Blog: A ragged end to COP30

COP30 closed 24 hours late with little of its ambition fulfilled. Jamie Williams, Islamic Relief’s Senior Policy Advisor for poverty reduction, has been following the negotiations. He explains why this has happened and what is needed next.

COP30 has come to a ragged end with the main issues undecided and parties to the convention less unified than ever.

This was inevitable. The COP process has become less and less forward looking. Instead of a vision of a world equitably enjoying the fruits of sustainable economic activity, security, empowerment and freedom from want – it can only see the crises that its previous inaction has made inevitable. Instead of a bright future, a terrible present and reckoning are upon us.

This has not happened by accident. In the absence of the biggest beneficiary of fossil fuel wealth this year, the petrostate polluters and fossil profiteers have been exposed in their unequivocal opposition to even mentioning the cause of this emergency.

Countries made rich and dependent on the continuation of the status quo have prevailed to protect their interests. They just needed to do nothing and  block everything. All too easy where only global consensus can legislate change.

Hope among the ashes of a failed COP

As the climate crisis has deepened, the crucial need for adaptation has been too slowly recognised. Where forward planning is most needed, even this has been starved of resources. At COP30 the same diet has been imposed on the implementation of those plans. Reacting to short term economic stringency –  a result of the debt-fuelled consumption and financial growth that has accelerated global heating – the rich countries have made it impossible to construct a framework around global targets for adaptation.

Countries, cities, regions and communities will be left to their own devices, only being able to respond to climate driven emergencies as they occur. At best they will get early warning of extreme weather events so that people can make to the hills – instead of considered planning so their homes and livelihoods can be protected and made resilient.

With increased displacement and migration, food insecurity and social disruption, those who can afford to get far enough up the hill will be able to look down and see the destruction their selfishness has wrought.

But this is not inevitable. Even as we leave the ashes of this failed COP there is still hope. A way of thinking, still shared by almost everybody in the world, is available to imagine and create a better future. As the certainty of a stable climate diminish the causes of its destruction will also fall away.

With faith, compassion, dignity and hope, our troubles can be overcome. We only have to will it so.