New Delhi: The COP30 Presidency has said that four critical issues remain unresolved following its latest round of consultations with Parties, signalling that significant political differences persist ahead of the UN climate conference in Belem. The summary note, released on Monday, outlines continuing divergence on Article 9.1 of Paris Agreement, climate-related trade measures, the collective response to the 1.5°C gap, and the way forward on transparency reporting.
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The Presidency said the consultations were intended to help “transition from discussions on processes to concrete solutions and immediate action”, but the round of talks showed that countries remain far apart on several core agenda items.
On climate finance, the Presidency noted “strong, persistent divergence” on how to operationalise Article 9.1 of the Paris Agreement, which obligates developed countries to provide financial resources to developing nations. Parties remain split over whether the COP should establish a three-year work programme, whether such a programme should include burden-sharing, or whether the issue should instead be addressed through the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG).
Some Parties proposed a “Belem Roadmap”, while others opposed creating any new processes. The summary also highlights disagreement on whether Article 9.1 discussions should explicitly reference “developed-country Parties” or “Parties in a position to do so”, a recurring contention in climate finance negotiations.
The Presidency said there was also no convergence on how COP30 should address climate-related unilateral trade measures, an issue raised by several developing countries concerned about the implications of policies such as border carbon adjustments.
While some Parties called for UNFCCC-anchored guidelines or a process to assess the impacts of such measures on developing economies, others opposed expanding the mandate, arguing that trade matters should be handled in other international forums. A number of Parties stressed that climate-linked trade measures should not become disguised restrictions on trade, according to the note.
The Presidency reported divergent views on crafting a global response to the findings of last year’s Global Stocktake (GST), which warned that the world remains off track to keep 1.5°C within reach.
Options discussed ranged from adopting a “response plan”, to creating a new roadmap, to establishing annual review processes under the CMA. Others preferred limiting decisions to strengthening nationally determined contributions (NDCs), without adding new mandates. Many Parties said a collective response must reflect equity and common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR-RC).
Some Parties called for NDCs to be revisited within 12–18 months after COP30, while others opposed any such request.
Despite the historic submission of the first Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs) this year, the Presidency said Parties remain divided on how to advance the transparency framework. Views differ on whether future steps should include consideration of a synthesis report under the CMA or rely solely on established reporting and review procedures.
Parties also raised differing views on how the technical expert review process should evolve and how much guidance should be provided at COP30.
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The Presidency said it would continue to refine elements across all four areas and plans to release additional text before ministerial consultations. It emphasised that COP30 must become a “COP of Truth”, where Parties begin the transition from “negotiation to implementation” and take steps that are “commensurate with the urgency communicated by science”.
It said the Presidency will “continue to work with all Parties” to deepen convergence but warned that further political engagement is needed to resolve the remaining gaps ahead of COP30.
