From crisis to hope, the Amazon’s call for climate justice defines Cop30 – RFI

Report on the 30th UN Climate Conference (Cop30) and Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: The Urgency of Climate Action for the 2030 Agenda

The 30th United Nations Climate Conference (Cop30), convened in Belem, Brazil, addresses the critical intersection of climate change and sustainable development. Global leaders and delegates are focused on the escalating human and environmental costs of climate change, which directly threaten the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The conference aims to accelerate global efforts to meet the targets of the 2015 Paris Agreement, a cornerstone of SDG 13 (Climate Action), and to chart a more equitable and sustainable future.

Climate Impacts on Vulnerable Nations: A Challenge to Multiple SDGs

Representatives from climate-vulnerable nations presented compelling evidence of how climate change is undermining progress across numerous SDGs. The testimonies highlighted the disproportionate burden carried by developing countries, which have contributed least to the climate crisis, raising critical issues of equity central to SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Testimonies from the Frontlines

• Haiti: Diplomat Smith Augustin reported on the devastation caused by recent hurricanes, which has severely impacted infrastructure and community resilience, directly challenging SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
• Kenya: Vice President Kithure Kindiki described catastrophic landslides and an altered cycle of droughts and floods, which threaten food security and livelihoods, thereby impeding progress on SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).
• Marshall Islands: Foreign Minister Kalani Kaneko detailed the impacts of rising sea levels, coral bleaching, and declining fish stocks, which jeopardize the nation’s existence and marine ecosystems, directly affecting SDG 14 (Life Below Water).

Global Commitments and Progress Towards SDG 7 and SDG 13

Positions of Major Economies

The conference highlighted divergent approaches among major economies regarding their commitments to climate action and sustainable energy. The African Union’s call for “climate justice” rather than charity underscores the need for robust international cooperation as outlined in SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

• China: Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang affirmed China’s commitment to accelerating its green transition through significant investments in renewable energy, contributing to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure).
• India: Envoy Dinesh Bahata stated that renewable sources now account for half of India’s energy capacity, marking a substantial advancement toward SDG 7. He also noted that developed countries have not met their own climate action responsibilities.
• United States: The absence of the US President and the nation’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement were criticized as a significant impediment to global progress on SDG 13.

Key Initiatives Fostering SDG 15 and SDG 17

Despite political challenges, the conference has produced tangible initiatives aimed at protecting vital ecosystems and creating economic frameworks for decarbonization. These collaborative efforts are prime examples of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) in action.

Rainforest Protection Fund

A major development was the launch of a global fund to protect rainforests, a critical measure for achieving SDG 15 (Life on Land). This initiative provides financial incentives for developing countries to preserve their forests.

1. Initial Pledges: The fund secured $5.5 billion on its first day.
2. Key Contributors: Pledges were made by Norway, France, Indonesia, and Germany.
3. Long-Term Goal: The fund aims to grow to $125 billion to protect global rainforests.

Global Carbon Market Harmonization

Brazil and the European Union announced a partnership with China and other nations to develop a global carbon market. By uniting fragmented emissions trading systems, this initiative aims to create powerful economic incentives for reducing emissions, thereby accelerating progress toward the goals of SDG 13.

Indigenous Peoples’ Role in Sustainable Development

Increased Representation and Advocacy

Cop30 has seen unprecedented participation from Indigenous delegates, with over 3,000 in attendance. This increased inclusivity is vital for ensuring that climate solutions are just and effective, reflecting the principles of SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). Indigenous leaders are advocating for their direct involvement in decision-making processes that affect their lands and livelihoods.

Ongoing Challenges to Indigenous Rights and SDG 15

Despite their increased presence, Indigenous groups continue to protest new oil and infrastructure projects that threaten their territories. These protests highlight the conflict between certain development models and the protection of biodiversity and Indigenous rights, which are essential for the successful implementation of SDG 15. The demonstrations serve as a reminder that sustainable development must respect and protect the rights and knowledge of local communities.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 13: Climate Action

• The entire article is centered around the Cop30 Climate Conference, directly addressing the urgent need to combat climate change and its impacts. It discusses rising sea levels, floods, hurricanes, droughts, and the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, all of which are core components of SDG 13.

SDG 15: Life on Land

• The conference is held in Belem, against the “backdrop of the Amazon rainforest.” A major initiative discussed is the creation of a new “rainforest protection fund designed to reward developing countries for preserving forests.” This directly relates to protecting, restoring, and promoting the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems. The protests by Indigenous groups against infrastructure projects threatening their lands also fall under this goal.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• The article highlights global cooperation as essential for tackling climate change. It describes the Cop30 summit as a gathering of “world leaders and delegates from across the globe.” Specific partnerships mentioned include the new rainforest protection fund with pledges from Norway, France, and Indonesia, and the plan by Brazil, the EU, and China to create a “global carbon market.”

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

• The transition to clean energy is presented as a key solution. The article mentions China’s pledge to “accelerate the green transition” through “massive investment in renewable energy” and India’s statement that “renewables now make up half of India’s energy capacity.”

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• The article emphasizes the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable nations. It quotes a Haitian diplomat saying, “Developing countries, and especially the small island states, are the least responsible for climate change.” The call for “climate justice” by the African Union and the increased inclusion of Indigenous delegates (from 170 to over 3,000) at the summit address the need to reduce inequality and empower marginalized groups in global decision-making.

SDG 14: Life Below Water

• The impact of climate change on marine ecosystems is explicitly mentioned. The foreign minister of the Marshall Islands describes a situation where “the sea rises, the coral dies and the fish stock leaves our shores for cooler waters,” connecting directly to the goal of conserving and sustainably using the oceans and marine resources.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 13: Climate Action

• Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters. This is evident in the descriptions of “deadly floods in Kenya,” “catastrophic landslides,” “rising seas in the Marshall Islands,” and the “devastation left by Hurricane Melissa” in Haiti, all of which highlight the need for increased resilience.
• Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. China’s pledge to “accelerate the green transition in all areas” and India’s progress in renewable energy demonstrate the integration of climate action into national plans. The Paris Agreement, mentioned multiple times, is the global framework for this target.
• Target 13.a: Implement the commitment by developed countries to mobilize climate finance. The new rainforest protection fund, which attracted “$5.5 billion in pledges” on its first day, is a direct example of mobilizing financial resources to assist developing countries with mitigation and adaptation actions.

SDG 15: Life on Land

• Target 15.2: Promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, and restore degraded forests. The “rainforest protection fund” is a key mechanism aimed at achieving this by providing financial incentives to “reward developing countries for preserving forests.”

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development. The Cop30 summit itself is a manifestation of this target. Furthermore, the initiative to create a “global carbon market” by Brazil, the EU, and China is a specific example of a multi-stakeholder partnership to address a global issue.
• Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships. The article notes the dramatic increase in participation from Indigenous delegates, highlighting a move towards more inclusive civil society partnerships in climate negotiations.

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

• Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. This is directly supported by the statement from India’s envoy that “renewables now make up half of India’s energy capacity” and China’s “massive investment in renewable energy.”

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Indicators for SDG 13 (Climate Action)

• Implied Indicator for Target 13.1: Number of people affected by disasters. The article mentions rescuers “searching for people missing after catastrophic landslides” in Kenya and the “devastation left by Hurricane Melissa” in Haiti, implying that human loss and impact are key metrics of climate-related disasters.
• Implied Indicator for Target 13.2: Greenhouse gas emissions. The article refers to the goal of keeping “global warming below the 1.5 degrees Celsius goal,” which is directly measured by GHG emissions. It also identifies China as the “world’s biggest carbon emitter.”
• Indicator for Target 13.a: Amount of financial resources mobilized for developing countries. The article provides a specific figure: “$5.5 billion in pledges” for the rainforest fund, with a long-term goal of “$125 billion.”

Indicators for SDG 15 (Life on Land)

• Implied Indicator for Target 15.2: Progress towards sustainable forest management. The amount of funding mobilized and disbursed through the new rainforest protection fund serves as a direct financial indicator of progress in preserving forests.

Indicators for SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)

• Indicator for Target 7.2: Renewable energy share in the total energy capacity. The article explicitly states a figure for India: “renewables now make up half of India’s energy capacity.”

Indicators for SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)

• Implied Indicator for Target 10.2: Participation of marginalized groups in decision-making. The article provides a quantitative measure of increased inclusion by stating that “More than 3,000 Indigenous delegates are expected to take part – a dramatic increase from just 170 at last year’s summit.”

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: rfi.fr