The Brazilian presidency of the COP30 presented a draft this Tuesday that seeks to triple public resources allocated to climate adaptation by 2030 or 2035.
As more and more natural disasters affect entire populations more frequently, the debate around climate adaptation intensifies, and COP30 is proof of that.
Climate adaptation is considered the set of actions and strategies implemented to reduce the vulnerability of populations, ecosystems, and infrastructures to the effects of climate change.
These actions differ from mitigation, which seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to address the causes of global warming.
In contrast, adaptation focuses on preparing for and responding to the consequences that are already occurring or are inevitable.
These measures can include issues such as:
- the construction of climate-resilient infrastructure;
- early warning systems for extreme events;
- changes in agricultural practices;
- the creation of climate shelters in cities, among others.
Adaptation is especially critical for more vulnerable or less developed countries and communities.
This is because they tend to suffer more intensely from the impacts of climate change, such as prolonged droughts, floods, extreme heat waves, or biodiversity loss.
Therefore, climate financing is a topic particularly linked to adaptation, as without accessible funds, vulnerable nations cannot respond to the consequences of climate change correctly.
In addition to this issue, the presented document also proposes creating roadmaps to overcome the dependence on fossil fuels.
COP30: more resources for climate adaptation
The base text for negotiations proposes to triple public financing compared to 2025 levels.
This proposal responds to a historical demand from developing countries and civil organizations.
In recent years, climate adaptation projects have received fewer resources than mitigation projects.
The difference is significant: while some seek to cushion the consequences of climate change, others address its direct causes.
In this sense, the specific reference to public finances is strategic for developing nations.
These countries seek to avoid private loans to face climate crises, as they have high interests that worsen their external debt.
COP30: the work program to implement commitments
Thus, Brazil proposes establishing a two-year work program to implement the goal of 300 billion dollars annually agreed upon at the previous COP.
However, the least developed countries consider this amount insufficient.
The draft addresses the gap between national commitments (NDC) and the goal of keeping warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius.
To close this gap, it proposes the “Belém Roadmap to 1.5”.
Goodbye hydrocarbons: another COP30 bet
In addition to climate adaptation, the document presented at the COP30 also revisits the commitment to energy transition and proposes creating a high-level roundtable.
The goal is to support countries in developing roadmaps to overcome their dependence on hydrocarbons.
The Brazilian Presidency placed this issue at the center of the negotiations.
However, it acknowledged that discussions are at an “initial stage” and that it is not possible to anticipate results in the face of opposition from some countries.
The Brazilian proposal lays the groundwork for this week’s negotiations.
The outcome will determine whether the international community moves towards a more just and ambitious climate financing.
Developing countries maintain their pressure for resources that do not increase their indebtedness.
The tension between climate ambition and economic capabilities sets the tone for these crucial conversations for the planet’s future.
