Activists push for trillion-dollar climate fund, stronger NDCs at COP30

During the ongoing COP30 Climate Conference in Belém, Brazil, leaders of South Asian civil society called for the assurance of the "Baku to Belém Roadmap" and urged developed countries to meet the trillion-dollar annual climate finance goal to protect vulnerable nations from the escalating climate crisis.

At a press conference titled "LDCs & MVC Peoples' Expectations and COP30," representatives from regional civil society organisations (CSOs) — including Shoumya Dutta from India, Ahsanul Wahed from MJF, and Jakaria from Leaders Bangladesh — shared their views. The written statement was delivered by M A Hasan of COAST Foundation.

Speakers demanded that developed countries submit NDC 3.0 with ambitious, transformative, and 1.5°C-aligned mitigation goals, and triple adaptation finance by 2030 as part of a new, ambitious New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG).

M A Hasan criticised developed nations for creating frameworks that "look good on paper but fail to deliver in practice." He said COP30 must serve as a "reality check" to assess progress and ensure fair, time-bound pathways to achieve the trillion-dollar annual finance target by 2035, primarily through public financing mechanisms.

Shoumya Dutta emphasised the urgency of setting a clear timeline for phasing out fossil fuels and eliminating coal-based power plants and fossil fuel subsidies. He called for tripling renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency by 2030, backed by sector-specific implementation roadmaps.

Ahsanul Wahed stressed the need for measurable indicators under the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA), criticising the "vague commitments" of developed nations that leave vulnerable countries exposed. "They must deliver credible commitments that enhance adaptive capacity, strengthen resilience, and reduce climate vulnerability," he said.

Jakaria called for direct and simplified access to the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD) for frontline communities, noting that the COP29 outcome on NCQG failed to secure long-term loss and damage financing. He urged COP30 to include a sub-goal under the NCQG for grant-based resources to developing countries.

Speakers concluded that COP30 must produce tangible commitments — not rhetoric — to finance and technology transfer, enabling climate-vulnerable nations to reduce emissions, adapt effectively, and safeguard their communities.