The Amazonian city of Belém, in Brazil, will be the center of global attention this year regarding climate change. However, looking ahead to the beginning of 2025, there are five key points of the climate crisis to consider in order to organize and understand a little better.
Although COP30 will take place in November 2025, there will be many opportunities before that to make significant progress on climate-related issues.
This ranges from astonishing levels of plastic pollution to financing the transition to a cleaner global economy.
1. Can the 1.5-degree target be sustained?
“Keeping the 1.5º target alive” was the UN’s slogan for several years. The aim is to ensure that the global average temperatures do not exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels by the end of the century.
The scientific consensus is that a lack of action would have catastrophic consequences, especially for the so-called “frontline states.” This group includes developing island nations that could disappear underwater as sea levels rise.
At COP30, the UN climate conference scheduled to take place between November 10 and 21, 2025, mitigation (in other words, actions and policies designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions contributing to rising temperatures) will be a key issue.
2. It is imperative to protect nature
Holding COP30 in the region of the Amazon rainforest in Brazil has symbolic importance.
The event recalls the early days of international efforts to protect the environment. The crucial “Earth Summit,” which led to the establishment of three environmental treaties on climate change, biodiversity, and desertification, was held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992.
Moreover, the site also highlights the role that nature plays in the climate crisis. The rainforest is a huge carbon sink, a system that absorbs and stores CO2. It is one of the most harmful greenhouse gases.
Thus, it prevents it from entering the atmosphere, where it essentially contributes to global warming.
3. Financing: Who will pay for all of this?
Financing has long been a complex issue in international climate negotiations. This was particularly addressed at COP29 in Baku.
Developing countries argue that rich nations should contribute much more to projects and initiatives that allow them to move away from fossil fuels.
The resistance from rich countries points to the fact that fast-growing economies like China (now the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases) should also pay their share.
At COP29 in Azerbaijan, a significant breakthrough was achieved with the adoption of an agreement to triple the amount of climate financing paid to developing countries, to $300 billion per year, by 2035.
The agreement is a definite step forward, but the final amount is much less than the $1.3 trillion that climate experts say these countries need to adapt to the crisis.
Environmental and climate issues will be addressed, and possible solutions such as green taxation, carbon pricing, and subsidies will be put on the table.
4. Laying the groundwork: climate justice
When the focus of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) turned to climate change last December, the moment was hailed as historic in terms of the legal obligations of States under international law.
Vanuatu, a Pacific island state particularly vulnerable to the crisis, requested an advisory opinion from the Court to clarify the obligations of States regarding climate change.
Over a two-week period, 96 countries and 11 regional organizations participated in public hearings before the Court, including Vanuatu and a group of other Pacific island states. Additionally, major economies like China and the United States were also present.
The Court will deliberate for several months before issuing its opinion on the matter. Although this opinion will not be binding, it is expected to guide the future of international climate law.
5. Plastic pollution
The UN-convened talks to address the global epidemic of plastic pollution came close to an agreement during the negotiations in Busan, South Korea.
Significant progress was made during the November 2024 talks.
This was the fifth round of negotiations following the 2022 resolution of the UN Environment Assembly, calling for a legally binding international instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment.
An agreement is needed on three fundamental areas: plastic products, including the issue of chemicals; sustainable production and consumption; and financing.
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