World Insights: Stronger South-South cooperation urged at COP30 to advance global climate governance – Xinhua

Report on the 30th UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

• The 30th UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belem, Brazil, is a critical platform for advancing global climate governance, with a significant focus on South-South cooperation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• The conference highlights the leadership of Global South nations, particularly Brazil and China, in driving climate action in line with SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
• Discussions emphasize the need for concrete actions and financial commitments to support developing nations, directly addressing SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
• The absence of high-level U.S. representation has drawn criticism and reinforced the imperative for alternative leadership in global climate initiatives.

Advancing SDG 13: Climate Action through Global South Leadership

Calls for Accelerated Implementation and Accountability

1. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres designated COP30 as a potential “turning point” to initiate a decade of accelerated climate action and delivery.
2. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva advocated for a shift from rhetoric to tangible results, proposing a UN governance mechanism to ensure compliance with climate commitments.
3. The conference underscores the urgency of fulfilling the Paris Agreement, with a focus on updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) that support the overarching goals of SDG 13.

The Role of Developed vs. Developing Nations

• Criticism was directed at the United States for its high-level absence, with Colombian President Gustavo Petro highlighting the historical responsibility of major emitters in the climate crisis.
• Experts noted that insufficient action from developed nations has catalyzed the Global South to pursue self-driven energy transitions and climate finance solutions, reinforcing the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities central to SDG 13.

Strengthening SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals through South-South Cooperation

Brazil’s Leadership and Regional Initiatives

• As the host nation, Brazil is actively promoting collaborative efforts to protect the Amazon rainforest, a critical action for SDG 15 (Life on Land).
• President Lula emphasized that joint development of renewable energy in Latin America and Africa can simultaneously address climate change and advance SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

China’s Contribution to Global Climate Governance

1. Commitment to NDCs: China submitted its comprehensive 2035 NDCs, covering all greenhouse gases across its economy, setting a benchmark for climate ambition.
2. Bilateral and Multilateral Cooperation: By October 2025, China had signed 55 memoranda of understanding on climate change cooperation with 43 developing countries, exemplifying the spirit of SDG 17.
3. Knowledge Sharing: China is hosting “China Pavilion” side events at COP30 to share expertise on carbon markets, low-carbon technology, and pathways to carbon neutrality, contributing to global capacity-building in line with SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
4. Model for Green Transition: Scholars recognize China as a key driver of the global green transition through its focus on innovation-driven development.

Addressing Climate Finance and Inequality: A Focus on SDG 10

Mobilizing Financial Resources for Developing Nations

• A key demand articulated by the UN Secretary-General is the establishment of a clear roadmap to mobilize 1.3 trillion U.S. dollars annually by 2035 for developing countries.
• This financial mobilization is essential for an equitable transition and is fundamental to achieving SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by ensuring that climate action does not disproportionately burden the most vulnerable nations.
• The push for self-driven climate finance solutions within the Global South represents a strategic move to overcome historical dependencies and foster sustainable economic development, contributing to SDG 1 (No Poverty).

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

SDG 13: Climate Action

This goal is central to the entire article, which reports on the 30th UN Climate Change Conference (COP30). The conference’s purpose is to advance global climate governance and accelerate action against climate change.

1. Relevant Targets:

   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. The article directly discusses this through the mention of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which are the core of national climate action plans under the Paris Agreement. It notes, “fewer than one-third of the parties to the Paris Agreement had submitted or announced updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) that include 2035 targets,” highlighting the importance and current status of this target.
   • Target 13.a: Implement the commitment undertaken by developed-country parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to a goal of mobilizing jointly $100 billion annually by 2020 from all sources to address the needs of developing countries. The article references a new, more ambitious financial goal, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calling for “a clear roadmap to mobilize 1.3 trillion U.S. dollars annually for developing countries by 2035.” This directly addresses the principle of climate finance for developing nations.

2. Relevant Indicators:

   • Indicator (related to 13.2.1): The number of countries that have communicated or updated their NDCs. The article provides a specific, albeit general, metric: “fewer than one-third of the parties” have submitted their 2035 NDCs, while explicitly stating that “Beijing has submitted its 2035 NDCs.”
   • Indicator (related to 13.a.1): The amount of financial resources mobilized per year. The article proposes a clear quantitative indicator for future progress: “$1.3 trillion U.S. dollars annually for developing countries by 2035.”

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The article heavily emphasizes the theme of international cooperation, particularly South-South cooperation, as a key mechanism for achieving climate goals.

1. Relevant Targets:

   • Target 17.6: Enhance North-South, South-South and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology and innovation. The article’s main theme is the call for “stronger South-South cooperation to advance global climate governance.” It highlights China’s role in this, noting its contributions “particularly through South-South cooperation.”
   • Target 17.9: Enhance international support for implementing effective and targeted capacity-building in developing countries to support national plans to implement all the sustainable development goals, including through North-South, South-South and triangular cooperation. China’s actions, such as signing “55 memoranda of understanding on South-South cooperation to address climate change with 43 developing countries,” are a direct example of implementing this target.

2. Relevant Indicators:

   • Indicator (related to 17.6.1): Number of science and/or technology cooperation agreements and programmes between countries, by type of cooperation. The article provides a precise number: “55 memoranda of understanding on South-South cooperation” signed by China with “43 developing countries.”

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

The transition to renewable energy is presented as a critical solution for both climate action and economic development in the Global South.

1. Relevant Targets:

   • Target 7.a: By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology, including renewable energy… and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology. The article highlights this through President Lula’s comments on “collaborative efforts to develop renewable energy” and his praise for Brazil-China cooperation, stating that “China has become a model in advancing green transition through technological innovation.”

2. Relevant Indicators:

   • Indicator (Implied): The number and scale of international cooperative projects in renewable energy. While not quantified, the article implies this indicator by referencing “Brazil-China cooperation in renewable energy” and broader “collaborative efforts to develop renewable energy” in Latin America and Africa.

SDG 15: Life on Land

The protection of vital ecosystems, specifically the Amazon rainforest, is mentioned as a key area for international climate cooperation.

1. Relevant Targets:

   • Target 15.2: By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally. Although the 2020 deadline has passed, the goal remains relevant. The article states that “Brazil has already invited multiple countries to join in protecting the Amazon rainforest,” which directly aligns with the objective of this target.

2. Relevant Indicators:

   • Indicator (Implied): The number of international partnerships formed for the protection of specific ecosystems. The article points to this by mentioning Brazil’s invitation to “multiple countries to join in protecting the Amazon rainforest.” Progress could be measured by the number of countries that accept this invitation and the scope of their commitments.

Summary of Findings

Source: english.news.cn