New research brief: on the road to COP30

Our latest research brief reviews key outcomes from recent COP summits and explores how negotiations in Belém can advance Africa’s priorities, as outlined in the Addis Ababa Declaration.

It highlights four urgent priorities for this year’s summit:

• Secure a just energy transition — deliver universal access to reliable electricity and clean cooking so every household can participate in a low-carbon economy.
• Put adaptation first — agree on a measurable Global Goal on Adaptation and match it with finance that truly reaches communities at pace and scale.
• Unlock Africa’s green potential — protect carbon-rich forests, add value responsibly to critical minerals, and scale green hydrogen where it offers real benefits.
• Reform climate finance — set an ambitious New Collective Quantified Goal, accelerate multilateral development bank reform, and ensure fair tax and anti-profit-shifting rules that safeguard domestic revenues.

With negotiations beginning today, our brief underscores a clear message on Africa's position: climate ambition and development must go hand in hand.