- Global Carbon Emission Conditions
- COP30’s Role in Decarbonization
- Indonesia’s Position and Strategy
- Challenges and Controversies
The 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) takes place in Belém, Brazil, as a new chapter in climate negotiations aimed at keeping global temperature rise below 1.5°C. Unlike previous meetings, COP30 emphasizes carbon-related issues from emission levels and carbon trading to CO₂ removal technologies. This forum will convene more than 190 countries to revise their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and refine the framework of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
As pressure mounts toward the Net-Zero 2050 target, COP30 has the potential to become a turning point that determines the credibility of global climate mitigation commitments. This analytical article breaks down the current state of carbon emissions, COP30’s role in strengthening decarbonization, Indonesia’s strategies ahead of the conference, as well as the challenges and controversies surrounding the negotiation process.
Global Carbon Emission Conditions
Over the past two decades, global carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions have continued to rise unabated despite numerous climate agreements. Atmospheric CO₂ concentration in 2024 reached 421 ppm, far above the safe threshold of 350 ppm warned by scientists. Average global warming has now surpassed 1.1°C compared to the pre-industrial era, driving the frequency of extreme heatwaves, wildfires, and shifting rainfall patterns.
The remaining carbon budget to stay below 1.5°C is estimated to only last three to five more years at the current emission rate. Delayed decisions will gradually narrow the policy space for effective mitigation. This reality underscores that half-hearted action won’t suffice; countries must update their emission reduction targets with greater ambition and promptly enact binding policies.
COP30’s Role in Decarbonization
Source: Wikipedia
COP30 serves as a key platform for countries to revise and reinforce their climate commitments through updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). In this context, NDC revisions are not mere diplomatic formalities but strategic components to ensure measurable and verifiable emissions reductions. However, as of July 2025, only 25 out of 197 countries had submitted updated NDCs to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), representing roughly 20% of total global emissions.
This fact highlights the weak actual commitments ahead of COP30 and emphasizes the urgency for comprehensive reevaluation of decarbonization targets. Under these conditions, COP30 is expected to strengthen the implementation of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, a framework that enables cross-border carbon trading in a fair and transparent manner, while incentivizing countries that exceed their reduction targets.
Read more:
Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) a Strategy and Progress Towards Climate Goals
Indonesia’s Position and Strategy
Indonesia faces a dual challenge: being one of the largest emitters due to deforestation and peatland degradation, while also holding vast renewable energy potential. In its Second NDC, the government targets an emission reduction of 31.89% independently and up to 43.20% with international support by 2030. To meet this target, the main strategies include mangrove restoration and peatland rehabilitation, known as blue carbon as well as expansion of renewable energy such as solar and geothermal power.
In addition, the government is pushing the electrification of transport through fiscal incentives and the development of battery-charging infrastructure. Emissions analysis for Scope 1, 2, and 3 is also being tightened for carbon-intensive industries such as cement and steel. Climate financing availability and technology transfer remain critical points to translate these ambitious plans into real world action rather than mere planning documents.
Challenges and Controversies
Although COP30 carries an ambitious agenda, logistical and political challenges may reduce the effectiveness of negotiations. Limited accommodations in Belém hinder representatives from developing countries from participating fully in discussion sessions. This access gap raises concerns that voices from smaller and more vulnerable nations are not proportionately represented.
Meanwhile, the fossil fuel industry continues to maintain its influence by lobbying delegates and engaging PR firms that also represent coal sector clients. The conference infrastructure located in the heart of the Amazon rainforest has also drawn scrutiny. Difficult transportation access and limited facilities may divert delegates’ focus from substantive discussion to logistical problems.
Read more:
Fossil fuel | Meaning, Types, & Uses
The choice of a conservation area as the event venue has sparked protests from indigenous groups, who demand that their rights and traditional knowledge be included in environmental decision-making. These cases underline the importance of inclusive governance to ensure COP30 genuinely represents collective interests for the planet’s future.
COP30 holds a pivotal position in the global journey toward net-zero. To ensure the conference produces meaningful breakthroughs, countries must raise their NDC ambitions with targets that are verifiable and enforceable through domestic legal or regulatory mechanisms. The refinement of Article 6 must be accompanied by independent audit standards and the use of digital technologies, such as blockchain, to monitor carbon credit transactions in real time and prevent data manipulation.
Facing COP30 and achieving net-zero targets requires strategic support, from understanding carbon market regulations to selecting the right projects and planning credible offsets. Ensure your actions align with global standards by consulting with professional consultants in the field.
Author: Nadhif
Editor: Sabilla Reza
References:
UNFCCC. (2025). NDC Registry update: July 2025. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Retrieved from https://unfccc.int/NDCREG