Planetary scientists have warned President Lula that COP30 must act decisively, as the world stands at a crossroads between protecting people and life or the fossil fuel industry. In a statement on the state of negotiations, they highlighted the backdrop of “suffering for billions of people and rapidly approaching tipping points in the Amazon and the Tropical Coral Reef systems and many others.”
The scientists, including leading authorities from the Science Panel of the Amazon, United Nations University, and the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, stressed that emissions must start to bend next year and continue to fall steadily. They called for a reduction in CO2 emissions from fossil fuels by at least 5% per year to avoid unmanageable climate impacts.
This is the first time a COP presidency has involved scientists in the preparation of a climate conference, providing a pavilion for them to share findings and updates to negotiators. The scientists’ report says action needs to be accelerated, aiming for near-zero fossil fuel emissions by 2040, with no new fossil fuel investments and removal of all subsidies.
They emphasised that finance from developed to developing countries is essential for the credibility of the Paris Agreement, calling for predictable, grant-based support consistent with a just transition. Without scaling and reforming climate finance, developing countries cannot deliver the transitions needed for shared survival.
The scientists also warned that forests, once a major carbon sink, are turning into carbon sources due to climate change. COP30 needs to produce a roadmap that concurrently ends deforestation and phases out fossil fuels, with financial support, capacity building, and robust monitoring, ensuring forest protection is not used as offsets.
The day ended with the news that Turkey will host COP31, beating Australia. President Lula spent much of the day seeking common ground in negotiations, while COP president André Corrêa do Lago noted that most countries have a stake in the fossil fuel phaseout.
