Make Me Smart The COP without the U.S.
Nov 20, 2025
Jennifer Haverkamp, a climate law expert and professor at Michigan Law School, shares insights on the ongoing COP30 in Brazil, notably marked by the absence of the U.S. She discusses the implications of U.S. absence for global climate initiatives and the critical debate surrounding climate finance—whether to focus on adaptation or emissions reductions. Haverkamp emphasizes that both strategies are vital and highlights the importance of a potential international methane pact while offering cautious optimism for ongoing multilateral efforts.
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COP30 Is An Implementation-Focused Summit
- COP30 is an implementation-focused meeting in the rhythm of the Paris Agreement's five-year stocktake cycle.
- Parties must submit updated nationally determined contributions and concentrate on how to implement and track progress.
Evacuation Can Stretch Final Negotiations
- Jennifer Haverkamp described how evacuations during final COP days slow negotiations because every minute counts.
- She predicts talks may spill into the weekend when disruptions occur.
Mixed Ambition On National Commitments
- Several major emitters like China submitted weaker commitments while others, such as India and Saudi Arabia, hadn't submitted new NDCs.
- The overall ambition of national commitments is a central focus of this COP.