As world leaders, negotiators and civil society gathered in Belém, Brazil for COP30, the Scottish Parliament’s Cross-Party Group on International Development met to explore the challenges and opportunities this pivotal moment presents for the international community, and the role Scotland can play. The meeting brought together experts joining both in person and live from the COP, sharing their insights on the negotiations and Scotland’s role in advancing climate justice.
Simon Anderson of the International Institute for Environment and Development set out the context for this year’s conference. A decade on from the Paris Agreement, global temperatures are still projected to increase between 2°C and 3°C – below the 2015 prediction of 4°C, but still far above the 1.5°C target. Simon highlighted the roadmap developed by the COP29 and COP30 presidencies to mobilise USD $1.3 trillion annually in climate finance, alongside key negotiation areas including strengthened national climate plans, clearer investment pathways, finalising rules on global carbon markets, and ensuring fair and inclusive transitions.
Live from Brazil, Julius Ng’oma of Malawi’s Civil Society Network on Climate Change (CISONECC) spoke about his role as the Executive Officer for the Chair of the Least Developed Countries Group of climate negotiators at the COP. Julius underlined the urgent need to triple grant-based adaptation finance, resource National Adaptation Plans, and ensure leadership from high-income countries – particularly on establishing mechanisms for a Just Transition.
Also joining from the conference, Ben Wilson of SCIAF described a worrying global rise in climate scepticism at the same time as climate shocks are intensifying. He emphasised Scotland’s important leadership role, particularly on Loss and Damage, and noted that while USD $250m is now available for projects, this remains far below what is needed. Civil society is also watching closely for progress on the Belem Action Mechanism for Just Transition (known as BAM), to require countries to take concrete steps toward a just transition and ensure social protection and decent jobs as part of the move away from fossil fuels and decarbonising economies.
Louise Davies from Scottish Fair Trade reflected on the visibility of Indigenous peoples at the conference, and the launch of new digital platforms, including the Green Digital Action Hub and the AI Climate Institute. Louise raised concerns about the absence of procurement in Scotland’s new Climate Change Plan and called for stronger commitments on fair trade and supply chains.
Becky Kenton-Lake of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland concluded the panel by examining Scotland’s role as a sub-national climate actor. SCCS has concerns about slippage in domestic climate action and the over-reliance on unproven technologies such as carbon capture and storage. Becky also encouraged responses to the ongoing Climate Change Plan consultation and invited members to the Climate March in Glasgow on 15 November.
The discussion that followed ranged across debt concerns, gender equality, disability inclusion, climate-resilient education, and food security, with calls for stronger mainstreaming of justice-based approaches throughout COP processes. Sarah Boyack MSP, who had been re-elected as Convener of the CPG at the start of the meeting, closed the discussion with suggested next steps, including seeking further clarification from the Scottish Government on its engagement at COP30 and arranging a post-COP debrief with the speakers.