Simon Stiell Urges Countries to Speed Up Climate Action at COP30

UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell opened the segment of COP30 in Belém, Brazil, with a clear message he gave, the world cannot afford delays in climate action. Addressing ministers and global delegates, he said that countries have arrived “mid-stride” into a COP that is already deep in negotiations and decision-making.

Stiell noted that COP30 is not in the phase of discussing what must be done — but in the phase of doing it, adding that negotiators have been “working around the clock” and showing strong goodwill throughout the first week. He said this cooperative spirit reflects the shared belief that the Paris Agreement remains humanity’s best chance to survive the climate crisis and deliver the benefits of climate action to all nations.

He acknowledged the geopolitical and economic “headwinds” facing countries but emphasized that global delegates clearly understand what is at stake. According to him, there is strong determination to build on the progress of recent COPs and demonstrate once again that climate cooperation is delivering results, though he stressed it must happen “faster and fairer.”

Stiell also highlighted the major advancements under the Action Agenda, calling it an increasingly central part of the Paris climate framework. Within just one week, he said, countries have mobilized a trillion-dollar push into clean energy and grids, united behind a global plan to quadruple sustainable fuels, unlocked new momentum in green industry, and begun preparing a pipeline of new adaptation investments.

“These steps reflect an irrefutable fact,” he said. “A new economy is rising, faster than forecasts.” Stiell pointed out that more than USD 2.2 trillion flowed into renewable energy last year alone — exceeding the GDP of more than 180 countries. He explained that this progress is not optional, but “mission-critical,” and added that the process must be more closely connected to real-world economic transformation, so the benefits reach billions more people.

However, Stiell warned that the speed of negotiations has not matched the pace of progress happening in the real economy. “The spirit is there, but the speed is not,” he said, pointing to climate disasters that continue to destroy lives, disrupt economies, and raise prices of basic needs.

He stressed that he had called for “an acceleration in the Amazon,” and said that the same urgency must guide all negotiating work at COP30. With many difficult issues still unresolved, he urged ministers to move quickly: “When these issues get pushed deep into extra time, everybody loses.”

Stiell cautioned against delays, emphasizing that the era of “performative diplomacy” is over. He insisted that countries cannot waste time on tactical stalling or political games. “Now is the time to roll up our sleeves, come together, and get the job done,” he said.

He concluded by assuring ministers and negotiators that the UNFCCC secretariat will support them every step of the way as they navigate the most challenging phase of the conference.

Source: UNFCCC