Although Cop30 failed to implement a significant plan to tackle climate change, the commitment to “transition away from fossil fuels” still provides some key takeaways for the renewable energy industry.
The Brazilian city of Belém is symbolically situated on the edge of the Amazon rainforest. This choice of location for Cop30 illustrates what representatives from across the globe are striving to achieve; to slow the release of carbon emissions, which directly contribute to climate change.
According to the US regulatory agency The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Amazon basin’s 2.8 million square miles of jungle “is estimated to contain about 123 billion tons of carbon above and below ground.” This makes it a crucial ally in reducing or reversing the effect of carbon emissions.
Even with this clear messaging acting as the backdrop, Cop30 was off to a shaky start. The notable absence of a US representative at the event significantly undermined the global consensus to pivot towards supporting renewable energy.
Trump has openly dismissed the development of renewable energy, evidenced by his decision to remove the United States from the Paris climate agreement again in his second term. This sets a precedent that the US is currently directly opposed to establishing sustainable energy alternatives, favouring the use of fossil fuels.
Bolstered by rising political uncertainty and the lack of cooperation from the US, other key opponents seized the opportunity to support the continued use of fossil fuels, namely Russia and Saudi Arabia.
The UN Secretary General, António Guterres emphasised that Cops often lead to a stalemate if a compromise is not reached, as all participating countries have equal say. He stated that “in a period of geopolitical divides, [a] consensus is ever harder to reach” because every country has a right to veto a proposal.
Consequently, the advocates for renewable energy had to significantly soften their message to eventually win the support of Saudi Arabia. The Cop cites “calls for efforts” to phase out fossil fuels at a future meeting but fails to set a date for when this ‘effort’ will be acted upon. The lack of a concrete plan reduces this statement to an ideological pledge, rather than a decisive plan to protect our planet from further environmental uncertainty.
Guterres made his disappointment clear; stating: “I cannot pretend that Cop30 has delivered everything that is needed. The gap between where we are and where science demands, remains dangerously wide.” From this assessment, we can deduce that the road to complete reliance on renewable energy will be long and often littered with setbacks. Looking forward, we will continue to make steps to implement everyday renewable energy solutions, benefiting both our planet and our pocket.
At BMS, we offer a range of services for the environmentally conscious consumer that help you reduce your own carbon emissions. We pride ourselves on constantly innovating and adapting to new carbon-reducing measures to benefit our customer’s daily lives. Our electricians ensure they are kept up to date on the latest regulations and renewable energy technologies to help find the best renewable solutions for you. Our skilled technicians are also experienced in installing heat retention systems, such as Air-Source heat pumps. These systems are designed to conserve energy by maximising the heat in the air outside, drawing it inside to keep your house warm. This reduces the volume of energy produced, as well as significantly reducing the financial cost to heat your home.
BMS Electrical works with new-build developers to increase the sustainability of new sites by installing renewable technologies like EV chargers and solar installations, in keeping with the latest sustainability regulations. To help you optimise your energy usage, BMS also offer options to retrofit renewable solutions in existing buildings. BMS Electrical will work with you to achieve your sustainable vision, to ensure that your home or commercial facility is equipped for the future with the latest renewable technologies.
