ESG after COP30: the key outcomes and how businesses can drive progress

ESG after COP30: the key outcomes and how businesses can drive progress 

COP30 in Belém: a pivotal climate summit driving global action 

Every November, the UN’s annual climate change conference (COP) brings together governments, businesses, and civil society to assess progress and shape the next phase of global climate action.  

COP30, held in Belém, Brazil this November, was widely described as a “COP of implementation”, turning ambition into results. However, as we approach 2030, the deadline for Paris Agreement climate pledges, it showed that our current efforts are still falling short, and we must do more. 

Main takeaways from COP30

COP30 delivered several important outcomes, as explained below, including clearer indicators for measuring climate adaptation, greater recognition of Indigenous rights, and increased finance goals for vulnerable communities. However, major challenges remain: global emissions are still rising, no binding fossil fuel phase-out was agreed, and there are concerns about fossil fuel lobbyists taking part. 

So, what were the key developments and what can businesses take away from the conference? 

 

Global Goal on Adaptation: Belém Adaptation Indicators to support progress 

While we’re getting better at tracking climate progress, we’re still emitting more greenhouse gases than we should if we want to keep global warming to 1.5°C - or even 2°C - above pre-industrial levels (UNEP, 2025). At COP30, 59 optional indicators were adopted across industries such as water, agriculture, and health, to help measure and improve how we prepare for climate impacts. A two-year plan called the “Belém-Addis vision”, was agreed to refine these indicators so they’re easier for countries to use (IISD, 2025). 

The conference also stressed the urgent need to scale up investment in protecting the most vulnerable people and places from climate impacts. Rich nations were called on to at least triple adaptation finance by 2035, reflecting growing recognition that communities need far greater support to cope with rising heat, storms and flooding (WRI, 2025). Adaptation, which means strengthening the resilience of people, ecosystems and economies, remains underfunded, and although the commitment to triple finance is welcome, many developing countries were disappointed by the lack of stronger, near-term commitments. 

 

Fossil fuels: energy transition challenges at COP30 

Despite over 80 countries supporting a roadmap to transition away from fossil fuels, petrostates successfully fought to block this and the final COP30 agreement was scrubbed of any mention of fossil fuels. With a recent report from Kick Big Polluters Out (2025) indicating that 1 in 25 COP30 attendees were linked to fossil fuel groups, concerns over industry influence remain, particularly as efforts at COP continue to fall short of any binding phase-out commitment. In response to fossil fuels not making it into the formal COP30 decision, Colombia and the Netherlands announced that they will host the First International Conference on the Just Transition Away from Fossil Fuels next year, with the aim of pushing forward an implementation plan outside of the UN. 

 

Integrated Forum on Climate Change and Trade (IFCCT) and fair trade measures

Trade and climate impact are inexplicably linked, but geopolitical factors cause ongoing challenges. The final COP30 agreement encouraged fair application of trade rules, with annual discussions planned on how to support greater alignment between climate and trade policies. The Integrated Forum on Climate Change and Trade (IFCCT) is a new platform launched in parallel to COP30 as a forum to drive progress in this area (ODI Global, 2025). 

 

Protecting forests and indigenous stewardship 

The conference’s location highlighted the urgency for commitments to protect tropical forests, uphold indigenous land rights, and fund nature-based solutions such as the new Tropical Forest Forever Facility, which provides performance-based funding to countries that keep their forests standing (IISD, 2025). COP30 also underscored the role of Indigenous Peoples as stewards of the Amazon, with Brazil announcing 10 newly recognised Indigenous territories, an important step toward safeguarding communities whose land rights are essential for effective forest protection (COP30 Brasil 2025, 2025). 

 

Belém Action Mechanism: towards a just and inclusive low-carbon future 

COP30 set up the Belém Action Mechanism to help make extractive energy systems and polluting industries more sustainable, low-carbon, and fair for people and communities (IISD, 2025). Although no binding fossil fuel roadmap was agreed, the summit signalled momentum toward equitable transformation, even as its real impact will depend on how it is financed and implemented in the coming years. 

 

COP30 Business Takeaways: ESG, adaptation, and sustainable value chains 

With businesses playing a key role in supporting climate, nature, and social goals, what actionable steps can you take? 

  • Strengthen supply-chain due diligence to prevent deforestation 

  • Improve transparency and responsible sourcing 

  • Adopt circular approaches to reduce waste 

  • Invest in low-carbon and resilient technologies 

  • Consider workforce planning, reskilling, and social impacts as part of the move to a more sustainable, low-carbon, and climate-resilient business model. 

  • For those exposed to climate risks, integrate adaptation into broader business strategy, investment planning, and supply chains 

  • Integrate nature, inclusion, and climate risk into your ESG strategies and reporting 

 

To explore how ESGmark® can support your responsible business journey, or to request more information, get in touch with us today. 

 

Sources 

CarbonBrief (2025). COP30 key outcomes agreed at the UN climate talks in Belém. Available at: https://www.carbonbrief.org/cop30-key-outcomes-agreed-at-the-un-climate-talks-in-belem/  

C2ES (2025). What Comes After COP30? A Look at the Global Goal on Adaptation. Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, 7 November. Available at: 

https://www.c2es.org/2025/11/a-look-at-the-global-goal-on-adaptation-cop30/ 

COP30 Brasil 2025 (2025). Government of Brazil advances in the demarcation of ten Indigenous lands. [online] Cop30.br. Available at: https://cop30.br/en/news-about-cop30/government-of-brazil-advances-in-the-demarcation-of-ten-indigenous-lands. 

Edie (2025). COP30 updates. available at: https://www.edie.net/tag/cop30/ 

IISD (2025). Inside COP30: daily updates. Available at: https://www.iisd.org/events/inside-cop-30 

Kick Big Polluters Out (2025). RELEASE: Fossil fuel lobbyists flood COP30 climate talks in Brazil, with largest ever attendance share | Kick Big Polluters Out. [online] Kickbigpollutersout.org. Available at: https://kickbigpollutersout.org/Release-Kick-Out-The-Suits-COP30. 

ODI Global (2025). Trade at a turning point: why COP30’s new climate-trade forum could reshape global action. [online] ODI: Think change. Available at: https://odi.org/en/insights/trade-at-a-turning-point-why-cop30s-new-climate-trade-forum-could-reshape-global-action/. 

The Guardian (2025). COP30 key issues summary. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/live/2025/nov/22/cop30-climate-talks-deal-overtime-live-news 

UNEP (2025). Emissions Gap Report 2025. Available at: https://www.unep.org/resources/emissions-gap-report-2025 

WRI (2025). Key issues for COP30 and accelerating climate adaptation finance. Available at: https://www.wri.org/un-climate-change-conference-resource-hub/key-issues  

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