UNITED NATIONS, September 24 (WSH) — Leaders from nearly 100 countries announced or reinforced national climate commitments on Wednesday at a high-level UN summit, signaling renewed determination ahead of November’s COP30 conference in Belém, Brazil.
The meeting, co-hosted by Secretary-General António Guterres and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, marked a turning point in global climate ambition. Major economies including China, Nigeria, and members of the European Union unveiled economy-wide targets to slash emissions, while others pledged bold action on renewables, forest protection, and methane reductions.
Urgency and Science
Top climate scientists Johan Rockström and Katharine Hayhoe warned that global warming is accelerating, with average annual temperatures surpassing the 1.5°C threshold last year. Still, both stressed that the goal remains achievable through rapid clean energy deployment, food system reform, and stronger targets.
“We cannot prevent this catastrophe alone. But together, we can,” said Hayhoe.
Guterres: ‘New Plans Must Go Further’
Guterres praised progress under the Paris Agreement but urged countries to submit new, more ambitious climate plans for 2035, covering all emissions and sectors. He outlined five key priorities: scaling clean energy, slashing methane, conserving forests, cutting heavy industry emissions, and ensuring climate justice for developing nations.
“COP30 must conclude with a credible global response plan to put us back on track,” he said.
Brazil, China, and Europe Step Up
President Lula underscored Brazil’s commitment to cut emissions by up to 67 per cent and to end deforestation by 2030. China’s President Xi Jinping pledged a 7–10 percent cut in economy-wide emissions from peak levels by 2035, alongside massive growth in wind, solar, and electric vehicles.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reported that EU emissions have fallen nearly 40 per cent since 1990, and promised continued global leadership in climate finance, mobilizing up to €300 billion for clean energy worldwide.
Voices from the Vulnerable
Prime Minister Johnny Briceño of Belize reminded delegates that for small island and vulnerable nations, the 1.5°C target is “a threshold between hope and hardship.” Belize pledged to expand renewable power to 80 per cent of domestic use by 2035 and plant one million trees, but he stressed that ambition must be matched with predictable finance and technology access.
Toward COP30
With just weeks to go before COP30, President Lula asked whether the world will arrive in Belém “with its homework done.” The summit’s cascade of new pledges suggests momentum is building, but leaders and experts agree that only decisive follow-through can determine whether the world can still secure a livable future.
