Climate change has also disrupted schooling and education of 242 million students, according to the Yearbook of Global Climate Action 2025 released on the second day of COP30 on Tuesday, November 11.
“Every tonne of carbon avoided, every ecosystem restored, every community made more resilient depends on action taken locally,” Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) said.
At COP30 in Belém, Brazil, there’s a clear emphasis to involve what the UNFCCC calls “Non-Party stakeholders (NPS)” which refers to local players such as businesses, investors (to finance green projects), regional administration in state and cities, and civil society like NGOs, activists, local communities. Capacity-building activities have been initiated in 85 countries so far.
“You are the first responders to storms, floods, heatwaves and wildfires – and your experience is shaping more resilient, more inclusive national policies and plans,” he said.
About 95% of the countries that submitted new climate plans called Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are already engaging with these groups outside the government. Registration of such entities on the Non-State Actor Zone for Climate Action (NAZCA) portal has more than doubled in the last five years, from around 18,000 in 2020 to over 43,000 in 2025.
“Through regional and city networks, you are showing that climate cooperation delivers clear benefits – cleaner air, safer streets, more resilient communities, and new jobs in the industries of the future,” Stiell added. The second day of the summit also met with clashes and demonstrations from climate activists and Brazil’s indigenous communities.
Big opportunities in renewables
The report highlighted a big opportunities with more than 1,001 commercial-scale clean industrial projects underway as renewable energy emerges as a promising market in climate solution.
Jobs in the sector grew from 10 million in 2015 to 16 million in 2023 with few takers.
Demand for green talent grew over 11.6% while the number of people with relevant skills increased only by over 5.6%, the report said without specifying duration. Transitioning energy, industry, and transport was on top of the six Climate Action Agenda for COP30.
About 77% of countries had updated their climate plans after the first Global Stocktake to review Paris Agreement in December 2023, with most focusing on energy transition efforts such as expanding renewables, improving efficiency and phasing down coal use.
California governor makes an appearance
California Governor Gavin Newsom reacts as he attends a press conference, during the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30), in Belem, Brazil, November 11, 2025. REUTERS/Adriano Machado
After a glaring US absence from the annual UN climate summit on the first day, California Governor Gavin Newsom made an appearance on Day 2 and assured that his state would continue to work towards climate solution despite US President Donald Trump dismissing climate change as a hoax.
“The United States of America is as dumb as we want to be on this topic, but the state of California is not. And so we are going to assert ourselves, we’re going to lean in, and we are going to compete in this space,” Reuters quoted Newom as saying. The governor is also considered a leading candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028.
