What is the COP and why it is fundamental
The COP, acronym for Conference of the Parties, is the annual United Nations conference dedicated to climate change. It brings together governments, international institutions, scientists, businesses and civic organizations to negotiate and define global actions against global warming. The initiative operates within the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change), established in 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro.
The role of the COP is crucial: it monitors the progress of climate policies, updates emission reduction commitments (NDCs) and decides on financial, regulatory and technological tools necessary for the energy transition. With the increase in extreme climate events and global socio-economic pressures, these conferences have become one of the central points of global geopolitical debate.
The most important agreements of previous COPs
Over its thirty-year history, the COP has produced several decisive agreements. Among the most relevant:
COP3 – Kyoto (1997): the Kyoto Protocol is born, the first international treaty requiring industrialized countries to measurably reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
COP15 – Copenhagen (2009): although without a definitive treaty, it introduces the global objective of limiting temperature rise to 2°C compared to pre-industrial levels.
COP21 – Paris (2015): with the Paris Agreement, signed by 195 countries, the new limit of 1.5°C is established, setting universal commitments and a periodic review system.
These moments marked the evolution of global climate governance, moving from voluntary commitments to more solid and shared structures.
COP 2025: geopolitical context and priorities
COP2025, hosted in Belém, Brazil, comes at a historic moment characterized by geopolitical instability, energy crises and growing social pressure for a faster and more concrete climate response. In this context, negotiations concern not only emission reductions, but also:
- climate finance and Loss & Damage
- global carbon markets
- acceleration of the energy transition
- North-South cooperation and historical responsibility
One of the central dossiers of COP2025 concerns methane, a greenhouse gas with very high short-term climate impact. With a warming potential up to 80 times higher than CO₂ in the first 20 years, reducing its emissions is essential to contain global warming in the short to medium term.
Despite more than 160 countries having joined the global commitment to reduce it by 30% by 2030, emissions continue to rise. New satellite systems have made it possible to detect major industrial leaks, such as in Turkmenistan and Algeria, but many reports remain without response or structural intervention. For this reason, many delegations are pushing for more binding agreements, common standards and mandatory controls in the energy, waste and agriculture sectors.
Leadership and climate diplomacy: between courage and resistance
Within this political, administrative and economic scenario, figures and actions influencing the conversation are emerging. During COP30, former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, a historic figure in the climate movement, stated that we may have passed the so-called “peak Trump,” referring to the decline of anti-climate political influence in the United States.
Gore encouraged countries to resist geopolitical pressures and move decisively toward decarbonization, emphasizing how markets, investors and public opinion are rapidly recognizing the strategic value of clean energy and climate security.
At the same time, a concrete signal came from Denmark, which announced a binding target of reducing emissions by 82% by 2035, one of the most ambitious in the world.
This announcement represents a tangible example of political and industrial leadership: it demonstrates that advanced climate policies can coexist with economic competitiveness, innovation and social cohesion.
Why the COP also concerns businesses
The COP does not only define public policies: it directly influences the private sector. Decisions made during negotiations become:
- mandatory regulations
- emission taxes
- incentives for renewable energy
- ESG standards and climate reporting
- supply chain requirements for global markets
For companies, anticipating this evolution means reducing operational and financial risks, accessing new markets and capital, and improving reputation and competitiveness. The climate transition is not just an obligation: it is an economic driver reshaping production models and business strategies.
Conclusion: from promise to action
COP2025 marks a critical phase: the climate crisis is not a future risk, but an ongoing reality. If past agreements built the structure of global climate governance, the challenge now is to transform promises, commitments and declarations into concrete and measurable implementation.
The world has the tools, technology and scientific awareness. Now one key question remains: how quickly will governments, businesses and citizens be able to act?
AI image.
