On 16 December 2025, Diplomatic Courier, a global affairs media network, published an article by Naoyuki Okano (Programme Officer) reviewing the outcomes of the 2025 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP30). The op-ed argues that despite the failure to include a fossil fuel roadmap in the decision text, significant advances were made on rights–based climate action. These positive outcomes include the creation of the Belém Action Mechanism for Just Transition, the Belém gender action plan and the Belém Adaptation Indicators — the first–ever internationally agreed set of indicators for adaptation.
Excerpt:
The Presidency made concerted efforts to avoid the agenda disputes that have tended to delay negotiations at recent COPs by coordinating four tricky issues (finance, trade measures, 1.5℃ ambition, and transparency) through consultations. At the same time, the Presidency sought to bring to the negotiating table the roadmap for transitioning away from fossil fuels, which eventually became one of the most contested issues at COP30. Consequently, this COP may have disappointed many participants and reinforced the impression that progress within the climate regime remains painfully slow. Many observers called it a missed opportunity, including the failure to include a fossil fuel roadmap in the decision text. Nevertheless, significant advances were achieved, and a strong step toward rights–based climate action was taken.
The full article is available on the Diplomatic Courier website.
