A floating solar energy farm on the Cottbuser Ostsee lake in eastern Germany the EU hopes to strengthen supply lines for green technologies, like solar and wind power, chips and pharmaceutical ingredients Copyright AFP/File Ian Maule
Following the election of Donald Trump, climate change remains a pressing issue. Last year was the hottest on record – for the first time global temperatures exceeded 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above preindustrial levels.
With the pace of climate change accelerating, several critical trends are set to shape the global agenda in the year ahead.
has heard from Michael Jarvis, Executive Director of the Trust, Accountability, and Inclusion Initiative, to look at the important developments ahead in relation to the global climate and where political action is necessary.
Critical Minerals
Transitioning from fossil fuels to clean energy requires a significant increase in critical minerals, which are essential for technologies like wind turbines, solar panels, and electric vehicles. Many of these resources are found on indigenous lands and in developing countries, raising important questions about equity and sustainability.
Jarvis explains how countries like Indonesia are prioritizing critical minerals production and processing and pushing for a greater share of revenues. He emphasizes the importance of ensuring that in 2025, resourcerich countries and local communities benefit equitably from mineral extraction, turning these resources into engines for inclusive growth and sustainable development.
Accountability Gaps in Climate Finance
At last year’s UN climate talks in Baku, wealthy nations pledged $300 billion annually to combat climate change—a figure that falls significantly short of the over $1 trillion requested by developing nations.
Jarvis sheds light on the systemic challenges that hinder the fulfilment of these financial commitments and highlight the urgent need for transparent, inclusive and accountable ways to deliver and spend climate finance.
Impact of a Trump Presidency on the International Climate Agenda and COP30
With Donald Trump’s “America First” policies poised to shift incentives at home, but also undermine UNbacked initiatives on climate change and development, Jarvis considers the implications for multilaterals and negative impact upon Global South countries.
The signs for the agreements around COP30 look bleak.
COP30: The “Indigenous Peoples” COP in Brazil
COP30, hosted in Brazil towards the end of 2025, is set to spotligh indigenous leadership and activism, with a strong focus on protecting the Amazon—a region vital to global climate health. The main environmental concerns include climate change, nuclear energy and sustainability.
Jarvis says this landmark conference underscored the critical role of civil society in driving systemic change and ensuring inclusive solutions to the global climate crisis.
Financing for Development (FfD4) and Climate Action
The Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) takes place in Juhe 2025 and it presents a pivotal opportunity for world leaders to address the $4.2 trillion financing gap needed to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The conference concerns the ongoing process to align financing flows and policies with economic, social, and environmental priorities.
