Simon Evans
@drsimevans.carbonbrief.org
Press Gazette energy & envt journalist of the year 2022
Press Awards envt journalist of the year 2025 (shortlisted)
Deputy Editor + Senior Policy Editor Carbon Brief
https://bsky.app/profile/carbonbrief.org
carbonbrief.org
simon.evans@carbonbrief.org
Press Awards envt journalist of the year 2025 (shortlisted)
Deputy Editor + Senior Policy Editor Carbon Brief
https://bsky.app/profile/carbonbrief.org
carbonbrief.org
simon.evans@carbonbrief.org
Pinned
NEW: Global fossil fuel use will peak before 2030 – unless 'stated policies' are abandoned
Contra some terrible news coverage, IEA World Energy Outlook shows coal near peak, oil peaking by 2030 & gas by 2035 (see chart)
What's going on? 🧵 + cool charts
www.carbonbrief.org/iea-fossil-f...
Contra some terrible news coverage, IEA World Energy Outlook shows coal near peak, oil peaking by 2030 & gas by 2035 (see chart)
What's going on? 🧵 + cool charts
www.carbonbrief.org/iea-fossil-f...
COP30 TEXT ANALYSIS: One way to read dense COP text is to focus on the verbs. These are helpfully italicised – and for good reason.
MOSTLY INACTIVE: Carbon Brief analysis of the “global mutirão” text finds 69 inactive verbs, requiring no action, against 32 active verbs.
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MOSTLY INACTIVE: Carbon Brief analysis of the “global mutirão” text finds 69 inactive verbs, requiring no action, against 32 active verbs.
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November 22, 2025 at 8:21 PM
COP30 TEXT ANALYSIS: One way to read dense COP text is to focus on the verbs. These are helpfully italicised – and for good reason.
MOSTLY INACTIVE: Carbon Brief analysis of the “global mutirão” text finds 69 inactive verbs, requiring no action, against 32 active verbs.
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MOSTLY INACTIVE: Carbon Brief analysis of the “global mutirão” text finds 69 inactive verbs, requiring no action, against 32 active verbs.
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Reposted by Simon Evans
COP30's key text, the global mutirão, just adopted here in Belém 🇧🇷
November 22, 2025 at 4:38 PM
COP30's key text, the global mutirão, just adopted here in Belém 🇧🇷
Reposted by Simon Evans
Shots fired #COP30 plenary
PANAMA: "Mr. President, Panama is extremely disappointed. We were promised a transparent process. That is not what we're seeing. I raise my flag and you ignore it. I raise a point of order, and you ignore it. I sustain it, and it can be ignored."
PANAMA: "Mr. President, Panama is extremely disappointed. We were promised a transparent process. That is not what we're seeing. I raise my flag and you ignore it. I raise a point of order, and you ignore it. I sustain it, and it can be ignored."
November 22, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Shots fired #COP30 plenary
PANAMA: "Mr. President, Panama is extremely disappointed. We were promised a transparent process. That is not what we're seeing. I raise my flag and you ignore it. I raise a point of order, and you ignore it. I sustain it, and it can be ignored."
PANAMA: "Mr. President, Panama is extremely disappointed. We were promised a transparent process. That is not what we're seeing. I raise my flag and you ignore it. I raise a point of order, and you ignore it. I sustain it, and it can be ignored."
Reposted by Simon Evans
++CLIMATE FINANCE! IN THE MUTIRÃO++
Article 9.1 – referring to finance provided by developed countries
Key issue for LMDCs, Arab Group, who initially called for a 3-year work programme.
Text has a 2-year programme on all climate finance from developed countries, including e.g. private finance.
Article 9.1 – referring to finance provided by developed countries
Key issue for LMDCs, Arab Group, who initially called for a 3-year work programme.
Text has a 2-year programme on all climate finance from developed countries, including e.g. private finance.
November 22, 2025 at 3:12 PM
++CLIMATE FINANCE! IN THE MUTIRÃO++
Article 9.1 – referring to finance provided by developed countries
Key issue for LMDCs, Arab Group, who initially called for a 3-year work programme.
Text has a 2-year programme on all climate finance from developed countries, including e.g. private finance.
Article 9.1 – referring to finance provided by developed countries
Key issue for LMDCs, Arab Group, who initially called for a 3-year work programme.
Text has a 2-year programme on all climate finance from developed countries, including e.g. private finance.
COP30 BREAKING NEWS: The likely final text of the "global mutirão" has been published, ahead of the closing plenary
Here's the snap analysis from the CB team…see last line
unfccc.int/sites/def...
Here's the snap analysis from the CB team…see last line
unfccc.int/sites/def...
November 22, 2025 at 2:52 PM
COP30 BREAKING NEWS: The likely final text of the "global mutirão" has been published, ahead of the closing plenary
Here's the snap analysis from the CB team…see last line
unfccc.int/sites/def...
Here's the snap analysis from the CB team…see last line
unfccc.int/sites/def...
Reposted by Simon Evans
#COP30 in extra day - Adaptation finance is nowhere near what vulnerable nations need. This is the red line for LDCs. We need strong LDC Fund replenishment & a commitment to triple adaptation finance by 2030. Immediate 1.5 °C action required.
#LDCs #ClimateAction
#LDCs #ClimateAction
November 22, 2025 at 5:19 AM
#COP30 in extra day - Adaptation finance is nowhere near what vulnerable nations need. This is the red line for LDCs. We need strong LDC Fund replenishment & a commitment to triple adaptation finance by 2030. Immediate 1.5 °C action required.
#LDCs #ClimateAction
#LDCs #ClimateAction
COP31: It's now officially, officially going to Turkey / Australia
This 2-page doc sets out the division of labour:
Turkey = host and "COP31 president"
Australia = "president of negotiations"
unfccc.int/sites/def...
This 2-page doc sets out the division of labour:
Turkey = host and "COP31 president"
Australia = "president of negotiations"
unfccc.int/sites/def...
November 21, 2025 at 11:31 PM
COP31: It's now officially, officially going to Turkey / Australia
This 2-page doc sets out the division of labour:
Turkey = host and "COP31 president"
Australia = "president of negotiations"
unfccc.int/sites/def...
This 2-page doc sets out the division of labour:
Turkey = host and "COP31 president"
Australia = "president of negotiations"
unfccc.int/sites/def...
Reposted by Simon Evans
With all eyes on the big COP30 agenda items, WIM review talks have stalled.
Negotiators and civil society observers say it has come down to Kenya blocking the decision.
This goes back to Kenya wanting to host the Santiago Network secretariat in Nairobi. It says current host Geneva is too expensive
Negotiators and civil society observers say it has come down to Kenya blocking the decision.
This goes back to Kenya wanting to host the Santiago Network secretariat in Nairobi. It says current host Geneva is too expensive
November 21, 2025 at 6:36 PM
With all eyes on the big COP30 agenda items, WIM review talks have stalled.
Negotiators and civil society observers say it has come down to Kenya blocking the decision.
This goes back to Kenya wanting to host the Santiago Network secretariat in Nairobi. It says current host Geneva is too expensive
Negotiators and civil society observers say it has come down to Kenya blocking the decision.
This goes back to Kenya wanting to host the Santiago Network secretariat in Nairobi. It says current host Geneva is too expensive
Reposted by Simon Evans
+KEY FINANCE ISSUES IN THE NEW COP30 TEXTS+
There's a 2-year work programme on ALL climate finance, including Article 9.1 finance provided by developed countries.
Some developing countries (LMDCs etc) had called for a 3-year work programme on JUST Article 9.1.
There's a 2-year work programme on ALL climate finance, including Article 9.1 finance provided by developed countries.
Some developing countries (LMDCs etc) had called for a 3-year work programme on JUST Article 9.1.
November 21, 2025 at 10:56 AM
+KEY FINANCE ISSUES IN THE NEW COP30 TEXTS+
There's a 2-year work programme on ALL climate finance, including Article 9.1 finance provided by developed countries.
Some developing countries (LMDCs etc) had called for a 3-year work programme on JUST Article 9.1.
There's a 2-year work programme on ALL climate finance, including Article 9.1 finance provided by developed countries.
Some developing countries (LMDCs etc) had called for a 3-year work programme on JUST Article 9.1.
Reposted by Simon Evans
This text would launch a "Belem Mission to 1.5C" that would essentially replicate the Baku to Belem Roadmap to 1.3T but for mitigation and adaptation, not finance.
Since the experience of the BBR went so well...?!
Since the experience of the BBR went so well...?!
November 21, 2025 at 11:16 AM
This text would launch a "Belem Mission to 1.5C" that would essentially replicate the Baku to Belem Roadmap to 1.3T but for mitigation and adaptation, not finance.
Since the experience of the BBR went so well...?!
Since the experience of the BBR went so well...?!
COP30: "Best available science" = IPCC is back
The second draft "mutirão" text "recognises the centrality of equity and the best available science…as provided by the IPCC"
The second draft "mutirão" text "recognises the centrality of equity and the best available science…as provided by the IPCC"
November 21, 2025 at 11:15 AM
COP30: "Best available science" = IPCC is back
The second draft "mutirão" text "recognises the centrality of equity and the best available science…as provided by the IPCC"
The second draft "mutirão" text "recognises the centrality of equity and the best available science…as provided by the IPCC"
COP30 "overshoot": The latest draft "mutirão" text makes what would be a first-ever COP reference to limiting "overshoot" of 1.5C
"reiterates its resolve to pursue efforts to limit [warming] to 1.5C [and] to limit both the magnitude and the duration of any temperature overshoot"
"reiterates its resolve to pursue efforts to limit [warming] to 1.5C [and] to limit both the magnitude and the duration of any temperature overshoot"
November 21, 2025 at 10:38 AM
COP30 "overshoot": The latest draft "mutirão" text makes what would be a first-ever COP reference to limiting "overshoot" of 1.5C
"reiterates its resolve to pursue efforts to limit [warming] to 1.5C [and] to limit both the magnitude and the duration of any temperature overshoot"
"reiterates its resolve to pursue efforts to limit [warming] to 1.5C [and] to limit both the magnitude and the duration of any temperature overshoot"
Reposted by Simon Evans
Kudos to @drsimevans.carbonbrief.org and the whole @carbonbrief.org team. So a very weak draft decision. But so was the second to last draft of the Dubai GST outcome decision
COP30 BREAKING NEWS
The presidency has just dropped a new package of texts including the "global mutirão" cover, which makes no mention of fossil fuels or roadmaps
Here's my snap analysis (pic)
unfccc.int/sites/def...
The presidency has just dropped a new package of texts including the "global mutirão" cover, which makes no mention of fossil fuels or roadmaps
Here's my snap analysis (pic)
unfccc.int/sites/def...
November 21, 2025 at 8:18 AM
Kudos to @drsimevans.carbonbrief.org and the whole @carbonbrief.org team. So a very weak draft decision. But so was the second to last draft of the Dubai GST outcome decision
COP30 BREAKING NEWS
The presidency has just dropped a new package of texts including the "global mutirão" cover, which makes no mention of fossil fuels or roadmaps
Here's my snap analysis (pic)
unfccc.int/sites/def...
The presidency has just dropped a new package of texts including the "global mutirão" cover, which makes no mention of fossil fuels or roadmaps
Here's my snap analysis (pic)
unfccc.int/sites/def...
November 21, 2025 at 7:59 AM
COP30 BREAKING NEWS
The presidency has just dropped a new package of texts including the "global mutirão" cover, which makes no mention of fossil fuels or roadmaps
Here's my snap analysis (pic)
unfccc.int/sites/def...
The presidency has just dropped a new package of texts including the "global mutirão" cover, which makes no mention of fossil fuels or roadmaps
Here's my snap analysis (pic)
unfccc.int/sites/def...
Reposted by Simon Evans
Guterres called on parties to engage in good faith, and argued that “1.5C must be the only red line”
November 20, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Guterres called on parties to engage in good faith, and argued that “1.5C must be the only red line”
Reposted by Simon Evans
The fire at #COP30 has been contained
Delegates are advised that the venue will not reopen before 8:00pm, with further updates to be communicated in due time
Delegates are advised that the venue will not reopen before 8:00pm, with further updates to be communicated in due time
November 20, 2025 at 7:29 PM
The fire at #COP30 has been contained
Delegates are advised that the venue will not reopen before 8:00pm, with further updates to be communicated in due time
Delegates are advised that the venue will not reopen before 8:00pm, with further updates to be communicated in due time
COP30: As the talks edge towards their scheduled end, publicly visible signs of progress seem to have stalled
November 20, 2025 at 4:00 PM
COP30: As the talks edge towards their scheduled end, publicly visible signs of progress seem to have stalled
Reposted by Simon Evans
Major push to get clarity on adaptation $$$ here at #COP30... hearing Japan is the main holdout with under 48 hours to go. If there's not progress on this the broader deal in Belem is on edge.
Adaptation $$$ explainer here via @WorldResources
Adaptation $$$ explainer here via @WorldResources
Tripling the Adaptation Finance Goal Is Possible — Here’s What It Takes
As momentum at COP30 builds around tripling the adaptation finance goal, we break down what’s needed from multilateral development banks, countries and private finance to reach $120 billion by 2035.
www.wri.org
November 20, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Major push to get clarity on adaptation $$$ here at #COP30... hearing Japan is the main holdout with under 48 hours to go. If there's not progress on this the broader deal in Belem is on edge.
Adaptation $$$ explainer here via @WorldResources
Adaptation $$$ explainer here via @WorldResources
Reposted by Simon Evans
The list of countries backing some sort of “fossil-fuel roadmap” at COP30 includes large oil-and-gas producers such as Norway, Mexico and Brazil.
However, the 80+ countries reportedly supporting it so far only produce 7% of the world’s fossil-fuel energy.
However, the 80+ countries reportedly supporting it so far only produce 7% of the world’s fossil-fuel energy.
November 20, 2025 at 11:17 AM
The list of countries backing some sort of “fossil-fuel roadmap” at COP30 includes large oil-and-gas producers such as Norway, Mexico and Brazil.
However, the 80+ countries reportedly supporting it so far only produce 7% of the world’s fossil-fuel energy.
However, the 80+ countries reportedly supporting it so far only produce 7% of the world’s fossil-fuel energy.
COP30 NEW TEXT: (No, not the big one)
There's a nearly-final draft on Article 6.4 carbon markets, where much of the controversial content has been deleted
* fight over SBM term limits deferred
* CDM extension is 6m only
* no longer "micromanages" SBM
unfccc.int/sites/def...
There's a nearly-final draft on Article 6.4 carbon markets, where much of the controversial content has been deleted
* fight over SBM term limits deferred
* CDM extension is 6m only
* no longer "micromanages" SBM
unfccc.int/sites/def...
November 20, 2025 at 1:06 PM
COP30 NEW TEXT: (No, not the big one)
There's a nearly-final draft on Article 6.4 carbon markets, where much of the controversial content has been deleted
* fight over SBM term limits deferred
* CDM extension is 6m only
* no longer "micromanages" SBM
unfccc.int/sites/def...
There's a nearly-final draft on Article 6.4 carbon markets, where much of the controversial content has been deleted
* fight over SBM term limits deferred
* CDM extension is 6m only
* no longer "micromanages" SBM
unfccc.int/sites/def...
Reposted by Simon Evans
After about 75 hours spent on a review of the Warsaw International Mechanism for loss & damage – a process that spilled over from previous talks – negotiators are making slow progress at COP30.
A draft text has now been published, but the whole thing is bracketed – a sign of continuing disagreement
A draft text has now been published, but the whole thing is bracketed – a sign of continuing disagreement
November 20, 2025 at 2:08 AM
After about 75 hours spent on a review of the Warsaw International Mechanism for loss & damage – a process that spilled over from previous talks – negotiators are making slow progress at COP30.
A draft text has now been published, but the whole thing is bracketed – a sign of continuing disagreement
A draft text has now been published, but the whole thing is bracketed – a sign of continuing disagreement
COP31: It's not officially official – but the Guardian is now reporting that the next UN climate talks in 2026 will be held in Turkey, after Australia "drops push to hold it in Adelaide"
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Turkey to host Cop31 climate conference after Australia drops push to hold it in Adelaide
Fortnight-long event to be held in Antalya but Australia may lead negotiations
www.theguardian.com
November 19, 2025 at 10:09 PM
COP31: It's not officially official – but the Guardian is now reporting that the next UN climate talks in 2026 will be held in Turkey, after Australia "drops push to hold it in Adelaide"
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Reposted by Simon Evans
In a media huddle earlier at COP30, Latam ministers emphasised the urgent need to adopt the indicators as part of the global goal on adaptation in Belem.
Edgardo Ortuño Silva (Uruguay) said: "We will not accept less in our conference than the adoption of action indicators and implementation means."
Edgardo Ortuño Silva (Uruguay) said: "We will not accept less in our conference than the adoption of action indicators and implementation means."
November 19, 2025 at 9:01 PM
In a media huddle earlier at COP30, Latam ministers emphasised the urgent need to adopt the indicators as part of the global goal on adaptation in Belem.
Edgardo Ortuño Silva (Uruguay) said: "We will not accept less in our conference than the adoption of action indicators and implementation means."
Edgardo Ortuño Silva (Uruguay) said: "We will not accept less in our conference than the adoption of action indicators and implementation means."
COP30 STATUS CHECK:
While we all wait for the new draft texts to arrive (F5 F5 F5…)
Here's how things stand
Agreed items: 49
Items with draft text: 43
Items with no text or not agreed: 11 (inc "rule 16")
Items punted into next year: 18
www.carbonbrief.org/...
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While we all wait for the new draft texts to arrive (F5 F5 F5…)
Here's how things stand
Agreed items: 49
Items with draft text: 43
Items with no text or not agreed: 11 (inc "rule 16")
Items punted into next year: 18
www.carbonbrief.org/...
1/2
November 19, 2025 at 5:48 PM
COP30 STATUS CHECK:
While we all wait for the new draft texts to arrive (F5 F5 F5…)
Here's how things stand
Agreed items: 49
Items with draft text: 43
Items with no text or not agreed: 11 (inc "rule 16")
Items punted into next year: 18
www.carbonbrief.org/...
1/2
While we all wait for the new draft texts to arrive (F5 F5 F5…)
Here's how things stand
Agreed items: 49
Items with draft text: 43
Items with no text or not agreed: 11 (inc "rule 16")
Items punted into next year: 18
www.carbonbrief.org/...
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