Climate Change

The 30th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30), the 20th session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP20), and the 7th session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement (CMA7), as well as the 63rd session of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice and the Subsidiary Body for Implementation, were held in Belém, Brazil from November 10th to November 22nd (1 day extension). Mr. ISHIHARA Hirotaka, Minister of the Environment and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of the Environment, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the Financial Services Agency, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Forestry Agency, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the Japan Meteorological Agency, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and related organizations participated in the conferences.
At COP30, Brazil, the COP30 Presidency, presented the Portuguese “Mutirão” (joint effort, collaboration, working together) as a theme and the participants discussed accelerating the implementation of the Paris Agreement and advancing international cooperation.
As an outcome of COP30, the “Global Mutirão Decision” was adopted, addressing matters of particular interest that cut across sectors such as mitigation and finance. Separately, decisions were adopted under each negotiating agenda, including one on a Global Goal on Adaptation. The “Global Mutirão Decision” and the decisions on each major negotiating agenda are collectively referred to as the “Belém Political Package.”
In addition to negotiations on agenda items, multiple events were held based on COP and CMA decisions. Furthermore, during the session, Japan exchanged views on climate change with several relevant countries and organizations.

The Global Mutirão Decision incorporates a wide range of contents spanning multiple areas such as mitigation and finance, based on three pillars: (1) the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement, (2) transition from negotiation to implementation, and (3) accelerating implementation, solidarity, and international cooperation.

(Mitigation (Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs))
Recognizing the best available scientific findings provided by the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), the decision sends a strong message calling for accelerated mitigation efforts and enhanced ambition to achieve the 1.5°C goal. It urges countries that have not yet submitted their NDCs to do so immediately. It acknowledges that 119 countries have submitted their BTRs (Biennial Transparency Reports) to date. Under the COP30 and COP31 Presidencies, it was decided to launch the “Global Implementation Accelerator,” a cooperative, facilitative, and voluntary initiative aimed at accelerating the implementation of the Paris Agreement, strengthening international cooperation to achieve the 1.5°C goal, and supporting the implementation of NDCs and NAPs (National Adaptation Plans) by countries. Furthermore, under the leadership of the COP29, COP30, and COP31 Presidencies, it was decided to launch the “Belém Mission to 1.5” to enable ambition and implementation of NDCs and NAPs, accelerate the implementation in both mitigation and adaptation, and explore international cooperation and investment.

(Climate Finance)
It was decided to convene a high-level ministerial roundtable to reflect on the implementation of the new collective quantitative goal (NCQG) on climate finance agreed at COP29 last year.
Furthermore, it calls for efforts to at least triple adaptation finance by 2035 in the context of NCQG. Additionally, it was decided to launch a two-year work programme on climate finance, including on Article 9, paragraph 1, of the Paris Agreement in the context of Article 9 of the Paris Agreement as a whole.

(Unilateral Trade-Restrictive Measures Related to Climate Change)
To consider opportunities, challenges, and barriers in relation to enhancing international cooperation related to the role of trade, it was decided to hold dialogues involving ITC, UNCTAD, and WTO in June 2026–28, and to organize a high-level event in 2028.

Negotiations under the Mitigation Work Programme (MWP) centered on continuing negotiation agenda on mitigation beyond 2026, the outcomes of the 2025 Global Dialogue on Forests and Waste, and improving the MWP. Regarding the adoption of a decision on the continuation of the MWP in 2026, as included in the 2022 decision, all parties were invited to make submissions about opportunities, best practices, feasible solutions, challenges, and barriers related to the continuity, functionality, and effectiveness of the MWP. Furthermore, the findings compiled in the report as an outcome of the Global Dialogue were noted.

Regarding the Global Goals on Adaptation (GGA) agenda, a list of indicators to measure progress in the adaptation field was adopted, though full agreement was not reached. It was decided to continue discussions next year based on the outcomes of the meeting this year. Furthermore, it was decided to establish a two-year “Belém–Addis Vision on Adaptation” to examine technical issues for future operationalization of the indicators. Additionally, the modalities for the Baku Adaptation Roadmap (BAR), whose launch had been decided at COP29 to support the implementation of the UAE Framework, were discussed. It was decided to hold workshops and other events going forward to promote adaptation plan and implementation tailored to each country's circumstances and to enhance adaptation capacity.

Regarding the UAE Dialogue, it was decided that after holding sessions in 2026 and 2027 as a forum for sharing experiences and insights on implementing GST outcomes, the Dialogue would conclude and be referenced at the second GST.
At the second GST, it was also decided to confirm that the IPCC is a key source of insights and to recommend providing information based on the best available science.
Regarding the annual GST dialogue for sharing insights and best practices on informing future NDCs, decisions were made to conclude it in 2026 and consider resuming the dialogue in conjunction with the review of the outcomes of the second GST.

The importance of linking efforts to limit global warming to 1.5°C, including greenhouse gas emission reductions, with the pursuit of pathways for a just transition was emphasized. It was also decided to compile a synthesis report by organizing and consolidating the means, initiatives, and processes related to the Paris Agreement, as well as relevant agencies within the United Nations system. Furthermore, it was decided to advance discussions on a “just transition mechanism” to strengthen technical support, capacity building, and knowledge sharing for international cooperation.

Discussions were made to advance the implementation of the new collective quantified goal (NCQG) on climate finance decided at COP29 in 2024. Regarding the biennial communication of finance under Article 9, paragraph 5 of the Paris Agreement, it was decided that the biennial communication should include information related to the NCQG. Furthermore, to accelerate discussions on Article 2, paragraph 1(c) of the Paris Agreement, which aims to align financial flows with climate action, it was decided to hold working-level dialogues and high-level roundtables.

Parties launched the Belém Technology Implementation Program (TIP) to strengthen technical support for developing countries, and decided to hold annual global dialogues starting in 2027and a high-level ministerial dialogue in 2028. Also, parties decided to review the role and functions of the Climate Technology Centre (CTC), select its host in 2026, and extend its mandate from 2027 to 2041.

Regarding the implementation of Article 6.2 guidance under the Paris Agreement, progress was confirmed on the submission of Article 6 reports by countries and the technical review procedures for those reports. It was also decided to hold informal dialogues to share experiences from the Article 6 technical expert review.
For the Article 6.4 (UN-managed) mechanism, it was decided to utilize Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) funds until it becomes self-sustaining and to extend the deadline for host country approval to transfer CDM projects to Article 6.4 until June 2026.
For the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), decisions were made on the schedule for phasing out CDM functions, the usage of the remaining trust fund balance (for the Adaptation Fund and Article 6.4 mechanism), and the closure of the International Transaction Log (ITL) on March 31, 2026.

Regarding loss and damage, the Warsaw International Mechanism Review was conducted, and agreement was reached on preparing a report on loss and damage. Discussions also covered agriculture, the review of the Adaptation Committee, National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), research and systematic observation, revision of the Expert Group on Transparency Framework, response measures, capacity building, technology transfer, gender and climate change, and matters related to the Secretariat. Regarding gender and climate change, a new Gender Action Plan (GAP) was adopted to promote gender mainstreaming in climate change action. It was also decided that the next COP31 will be held in Turkey from November 9 to November 20, 2026, with Turkey as the President and Australia as the President of Negotiations. Furthermore, it was decided that COP32 will be held in Ethiopia from November 8 to November 19, 2027.

Mr. ISHIHARA Hirotaka, Minister of the Environment reaffirmed Japan's unwavering commitment to submitting a new NDC aligned with the 1.5°C goal and achieve net-zero by 2050. He emphasized the importance of advancing global decarbonization efforts based on multilateralism. He asserted the importance of all countries submitting the NDCs with the highest possible ambition at the earliest, working to implement them, and ratcheting up the Paris Agreement’s cycle of ambition. He stated that Japan is steadily making progress through mechanisms like JCM and is actively contributing, alongside Japanese private companies, to the development of the “Global Circularity Protocol” – the WBCSD (World Business Council for Sustainable Development)’s framework for corporate circularity disclosure.

Mr. ISHIHARA Hirotaka, Minister of the Environment, held meetings with ministerial-level representatives and delegates from seven countries and regions, including the EU, the UK, and India. At each meeting, discussions were held to help reach agreement on negotiation topics, and views were exchanged on climate change actions and other issues. A meeting was also held with Mr. António Guterres, UN Secretary-General.

Japan set up the Japan Pavilion at the COP30 venue and showcased technologies from Japanese companies and others throughout the conference period, including renewable energy, energy saving, satellite data utilization, and waste reuse.
Additionally, at the Japan Pavilion, Mr. ISHIHARA Hirotaka, Minister of the Environment, launched a new initiative, namely, “Japan Climate Action Initiative 2025.”. The Pavilion also hosted a JCM Partner Meeting, unveiled the Global Circularity Protocol, showcased cooperation with ASEAN toward GST-2, and featured the Greenhouse Gas Observing Satellite (GOSAT), industrial decarbonization, AZEC, methane emission reduction from the LNG value chain, reduction contributions, transition finance, the Overseas Deployment Package for GHG Emission Reduction Technologies in Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MIDORI∞INFINITY), the Brazilian Degraded Pasture Restoration Model Demonstration Survey, and GREEN×EXPO 2027. Japan also participated in numerous other events to communicate the efforts of the Japanese government. The Japan Pavilion was well-attended daily by high-level officials including ministers from over 20 countries. This turnout and popularity served as a powerful global showcase of Japan's decarbonization technologies.

Japan, together with Brazil and Italy, co-sponsored the “Belém 4x Pledge on Sustainable Fuels,” which aims to expand demand for sustainable fuels by more than fourfold across various sectors, including road transport, by 2035. After formally announcing the initiative at the leader’s summit, we gathered the support of 23 countries and regions, and a ministerial-level event was also held.

The Government of Japan endorsed and participated in the following international climate change initiatives announced during COP30 and other periods.

• November 6: “Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF)”, led by Brazil
• November 6: “Call to Action on Integrated Fire Management and Wildfire Resilience.“led by Brazil
• November 10: “Principles for Responsible Timber Construction,” which was created through the Forest & Climate Leaders’ Partnership (FCLP)
• November 11: “Belém Call for Action for Sustainable and Affordable Housing,”which was created through the Intergovernmental Council for Buildings and Climate (ICBC)
• November 13: “Belém Health Action Plan” led by Brazil and WHO
• November 19: “Resilient Agriculture Investment for net Zero land degradation (RAIZ)” led by Brazil
• November 19: “Belém Declaration on Fertilisers”led by Brazil and UK

November 10

Earth Information Day 2025

November 10 12

Article 6.2 Ambition Dialogue

November 11

Ministerial Meeting on Urbanization and Climate Change

November 11

Ministerial Meeting of the Intergovernmental Council for Buildings and Climate (ICBC)

November 11

High-level Meeting of the Baku Dialogue on Water for Climate Action

November 12

Article 6.8 Workshop (Introducing Japan's Efforts to Overseas Deployment of Adaptive Technologies)

November 13

Health and Climate Ministerial Meeting

November 14

UNEP International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) Ministerial Meeting