Experts say COP30 failed to deliver concrete commitments on fossil fuels and deforestation despite high expectations.
The COP30 summit, held in November 2025 in the Amazon city of Belém, failed to deliver a clear, time-bound roadmap to phase out fossil fuels - a key demand from climate scientists and vulnerable countries.
Despite its symbolic location in the heart of the rainforest, the final outcome avoided firm commitments on ending fossil fuel use and produced no concrete plan to halt deforestation.
Ümit Şahin, Coordinator of Climate Change Studies at Sabancı University’s Istanbul Policy Center, said COP30 was significantly weakened by the absence of the United States, following President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement and reverse policies supporting renewable energy.
While the summit agreed to establish a just transition mechanism for workers and to increase adaptation finance - aiming for at least $300 billion annually in public funding by 2035 - Şahin said the measures fell short of the scale of action required.
“Deforestation was one of COP30’s clearest failures,” Şahin said, adding that progress on adaptation finance, though welcome, does not match the rapidly growing needs of developing countries.
The 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) will be hosted by Türkiye from 9 to 20 November, 2026, mainly in Antalya, with a leaders’ summit planned in Istanbul. Competition between Türkiye and Australia to host the summit has already raised expectations for a more ambitious agenda.
Şahin said the Mediterranean setting is likely to bring issues such as heatwaves, forest fires and coastal climate risks to the forefront, while electrification, fossil fuel phase-out and stronger emissions reduction commitments are expected to dominate discussions.
As host and president of COP31, Türkiye’s own climate policies will also face close scrutiny. Şahin said credibility will depend on stronger domestic action, including an ambitious updated climate pledge and a clear timeline to phase out coal.
He noted that Türkiye’s national energy plans already point to a decline in coal use and that a complete coal phase-out by 2036 appears technically and economically feasible.
President Ilham Aliyev is holding his annual question-and-answer session with international journalists at the 4th Shusha Global Media Forum in Azerba...
The United States and Iran have significantly escalated their conflict, exchanging heavy missile and drone strikes across the Gulf region. Iran claim...
Tajikistan will reduce electricity exports and increase water reserves ahead of winter as the government seeks to improve domestic power supplies afte...
President Ilham Aliyev is holding his annual question-and-answer session with international journalists at the 4th Shusha Global Media Forum in Azerbaijan.
The United States and Iran have significantly escalated their conflict, exchanging heavy missile and drone strikes across the Gulf region. Iran claims it has once again closed the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route.
Tajikistan will reduce electricity exports and increase water reserves ahead of winter as the government seeks to improve domestic power supplies after last year’s seasonal shortages.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 13th of July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
The 4th Shusha Global Media Forum will bring together nearly 160 media leaders, experts and officials from 54 countries in Azerbaijan's historic city of Shusha on 13-14 July, to discuss journalism’s role in peacebuilding, restoring public trust and tackling challenges.
The U.S. has launched fresh strikes on Iran after Tehran targeted a container ship and said it had again closed the Strait of Hormuz. Iran also claimed to have expanded attacks on U.S. military facilities across the Gulf.
Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has promised to avenge the killing of his father, while U.S. President Donald Trump said Tehran and Washington had agreed to continue talks despite an escalation of hostilities this week.
Typhoon Bavi, the strongest storm to hit the eastern coast of mainland China this year, brought heavy rain, strong winds, flooding and landslides after making landfall in Zhejiang province on Sunday. More than 2.8 million people were evacuated to safety ahead of the storm.
China has maintained its highest-level rainstorm warning after Typhoon Bavi made landfall on the country's eastern coast, urging large-scale evacuations and emergency preparations across several provinces amid fears of severe flooding and landslides
Typhoon Bavi, the strongest storm to hit the eastern coast of mainland China this year, brought heavy rain, strong winds, flooding and landslides after making landfall in Zhejiang province on Sunday. More than 2.8 million people were evacuated to safety ahead of the storm.
China has maintained its highest-level rainstorm warning after Typhoon Bavi made landfall on the country's eastern coast, urging large-scale evacuations and emergency preparations across several provinces amid fears of severe flooding and landslides
As a wildfire swept through the mountains toward rural Andalusian villages near Los Gallardos in southern Spain, residents faced a life-or-death decision. They had to choose between sheltering from the smoke or risking evacuation through rapidly spreading flames.
Known for its rich history and mountain landscapes, Azerbaijan's Gabala district is attracting visitors with another seasonal highlight. Vast lavender fields are becoming a key attraction in the region's growing agritourism sector.
Typhoon Bavi churned southeast of Taiwan in the Pacific Ocean on Thursday, its winds easing overnight to just shy of 200 kph (124 mph), as authorities urged residents to stock up on supplies and brace for what could be the most powerful typhoon since 2024.
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