There is no mistaking the vital importance of this year’s COP30 climate summit. The impacts of climate change are wreaking havoc on people and the planet, with 2024 declared as the warmest year on record. We have witnessed blistering heat waves, raging wildfires, catastrophic storms and floods devastating lives, economies, and ecosystems. Doubling down on action is an undeniable requisite.

Ten years on since the adoption of the Paris Agreement, we must see strong climate action and renewed commitments, imperative for putting us on a pathway to sharply reducing global emissions.

To ensure a liveable planet, WWF will be looking for urgent progress across each of the following areas:

• Ambitious, funded and actionable climate plans that will sharply cut global greenhouse gas emissions 
• A timetable for the phase out of coal, oil and gas, and scaling up of renewable energy solutions, like wind and solar
• Mobilisation of sufficient funding to scale up climate solutions, especially in developing countries 
• Making sure no-one is left behind by taking steps to ensure a just transition of energy and food systems  
• Commitments that enhance the resilience of people and ecosystems 

In Brazil, where COP30 is hosted this year, extreme rainfall has devastated the state of Rio Grande do Sul, and drought and wildfires have hit the Amazon. With every year action is delayed, the impacts grow more severe and the risk of irreversible tipping points for key natural ecosystems increases.   

Biodiversity - all living forms on earth - and climate are deeply interlinked. Protecting and restoring ecosystems and species is critical to tackling the climate crisis as they store carbon, but on the other side of the coin, biodiversity is both threatened by rising greenhouse gas emissions. 

This year, WWF wants to see a climate and nature workstream implemented that recognises nature as a climate ally; action to preserve our natural world must take place in parallel with action to reduce emissions. It is imperative that the voices of Indigenous Peoples and marginalised communities are fully engaged in these decision-making processes that affect them and help shape effective outcomes.
 

News and Press Enquiries

WWF has a number of experts available to provide commentary in multiple languages on topics ranging from what needs to happen at COP30 to deliver the energy transition to how to address the dual climate and nature crises.

To set up an interview with one of our experts, contact news@wwfint.org