Simon Stiell, the UNFCCC Executive Secretary, shares insights on the key differences between COP leadership roles while expressing urgency shaped by personal experiences of Hurricane Beryl. Ed King, an experienced climate negotiations analyst, discusses the dynamic atmosphere of COP30, highlighting protests and the intricate nature of negotiations. He identifies finance, fossil fuels, and forests as the main fault lines, emphasizing the critical need for stronger commitments to bridge the gap between current national plans and scientific requirements.