ERM was pleased to have attendees at COP30 from our N and S American offices and they have prepared some insights from the event. COP30, held in Belém, Brazil, unfolded against a complex geopolitical backdrop but reinforced pragmatic optimism and a strong focus on solutions. For businesses, the summit highlighted five key takeaways.
First, implementation is now central. Governments and companies are expected to move beyond ambition to measurable outcomes, with practical roadmaps and investable national climate strategies (NDCs) seen as critical to operationalizing transition plans.
Second, clean energy initiatives gained traction, though supply-demand imbalances remain acute. Rising electricity needs, particularly from data centers, are outpacing grid capacity. New pledges, such as the “Belém 4x” commitment to quadruple sustainable fuel production and large-scale investments in energy storage and distribution, signal momentum but underscore the urgency of collaborative energy solutions.
Third, climate finance advanced. The Baku to Belém roadmap aims to mobilize $1.3 trillion for developing countries by 2035, while forest finance and carbon market initiatives highlight growing opportunities for private capital. Businesses face both pressure and potential in contributing to adaptation and nature-based solutions.
Fourth, the just transition emerged as a defining theme. Social equity, Indigenous rights, and workforce development were emphasized, with the Belém Declaration reframing climate action as inseparable from poverty reduction and human-centered priorities.
Finally, AI was spotlighted as both a challenge and opportunity. While driving energy demand, AI offers tools to cut emissions, enhance efficiency, and strengthen resilience.
Together, these outcomes underscore that businesses must stay engaged, aligning early with global ambition to capture opportunity in the evolving climate transition