COP30’s first week ends without agreement on key issues kept under Presidential Consultations.
Deep divides persist over finance flows, unilateral trade measures and the 1.5°C implementation gap.
Developing nations push for a binding plan on Article 9.1 as the Brazilian Presidency enters a critical second week.
At the end of the first week of the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, on November 15, 2025, negotiators in Belem, Brazil left the venue with no clarity on some of the most politically charged issues placed under Presidential Consultations, particularly on the question of finance flows from developed to developing countries and on climate-related unilateral trade restrictions. After nearly 15 hours of closed-door discussions over six days, countries remain deeply divided. Any breakthrough now rests on the second week.
Developing countries want the two-week process to deliver a legally binding action plan on implementing Article 9.1 of the Paris Agreement, a top priority for the Global South and small island nations. Article 9.1 relates to the legal obligations of developed country Parties to provide financial resources to assist developing country Parties in their mitigation and adaptation efforts.
There is a tough task cut out for the Brazilian Presidency this week, with consultations continuing on the four contentious issues:
Implementation of Article 9.1 of the Paris Agreement
Promoting international cooperation and addressing concerns with climate-change-related trade-restrictive unilateral measures
Responding to the synthesis report on nationally determined contributions (NDC)
Synthesis of biennial transparency reports (BTR)
The four issues were left out of the negotiating agenda adopted on the first day of the two-week climate summit, and discussions have since taken place in separate Presidential Consultations.
On November 15, COP30 President André Corrêa do Lago told journalists that, over the past two days, Parties and groups had shared their vision under the themes of United in celebration of the 10-year anniversary of the Paris Agreement; from negotiations to implementation, Paris Agreement policy cycle fully in motion; responding to urgency, accelerating implementation, solidarity and international cooperation.
He said that a summary of countries’ views would be published on November 16, 2025, which would form the basis of any decision.
Implementation of Article 9.1 was proposed for addition to the agenda by the Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDC) bloc, which includes India. In the Presidential Consultations, India, on behalf of the LMDCs, has called for a three-year work programme, running until 2028, on Article 9.1. The proposal is supported by several Parties, including the Arab Group, the African Group of Negotiators, Least Developed Countries, China, Morocco and South Africa.
One source familiar with the negotiations told Down To Earth that many developing countries feel they cannot leave Belém without securing a finalised process on “the finance issue”. Parties have highlighted the “implementation” gap that needs to be narrowed.
India, on behalf of the LMDCs, has also called for agreement on a common accounting methodology for reporting under Article 9.1.
Meanwhile, the European Union (EU) says that while it acknowledges the importance of the role of public finance — and of Article 9.1 — in accelerating implementation for developing countries, it does not agree with framing the solution in the form of a “work programme”.
Developing-country blocs have also called for an immediate “cease” to such unilateral trade measures (UTM), which they say unfairly tax developing countries, undermine multilateralism and contradict the principles of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities. Parties have urged the launch of an annual dialogue on UTMs to avoid such measures in future.
However, developed countries and blocs such as Japan and the EU have argued that the issue should be confined to the World Trade Organization.
The other two issues under consultation include the status report on NDCs and addressing the 1.5°C emissions ambition and implementation gap; and the synthesis of BTR, the main instrument through which Parties communicate progress towards their NDCs, as well as their greenhouse gas emissions, adaptation efforts, and support provided or received. These are priorities for small island nations and developed-country blocs such as the EU.