Originally posted in The Daily Star on 4 December 2025
The UN Climate Conference COP30, held from November 10-21 in Belém, Brazil, concluded with a mix of hope and disappointment. The conference was described beforehand as the “Implementation COP.” Many, including climate-vulnerable countries like Bangladesh, expected COP30 to deliver concrete actions from empty promises by finally translating money, policies, and clear plans into climate commitments, but no major breakthrough was achieved, particularly in phasing out fossil fuels and advancing climate finance. However, new platforms for cooperation and some valuable opportunities were created, which can benefit countries already experiencing severe impacts from rising temperatures, storms, sea-level rise, and livelihood losses.
Three major tensions shaped almost every part of the conference. First, over 80 countries wanted a clear global plan to phase out fossil fuels, but a few powerful producers blocked it, so the final agreement made no commitment to ending fossil fuels. Second, developing countries said they cannot cut emissions or adapt to climate impacts without reliable financial support from richer nations, but participating countries could not agree on how much money should be provided or by when. Third, poorer, climate-vulnerable nations raised concerns about fairness, fearing that stringent climate actions might slow their economic growth even though they contributed least to the crisis.
Despite these tensions, one key outcome of COP30 was the launch of a two-year Climate Finance Work Programme to advance the “Baku-to-Belém Roadmap,” which aims to mobilise at least $1.3 trillion annually for developing countries by 2035. Of this, $300 billion should be provided by public finance from developed nations under Article 9.1 of the Paris Agreement. Although not legally binding, the goal sends a strong political signal that large-scale funding is essential. Without substantial financial support, vulnerable countries cannot adapt to worsening climate impacts or transition to cleaner energy. For countries like Bangladesh, which depend on external support for adaptation, this commitment to finance is significant, even if it remains uncertain.
Adaptation was a major focus at COP30 as climate impacts are already causing severe damage. The conference agreed to triple global adaptation finance by 2035, but many vulnerable countries were disappointed, wanting the target to be met by 2030. They argued that adaptation cannot wait while storms, floods, droughts and heatwaves worsen each year. The lack of a clear baseline for measuring “tripling” also weakens the pledge. Still, recognising the need to scale up adaptation is important. Bangladesh spends heavily on resilience, but its budget is insufficient, making international support vital for embankments, housing, crops and early warning systems.
COP30 also adopted 59 global indicators to help track progress on the Global Goal on Adaptation. These indicators cover finance, technology, capacity-building and social inclusion. For the first time, there is a gender-responsive adaptation indicator that recognises that climate impacts differ for women, men, children, and older people. While the adoption of these indicators is a step forward, experts warn that last-minute political compromises weakened their quality. Some indicators may be too vague to use effectively in national planning. Bangladesh and similar countries should still take advantage of the indicators by aligning them with their national adaptation plans. If appropriately used, these indicators can strengthen the case for receiving more adaptation finance from international sources.
The biggest disappointment for climate-vulnerable countries was the failure of COP30 in adopting a roadmap for phasing out fossil fuels. Scientific evidence indicates that the world cannot limit global warming threshold to 1.5 degrees Celsius without rapidly reducing fossil fuel use. However, in place of a phase-out plan, the conference launched two voluntary initiatives, namely, the Belém Mission to 1.5 degrees Celsius and a Global Implementation Accelerator. These initiatives aim to help countries implement their national climate plans and share best practices. But they do not require any country to reduce fossil fuel use. For countries like Bangladesh, whose energy security depends on imported fossil fuels, this global uncertainty creates challenges. A delayed transition at the global level affects energy prices, investment patterns, and the cost of renewable technologies.
A positive outcome of COP30 was the creation of a Just Transition Mechanism, which aims to help countries shift from high-carbon to low-carbon economies in a fair and socially balanced way. It recognises that workers, farmers and vulnerable groups must not be left behind in the energy transition. This is especially relevant for developing countries where millions depend on climate-sensitive sectors such as agriculture, fisheries and small industries. For Bangladesh, a just transition could support better planning for cleaner industries, renewable energy jobs and modern skills training for youth. If implemented well, it can help protect communities during the shift away from fossil-fuel-dependent growth models.
The conference also placed renewed attention on forests, land and nature-based solutions. However, the results were limited. Despite being held in the Amazon region, COP30 failed to establish a binding global plan to stop deforestation. The final text only “highlighted” the importance of halting forest loss by 2030. Yet, some encouraging announcements came outside the formal negotiations, including new pledges for forest finance and stronger recognition of Indigenous Peoples. For Bangladesh, protected by the Sundarbans mangrove forest against cyclones and storm surges, nature-based solutions are not optional, but they are essential. This renewed focus on forests can help attract more investment into mangrove restoration, coastal greenbelts, river conservation and biodiversity protection.
Another notable dimension of COP30 was the linkage between climate policy, global trade, and social inclusion. For the first time, trade issues were formally taken up at the COP. Countries agreed to hold three dialogues on how trade measures, including border carbon adjustments, may affect climate action. This is critical for export-dependent countries like Bangladesh. As global markets move towards greener supply chains, Bangladesh will have to adopt cleaner production standards to remain competitive. COP30 also updated the Gender Action Plan, strengthening requirements for gender-responsive climate action. This echoes the reality that women and girls face different and often heavier climate burdens, especially in rural and low-income contexts.
Although COP30 revealed serious gaps between scientific urgency and political action, leaving vulnerable countries exposed to rising seas, deadly heat, water shortages and destructive floods, it should not be dismissed as a failure. The new finance programme, adaptation indicators, just transition mechanism and attention to trade and gender offer frameworks that countries can build upon. However, this global progress will only matter for Bangladesh and other climate-vulnerable countries if national governments act decisively through strengthening adaptation plans, expanding green industries, protecting ecosystems and preparing workers for a low-carbon future.
Dr Fahmida Khatun is executive director at the Centre for Policy Dialogue. Views expressed in this article are the author’s own.
