COP30 Recognized the Role of Forests and Nature in Addressing the Climate Crisis

COP30, the United Nations Climate Change Conference, has drawn to a close in Belém, Brazil, marking the end to two eventful weeks that led to significant advances for global efforts to combat climate change. More than 190 countries, or “Parties” in COP parlance, worked countless hours to reach consensus on challenging topics ranging from the gap in ambition on climate targets, to finance, to phasing down of fossil fuel emissions. While more work is needed to accelerate action toward a safer climate future, global commitment to the multilateral process remains strong. 

During COP30, the National Audubon Society delegation showcased the incredible work Audubon teams and partners are doing throughout the Americas, emphasizing that the solutions birds need to thrive are those that people and the planet need as well.  

Nature is at the Heart of Climate Action

The importance of forests and nature in the climate context was visible throughout COP30, as is befitting of an Amazon COP.  

World leaders announced nearly $7 billion in support for the Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF), an innovative new mechanism expected to mobilize $125 billion in largely private sector financing for tropical and subtropical forests. These are the very same forests new Audubon research shows are critical strongholds for Latin American birds in the face of a changing climate. 

Major announcements continued throughout the two weeks, providing new momentum and resources for efforts to conserve and restore ecosystems, enhance mitigation and adaptation, and protect biodiversity. For example:  

• Brazilian development bank BNDES announced nearly $200 million in investments in reforestation companies.  
• Fifteen governments announced support for the Intergovernmental Land Tenure Commitment to secure and strengthen land tenure rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities on 160 million hectares in tropical forest countries. 
• The Forests & Climate Leaders Partnership, a coalition of 36 governments plus the EU, announced a suite of initiatives and pledges to help end deforestation, building on a Forest Investment Roadmap launched earlier this year.  

In the negotiations, Parties recognized the critical role of forests and other ecosystems in meeting the Paris Agreement’s goals. This is evident in the cover decision, an overarching statement proposed by the host country or Presidency and adopted by Parties. COP30’s cover decision is known as the “Mutirão,” a Brazilian term for a collective mobilization of people. In the Mutirão, the Brazilian Presidency committed to leading work on a roadmap toward halting and reversing deforestation and forest degradation, as called for by more than 90 countries.  

Two other decisions from COP30 demonstrate the importance of forests and ecosystems in climate solutions. The Mitigation Work Programme decision included detail on the role forests play in pre-2030 mitigation, marking the first time messaging of substance has been included in this type of decision. Additionally, the decision on the Global Goal on Adaptation included a series of voluntary indicators to assess the status of adaptation in ecosystems around the world.  

Climate Action Moves Forward

COP30 reiterated expectations for Parties to set and implement ambitious 2035 nationally determined contribution (NDC) climate targets and to report on their achievements. NDCs are expected to be aligned with the goal of limiting temperature increases to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and Parties that have not done so are expected to establish low-emissions development strategies aligned with reducing global greenhouse gas emissions to net zero. More than 50 countries have submitted ambitious 1.5C-aligned NDCs, and achieving these climate targets will play a key role in the path to a safer future.   

The COP30 outcomes establish a set of global indicators for climate adaptation, with further refinements expected over the next two years. Climate adaptation calls for adjusting human and natural systems to reduce vulnerabilities. The COP30 outcomes call for a tripling of adaptation finance by 2035 and place greater emphasis on the need to mobilize finance and investment to support climate action.  

Outside the formal decisions, the Brazilian Presidency committed to delivering roadmaps on efforts to halt and reverse deforestation and to transition to clean energy, responding to requests from nearly 100 countries.

Audubon at COP30

The National Audubon Society delegation participated in multiple discussions on nature-based solutions across a range of topics. For example: 

• New Audubon science shows that more than 83 percent of threatened forest bird species in Latin America are vulnerable to extinction without urgent action to mitigate climate change and highlights how effective action to protect forests can provide climate benefits for birds and people.  
• Tools like Audubon’s Bird Friendliness Index can help monitor the biodiversity co-benefits of climate action at the project scale, for national strategies and across investment portfolios.  
• To help reach the scale of action needed to combat the climate and biodiversity crises by mainstreaming finance, the Americas Flyways Initiative will mobilize up to $5 billion to sustainably manage at least 30 landscapes, and Conserva Aves will help conserve more than 2.7 million hectares by expanding subnational protected areas.  
• The Panama Blue Natural Heritage program protects coastal ecosystems that sequester carbon; serve as natural buffers against storm surge and sea level rise; provide habitat for birds, fish, and other wildlife; and enhance fishing returns and local economies.  
• Conservation ranching, including through Audubon Conservation Ranching, and regenerative agriculture across the hemisphere help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase resilience, increase wildlife habitat, and enhance the livelihoods of farmers and ranchers.    

In addition, Audubon:  

• Joined BirdLife International, SAVE Brazil, and partners on two excursions to see birds in the incredible Amazon rainforest around Belém—a reminder of why the work we do is so important. 
• Tracked the negotiations related to issues around NDC climate targets, Paris Agreement reporting, the Global Stocktake, carbon markets, and the forest roadmap.   
• Met with many partners—including Indigenous leaders, government officials, business leaders, and philanthropists—whose collaboration will help deliver more climate and biodiversity results over time. 

Path Forward

COP30 has outlined an ambitious program of climate work stretching across multiple years. Parties will next meet mid-year in Bonn, Germany, and COP31 will be held in Turkiye, with Australia holding the lead role in coordinating negotiations. Over the next year, more work will be needed to accelerate the transition to a cleaner energy future where wildlife and communities can thrive. Parties will need to intensify the implementation of both NDC targets and adaptation efforts. Experts will need to work with the Brazilian presidency to deliver robust, actionable roadmaps on forests and the energy transition, and the climate community will begin the process of the next Global Stocktake on progress toward the Paris Agreement goals. Audubon will again be in these rooms, ensuring that issues critical to birds, ecosystems, and people are front and center.