COP30: Big Talks, Small Steps for Our Planet

COP30 wrapped up in November 2025 in Belém, Brazil, a city near the Amazon. This yearly meeting brings together countries to talk about climate change and how to fix it. The goal is to keep global warming close to 1. 5°C above pre-industrial levels. But this year, people criticized the event for being too connected to the fossil fuel industry and not making strong enough promises. The built environment, which includes buildings and cities, makes up about 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions. So, the talks at COP30 were important for architects and urban planners. They discussed how to make buildings and cities more sustainable and adapt to climate change. One big topic was cooling. As the planet gets hotter, cooling is no longer a luxury but a necessity. The UN talked about a "Sustainable Cooling Pathway" that uses passive design, nature-based solutions, and clean technologies to cut emissions. Another important issue was climate adaptation. This includes dealing with displacement, health crises, and making sure communities are resilient and inclusive. The choice to host COP30 in Belém was symbolic, highlighting the Amazon's role in climate regulation. However, it also showed contradictions, like long travel routes and new roads cutting through the forest. Despite this, the event allowed for more Indigenous participation and showcased local climate resilience efforts. One interesting project presented at COP30 was AquaPraça, a floating cultural plaza in Guajará Bay. It rises and falls with the tides and will stay in the region as a permanent space for climate engagement and cultural activities. Overall, COP30 had some promising discussions and projects, but the commitments were general, and there's still a long way to go in fighting climate change.