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COP30 Evening Summary – November 11

Published on Nov 11, 2025 10:36 PM

Day 2: Tuesday, 11 November:

Prepared by the COP30 Communications Team

Thematic Focus Areas: Adaptation, Infrastructure, Cities, Water, Waste, Local Gov., Science/Technology/AI, Circular Economy, Bioeconomy

Summary Recap:

Harnessing Local and Subnational Action to Build Resilience and Improve Lives

Day 2 of COP30 showcased how local and subnational leadership is driving real-world climate progress — in people’s homes, cities, and communities. Leaders from across countries and municipalities demonstrated how implementation begins on the ground, where climate action directly improves lives. Cities also took center stage with practical solutions.

The Beat the Heat Implementation Drive, co-led by the COP30 Presidency and UNEP’s Cool Coalition, moved from planning to delivery, mobilizing finance and partnerships to protect 3.5 billion people from extreme heat across 185 cities. During the High-Level Ministerial Meeting on Urbanization and Climate Change, the launch of  the Plan to Accelerate Multilevel Governance (PAS) took place, aiming at the operationalization of the Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnerships (CHAMP)—marking a turning point in aligning national ambition with local delivery. Brazil and Germany were announced as new co-chairs, steering efforts to embed multilevel governance in 100 NDCs by 2028, train 6,000 local officials, and expand access to climate finance.

The Buildings Breakthrough Initiative launched standards for Near-Zero and Resilient Buildings, with endorsements from countries regarding public procurement, while the No Organic Waste (NOW) Plan committed $30 million to cut 30% of methane emissions from organic waste by 2030, integrate 1 million waste workers into the circular economy, and recover 20 million tonnes of surplus food annually.

Water and climate resilience were also elevated as core adaptation priorities. The Latin America and Caribbean Water Investment Programme, led by ECLAC and CAF, announced a $20 billion pipeline for water security by 2030. The High-Level Ministerial on Water and Climate Action – “Waters of Change” – culminated in a Joint Statement  on Water and Climate Action, reaffirming water as a cornerstone of global adaptation and sustainable development.

Closing the day, the Global Mutirão Ministerial Plenary brought together ministers and mayors from over 80 countries, reaffirming that the future of the Paris Agreement is being built from the ground up — by cities, regions, and communities leading the charge toward a safer, more resilient world.

Notable Actions and Outcomes:

  • Action Agenda
    - COP30 Opens Innovative Action Agenda Thematic Spaces
    ▪ COP30 has taken an innovative approach to reflecting the axes framework derived from the Global Stocktake in six physical spaces called Action Agenda Thematic Spaces, which were inaugurated today. The spaces will offer engaging events and programming throughout the next two weeks.
    ▪ This space offers an opportunity for the +400 international cooperative initiatives mapped and engaged in this year's unified Action Agenda to showcase their achieved results and to present the +100 Plans to Accelerate Solutions, embodying the vision of the “COP of implementation.”
    ▪ The opening event also honored the leadership and contribution of the COP29 Climate High-Level Champion Nigar Arpadarai in advancing inclusive and collaborative climate action across the Global Climate Action Agenda, as she finishes her mandate.

    - Yearbook of Global Climate Action Published Today Capturing Climate  Progress and Gaps
    ▪ The Yearbook of Global Climate Action 2025, the annually published report led by the Climate Champions and UN Climate Change, with data from its NAZCA portal, presents a snapshot of global climate action and showcases its progress and gaps. More information, including all data sources, are detailed in the report.

    - Empowering Local Leadership for Global Climate Delivery
    At the High-Level Ministerial Meeting on Urbanization and Climate Change, Brazil unveiled two milestones to advance multilevel climate governance.
    ▪ The launch of the Plan to Accelerate the Solution (PAS) on Multilevel Governance: Coordinated by the COP30 Presidency, Brazil’s Ministries of Environment and Cities, and UN-Habitat, the PAS targets integration of multilevel structures into 100 countries Nationally Determined Contribution (NDCs) by 2028 and training of 6,000 public officials in climate governance. The plan unites countries, subnational networks, and finance partners to align national commitments with local priorities, accelerating the shift from planning to delivery and strengthening global implementation.
    ▪ Announcement of a new co-chair governance framework for the Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnerships (CHAMP), to be jointly led by Brazil and Germany until 2027:The CHAMP Coalition, now backed by 77 countries and the European Union, enters a new era under a formal, country-led framework co-chaired by Brazil and Germany.The Plan also launches Country Platforms for Localizing Finance (CPLFs) in two pioneering African countries, Cameroon and Madagascar. Finance Your Cities CPLFs, as a project pipeline, will scale to six countries by 2028, aiming to mobilize USD 350 million and engage 200 local and regional governments.

    - First Ever Standards Set for Sustainable and Resilient Buildings Launched at COP30
    ▪ At COP30, the Buildings Breakthrough Initiative, led by the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC), announced progress towards Near-Zero and Resilient Buildings (NZERBs), defining principles on emissions, resilience, and vulnerability, creating a common global language for action. Six countries — Colombia, France, Finland, Ghana, Japan, and Kenya — endorsed a Global Framework for Action on Public Procurement, as a means to raise demand for sustainable and circular buildings through government purchasing. The standards were published in the Interim Report on Near-Zero and Resilient Buildings by the World Green Building Council.

    - Latin America & Caribbean Water Investment Programmes Launched to Mobilize USD 20 Billion for Climate-Resilient Water Security by 2030
    ▪ By 2030, USD 20 billion will be mobilized for climate-resilient water investments through the new ‘Latin America & Caribbean Water Investment Programme.’ The initiative is led by the Economic Commission for Latin America & the Caribbean (ECLAC),  the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) and the Global Water Partnership (GWP). Investments will include projects to secure drinking water supplies, modernize irrigation systems, and strengthen flood and drought resilience.

    - Water Elevated as a Cornerstone of Climate Action
    ▪ At COP30 in Belém, ministers and global partners gathered for the High-Level Ministerial on Water and Climate Action – “Waters of Change”, uniting efforts to make water a cornerstone of global climate action. The dialogue connected milestones from COP28 and COP29 to the path toward the 2026 UN Water Conference and SDG 6 Review, underscoring water’s essential role in driving adaptation, resilience, and sustainable development.
    ▪ Brazil unveiled two Acceleration Plans, one on Water Management and Participatory Governance and another on Access to Freshwater for Vulnerable Communities, a flagship initiative under the COP30 Action Agenda designed to expand safe water access, strengthen governance, and accelerate finance for adaptation. The plans are anchored in collaboration with OECD Water Governance Initiative (WGI), The Freshwater Challenge, Wetlands International, Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), International Network of Basin Organizations (INBO), Alliance for Global Water Adaptation (AGWA), and the Water for Climate Pavilion.
    ▪ The session culminated in the adoption of the Joint Statement on Water and Climate Action, reaffirming countries’ shared commitment to position water at the center of climate policy and investment.

    - The No Organic Waste (NOW): Turning Waste Into Climate Action
    ▪ A new global effort to tackle one of the fastest-growing sources of greenhouse gases was launched today. The No Organic Waste (NOW) Plan to Accelerate Solutions commits to cutting 30% of methane emissions from organic waste by 2030, while transforming discarded food into opportunities for climate action, nutrition, and livelihoods. With the support of the Global Methane Hub and a commitment of US$ 30 million for the world - of which US$ 10 million for Latin America - to accelerate action in cities, NOW will recover 20 million tonnes of surplus food each year, feed 50 million people, and formally integrate 1 million waste workers into the circular economy. Currently, 25 cities across 18 countries have been engaged. The initiative’s next phase will scale city pilots, composting hubs, and foodbank networks, by providing technical support and project financing (such as purchasing equipment and carrying out construction work), generating evidence to inform national strategies and attract multilateral and private investment.
  • Global Mobilization

    - “Beat the Heat” Implementation Drive (with UNEP and Cool Coalition)
    ▪ Beat the Heat is a flagship Plan to Accelerate Solutions that provides a mechanism to deliver UNEP and COP30-led Beat the Heat Implementation Drive, hosted under the Global Cooling Pledge.
    ▪ It mobilizes cities and finance to build resilience to extreme heat through nature-based solutions (such as urban forests, parks, green roofs, lakes and storm drainage), passive cooling in buildings and reflective surfaces, and public procurement of high energy efficiency and low GWP cooling technologies (fans, evaporative coolers, efficient AC).
    ▪ The plan, which involves over 36 countries across all continents and 83 key partners, aims to support over 185 cities with local heat action and greening plans, reduce heat risks for 3.5 billion people globally, and integrate these solutions into 50 national adaptation frameworks by 2030. It will deliver solutions to address extreme heat in schools, health and sport centers, open spaces, protecting the lives and livelihoods of billions of people worldwide. Through strengthened national-to-local collaboration, cross-sector coordination, and investment in green cooling infrastructure, the initiative promotes equity, public health, and climate resilience.

    “Beat the Heat is an example of bringing everyone together with a specific goal of capacity-building through hope and actions, done in partnership with mayors and the private sector.” - Ana Toni, COP30 President

    - Expanding Global Participation in COP30 through Maloca:
    ▪ Developed by the United Nations Development Programme in collaboration with the COP30 Presidency, Maloca is an interactive digital platform designed to democratize access to global climate discussions. Already live, Maloca offers immersive virtual spaces that allows users to engage with events, exhibitions, and dialogues, connecting people and communities around the world in climate action. Visit the Uirapuru Smart Agenda platform to see Maloca’s event schedule and join the events.
    ▪ At Maloca today, sessions spotlighted diverse approaches to climate resilience and sustainable development - from Indigenous-led calls for environmental justice to innovations in digital infrastructure, education, and agroecological farming - emphasizing inclusive, locally driven solutions for a climate-ready future.

    - “Mutirão for Sustainable E-Waste Management and Digital Inclusion” Highlights Brazil’s Circular Economy Drive:
    ▪ Organized by Brazil’s Ministry of Communications and the COP30 Presidency, this Mutirão event showcased national efforts to tackle electronic waste through recycling, refurbishment, and education. The event featured the donation of 100 refurbished computers to community centers, collected over 1,000 tonnes of e-waste, and celebrated the training of 2,700 youth across Brazil in sustainable e-waste management, demonstrating how digital inclusion can advance circular economy and climate adaptation goals.

What to Expect on Day 3:

Themes: Health, Jobs, Education, Culture, Justice and HR, Info Integration, Workers