Introduction
The eleventh day of the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) will remain etched in the collective memory of the climate community—not for progress made in the negotiations, but for a dramatic event that shook the foundations of the Blue Zone. On the afternoon of Thursday, November 20, 2025, flames erupted and rose several meters high in one of the main pavilions, prompting a full and immediate evacuation of thousands of participants, including negotiators, ministers, and civil society representatives.
Amidst an atmosphere of anxiety and anticipation in the tropical heat of Belém, the incident revealed another side of the summit: a spirit of human solidarity, as everyone rushed to help one another. Although the fire was quickly contained without any injuries, this tangible, physical manifestation of the climate crisis—summarized by one delegate who remarked, "First flooding and now a fire—what a COP!"—overshadowed everything else and halted crucial negotiation sessions, most notably those concerning Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
2. Outcomes of Key Thematic Areas
2.1. Adaptation
On the second day of the High-Level Dialogue on Adaptation, it was emphasized that domestic public expenditure remains the main source of adaptation finance. The Green Climate Fund (GCF) noted that global adaptation finance has declined between 2022 and 2023, stressing that it should not be limited to grants and concessional loans. The discussion revolved around the need for a new commitment to triple adaptation finance by 2030 and the role of nature-based solutions in adaptation planning.
2.2. Just Transition
The third high-level ministerial roundtable on just transition featured calls to move away from "extractivism and injustice." Poland's experience in shifting jobs from the mining sector to the renewable energy sector was highlighted. The International Labour Organization (ILO) emphasized the importance of structured dialogues between the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the World Trade Organization (WTO), and the ILO to address the nexus of trade, environment, and workers' rights.
2.3. Finance
Disagreements arose over how to allocate USD 2 million from the Kyoto Protocol's International Transaction Log (ITL) Trust Fund. Most parties proposed transferring the amount to support the development of infrastructure for Article 6.2 {A mechanism for voluntary cooperation among countries to achieve their climate goals through the international transfer of mitigation outcomes}, while the Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDCs) and the Arab Group preferred to split it equally between Article 6.2 and response measures.
3. Institutional Arrangements
Disagreement continued over the adoption of the rules of procedure, specifically Rule 42 {The rule concerning voting in the rules of procedure}. The Presidency proposed to continue applying the draft rules while keeping the item on future agendas. The Arab Group supported this approach, while Youth NGOs (YOUNGOS) called for continued discussion to improve the effectiveness of the negotiation process.
4. Notes from the Corridors and Informal Sessions
A sense of anticipation prevailed in the corridors as delegates awaited the release of final draft texts. The afternoon fire halted all activities and caused significant concern, but it also demonstrated a spirit of solidarity among participants. Observers noted that the incident might affect the resolution of outstanding issues, especially the all-encompassing "Mutirão decision," which includes a controversial reference to fossil fuel phase-out roadmaps.
5. Table of Key Disagreements and Party Positions
6. The Role of Civil Society
Civil society played a prominent role in today's sessions:
Youth Organizations (YOUNGOS):* Strongly advocated for continuing the debate on the rules of procedure to ensure voices are not marginalized.
Indigenous Peoples Organizations:* Applauded the improvements to the draft decision on enhancing the participation of local communities and demanded respect for their rights in the context of the energy transition, especially concerning mining projects.
Farmers' Organizations:* Stressed the vital role of farmers in achieving food security and environmental management, calling for their support through climate finance.
