If COP won’t lead, business and brands must step up
COP30 in Belém came to a close last weekend, and its conclusion was disappointing but not unsurprising. Whilst the pressure to speed up the fossil fuel phase out was ever mounting, COP30 didn’t deliver the roadmap it promised to and, in this failing, cemented its status as irrelevant in world conversations.
The fact that the world’s biggest climate change conference was unable to talk about oil, gas and coal further damaged its reputation on the world stage. Despite being held on the climate frontline, next to the Amazon in Brazil, it failed to deliver enough for those on the frontlines of the climate crisis.
However, despite this, there is significant progress being made elsewhere. These conversations and this positive progress are important for brands and business to pay attention to, as this is where the real momentum, and expectation on action is shifting.
For example, Colombia and the Netherlands are co-hosting the First International Conference for the Phase-Out of Fossil Fuels in 2026. The sole purpose of this is to advance international cooperation on transitioning away from fossil fuel extraction. It will be followed by a second convening led by Pacific nation states. This landmark conference was announced as COP was coming to a close. It shows leadership emerging from alternative avenues, and a positive, hopeful step towards change.
Equally, conversations outside of the main UN talks had impact. Support for a deforestation roadmap resulted in 92 backers, and Brazil launched the Tropical Forests Forever Facility. This investment fund will pay nations to keep trees, and halt deforestation which will save tropical forests and have a positive climate impact.
Elsewhere, C40 cities are currently moving five times faster than national governments current per-capita emissions reduction targets. Their work shows that it is possible to have a fossil-free future, and they are mobilising cities to ensure a transition a clean, green world despite the failings of world climate conferences.
For brands and business, these parallel forums show that regardless of the UN process, the world is taking action and moving to implementation, and they will need to keep up and respond appropriately.
UN climate chief Simon Stiell said that “COP30 showed that climate cooperation is alive and kicking.” And whilst the talks teetered on the verge of collapse for most of the conference, this can be said to be true, showing that it is possible for 194 states to co-operate and collaborate in a divided world.
Brazil wanted this to be the “implementation COP”, and whilst progress within the UN talks was small, it is the move from negotiations to implementation outside of the formal negotiations that we can take hope from. This is the real lesson from COP, for brands and businesses and beyond. Implementation and action is happening anyway, and stakeholders and consumers will be seeking proof rather than promises. Brands and businesses that demonstrate authentic commitment to the climate and the planet will be the ones that pave the way and stay ahead.
Photo by Ueslei Marcelino/COP30
