ACDI Reflections from COP30: Adaptation Decisions, and Youth Leadership

ACDI delegates returned from COP30 in Belém, Brazil, with powerful insights into a climate summit defined by both technical progress and the lived realities of climate change in the Amazon. At ACDI’s post-COP Coffee Hour, Luckson Zvobgo, Britta Rennkamp and youth representative Catherine Dunn shared their perspectives on the negotiations, political dynamics, and frontline experiences that shaped this year’s COP. 

COP30 had an ambitious agenda, continuing the negotiations in Baku to increase climate finance necessary to achieve the global climate goals. COP 30 was the first UNFCCC conference hosted in the Amazon basin, a region central to global climate regulation. As Britta Rennkamp noted, the location was “symbolic and strategic,” exposing negotiators to direct contact with the consequences of deforestation, wildfires, and indigenous land pressures. 

Brazil’s political context strongly shaped the event. Under President Lula’s renewed environmental leadership, the event was much more accessible to civil society participation than the last three COPs in Egypt, the UAE and Azerbaijan.  

The so-called “mutirão” invited the nations to contribute to a “collective effort” as the term translates from indigenous languages into the COP’s final declaration. Protests, indigenous ceremonies and cultural events were common sights in Belém’s Green Zone and the surrounding city. Extreme heat, heavy rainfall and flash flooding constantly reminded the participants of the region’s vulnerability.  

COP30 also marked the deadline for the submission of the second round of Nationally Determined Contributions. These national climate plans set out how countries aim to contribute to achieving the global temperature, finance and adaptation goals. The combined submissions of 113 parties project a 12% emission reduction by 2034, according to the UNFCCC. UNEP’s emissions gap report translates this trajectory to aim for 2.3- 2.5 C warming, as opposed to the current pathway to 2.8 °C, well beyond our goal to keep warming to 1.5 - 2 °C.  

Figure 1: To illustrate the projected emission range from before the Paris Agreement, the range of the upper three SSP scenarios (either no or very moderate climate policies) is depicted, namely including SSP4-6.0, SSP3-7.0 and SSP5-8.5 as presented in the Working Group III contribution to the IPCC Assessment Report (see Technical Appendix available at https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement/nationally-determinedcontributions-ndcs/2025-ndc-synthesis-report) (Source: https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/message_to_parties_and_observers_ndc_synthesis_report_update.pdf). 

Key negotiation outcomes: Adaptation and finance 

• Global Goal on Adaptation Indicators adopted 

The most significant adaptation outcome was the adoption of 59 global indicators linked to the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA). These indicators provide, for the first time, a framework for assessing global progress across themes such as water, food systems, ecosystems and climate information. ACDI has been at the forefront of supporting GGA indicator implementation, contributing technical research to strengthen methodologies, data systems and national–global alignment. 

However, as Luckson Zvobgo explained, many technically robust indicators were watered down during negotiations. A major concern is the absence of timelines for developing the metadata and methods needed to operationalise the indicators, which risks undermining the quality and comparability of the 2026 Biennial Transparency Reports. 

• National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) 

After three years of stalled negotiations, COP30 finally adopted a decision on NAP implementation support. While modest, it represents a much-needed procedural breakthrough. 

• Adaptation finance 

COP30’s call to “triple adaptation finance by 2035” drew cautious responses. Without a specified baseline, the commitment risks being largely symbolic. Even optimistic projections fall short of the hundreds of billions required annually to meet global adaptation needs. 

• Youth mobilisation 

UCT youth delegate Catherine Dunn brought a human-centred perspective to the discussion, highlighting experiences that do not appear in negotiation summaries but deeply influenced the character of COP30. 

Catherine described a COP where indigenous leadership was highly visible. The Indigenous Peoples’ March, which drew tens of thousands into the streets of Belém, was one of her most memorable experiences. Sessions at the People’s Summit highlighted land stewardship, traditional knowledge, and calls for genuine protection of the Amazon. 

Catherine participated in youth panels, moderated discussions, and collaborated with global youth networks, including YOUNGO and UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited. Supported by the Brazilian Presidency’s youth programme, she joined almost 100 young leaders from across the world. 

“Youth voices felt louder and clearer this year,” she reflected. “We weren’t there just to observe, we were there to shape the conversation.” 

• South Africa’s participation 

South Africa did not host a pavilion at COP30, a departure from previous years. This reduced opportunities for public events, networking and showcasing national work. Nonetheless, South African negotiators remained active in key negotiation streams, supported by coordination meetings attended by observers and youth. 

Catherine emphasised that meaningful youth engagement with delegations needs to begin before COP, through national consultations, submissions and policy dialogues. 

• The reflections offered several implications for research and engagement: 

• Building youth capacity and participation: Training, policy literacy and structured engagements with government can enhance youth roles in future COPs. 

• Preparing for COP32 in Ethiopia: Africa’s turn to host provides a strategic opportunity to elevate African research, climate justice narratives and regional collaboration. 

• Strengthening science–policy translation: UCT’s observer status remains a valuable channel for bridging academic evidence and negotiation processes. 

As Catherine concluded, “The Amazon reminded us that climate change is about people, places and futures. What happens next depends on what we do at home in our institutions, our communities and our research.”