As Climate Change becomes increasingly more apparent in our world through natural disasters and rising temperatures, developing nations are hit the hardest. Between the need to protect their citizens from climate disasters and the push to make their own NDCs and transition to clean energy, developing nations are at a disadvantage financially.

Article 9 of The Paris Agreement states that “Developed country Parties shall provide financial resources to assist developing country parties with respect to both mitigation and adaptation”. Last year, at COP29, the parties agreed on a new target of $300 Billion a year to be provided to developing nations to adapt to climate change. Additionally, it was agreed that $1.3 Trillion would be needed by 2035.

Thus, the topic of climate finance was on everyone’s mind entering COP30. On one hand, developing nations were positioned to demand the $1.3T and more to adapt to the climate crisis. However, The developed nations responsible for providing finance, such as the EU, UK, and Japan, have historically been unwilling to consider more ambitious financing targets, citing domestic fiscal pressures.

At the Plenary Session, I heard developing nations tell their stories alongside the demand for support. Most notably is Tuvalu and other island nations that are under risk of sinking completely underwater in the coming decades if climate action isn’t taken. Tuvalu, in particular, is the most urgent case. Standing no taller than 3 meters above sea level, some projections believe the nation will be flooded by 2050. At COP30, Tuvalu called for stronger mitigation efforts, increased climate finance, and ocean-based solutions.

I was also given the opportunity to dine with representatives from Pakistan, another developing nation increasingly under siege by climate change. From drought in agricultural centers to melting glaciers, Pakistan is another nation arguing for increased climate finance. Most notably, in 2022, a third of the country was underwater from a historical flood. 33 million people were impacted, over 1700 individuals passed, and there was an estimated $44 Billion USD in damages. This flood is only an example of one disaster occurring to Pakistan, and one of thousands that hit developing nations every year. The delegates talked about how nobody in their nation wasn’t affected by climate change, all while developed nations penny pinch and avoid responsibility.

Pakistan contributes less than 1% to global greenhouse gas emissions. Tuvalu even less. Yet it is developing nations who suffer the most. Hearing the stories from across the globe, and even from indigenous people from our own country, was one of the most impactful experiences from the conference.

COP30 reminded me that to be in a developed nation is a privilege. To even attend COP30 is a privilege. It is our responsibility as the global north and as a major contributor to climate change to not only change our ways, but to ensure nobody is left behind in the process.

Claire Lawrence is a senior studying Applied Data Analysis and Public Policy.

My lasting impressions from COP30 are quite mixed. On one hand, I feel extremely grateful and privileged to have received the opportunity to spend a week in Brazil among delegates from across the world as well as my peers from UConn. Being able to witness international climate policy being drafted and edited in real time, is an experience I would’ve never imagined myself to have in a million years. However, on the other hand, I feel extremely disappointed. The change that many of us hoped to see from this COP was left out of reach, yet again. It was quite disheartening to see that the final proposal from the conference fell short of being the “COP of Implementation”.

Many countries are still extremely divided on key issues such as climate finance and the loss and damage fund. Developing countries have been advocating for more robust action to be taken from developed countries. Developing countries want developed countries to expand their financial contributions towards them. Their arguments lie on the basis that the lack of resources and finances that they have limit them from being able to focus on just transition initiatives. Developed countries, specifically ones that are the most responsible for providing financial resources, argue that they cannot consider these more ambitious targets because they are focused on their own domestic fiscal issues.

In addition to this divide, developing countries have been pushing for the loss and damage fund to be increased up to $1.3 trillion USD at this COP. Developing countries even went as far as holding up negotiations in retaliation to developed countries blocking discussions on this topic. However, this remained semi-fruitful as the final text did include language encouraging developed countries to contribute more towards the fund. However, this goal is set to mobilize by 2035, which is still 10 years away from now. It left several non-governmental organizations (NGO’s) and vulnerable nations extremely disappointed with the outcome. I have to say, I am disappointed too. This fund works to revitalize communities that have been left in jeopardy to threats from climate change and to also help recover communities that consistently face the harshest impacts from the issue. The fact that there is evidently no language to encourage and hold nations accountable to contributing to this fund, leaves many vulnerable nations in even more danger.

While I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to watch real-time negotiations and decision-making, I am so gravely disappointed by the outcomes of those negotiations. Developing and vulnerable countries need more support and resources to continue this fight against climate change. They are the least responsible for climate change, yet face the harshest impact from it. The entire ordeal is unfair, and there needs to be more of an emphasis on collaboration at the conference as opposed to the division between developing countries and developed countries. The fight against climate change is rooted in unity, and I hope that we as citizens of the world come to that realization sooner rather than later.

Kanika Chaturvedi is a senior Environmental Studies major.

Now that I am back from COP30 in Belem, Brazil, I have realized that some of the most meaningful moments happen outside of formal negotiations. While the first days of the conference I was focused on the dynamics inside the negotiation rooms, the rest of the week highlighted for me, the power of personal conversations, public interventions, and justice-centered across the conference. In this blog, I want to share a few interactions and moments that were especially memorable and impactful.

One of the most unexpected experiences was an hour-long conversation with John Kornerup Bang, the Global Head of Sustainable Growth Strategy at LEGO. What started as a brief introduction turned into a deep discussion about why the Paris Agreement succeeded where the Copenhagen conference failed. He explained how voluntary cooperation and political timing played a pivotal role in shaping Paris, and he shared insights from attending over twenty COPs. This conversation allowed me to ask many questions about the history of the conferences and helped me better understand the human strategy behind major climate milestones. I also witnessed a powerful moment when ministers from various countries were given three minutes each to speak. The most emotional intervention came from the Minister of Palestine, who emphasized their commitment to climate action despite the devastation of war back home. His request for the world to simply acknowledge their reality brought a heavy silence to the room, followed by strong, sustained applause in a show of support.

Beyond official speeches, I saw how activism and civil society shaped the atmosphere of COP. During one demonstration, African and international climate justice organizers called for renewable energy and equitable transitions. Their peaceful but firm action grounded the conference in urgency and reminded everyone that advocacy is essential for raising awareness about ongoing global injustices. Another event that stood out was the panel “Women at the Intersection of Gender, Conflict, and Climate Justice” at the UK Pavilion. Speakers from the UK, Somalia, and Peru discussed how climate change amplifies existing vulnerabilities, especially for women living in regions affected by conflict and instability. Their diverse perspectives made it clear that climate solutions must integrate gender justice, safety, and human rights. It was inspiring to see women from different parts of the world emphasize the importance of women’s leadership in climate action.

Overall, these moments have shown me that COP is far more than negotiation texts. It is a space where strategy, humanity, and urgency meet. I encourage anyone who has the opportunity to attend to engage in as many conversations as possible, as you will learn so much from the experiences, perspectives, and goals of people fighting for climate justice. I look forward to continuing to learn from the diverse voices that make this conference what it is.

Malak Nechnach is a senior studying Physiology and Neurobiology with a minor in Mathematics.

Overall, COP 30 was one of the most overwhelming but beneficial experiences of my life. Going into the conference, you know there will be many countries represented, but you never truly grasp how influential this conference is to so many areas and people around the world. Each day, I was constantly meeting someone new who had a completely different background but was there for the same goal. Everyone was there to support the climate in one way or another, but many countries had interesting ways of showing it. One of the key lessons I learned from COP is how important it is to talk to people with different perspectives. I was given the opportunity to attend an ocean panel about how to address ocean acidification. During this panel, there was a variety of speakers from different backgrounds who brought such unique perspectives to the conversation. For example, I was able to hear viewpoints from policy, finance, research, and local community representatives all focused on the same topic. Hearing these perspectives enhanced my understanding and made me realize that many of the discussions that happen at COP 30 involve countless considerations.

This leads to the next key lesson I learned from COP: how important language is in the Paris Agreement. I attended a panel about gender and climate change where a document was being reviewed, and delegates from different countries could offer feedback on the revisions. Throughout this discussion, delegates constantly recommended changes they felt were necessary. At first, I had a hard time understanding how such a small change—like a comma—could make a significant difference to a policy or document, until I heard the explanations from the delegates. For example, in the original document, one of the phrases used was “local indigenous communities.” A delegate requested that there be a comma between “local” and “indigenous” because, without it, the language implied that the agenda item would only protect indigenous communities that are local, and not all indigenous communities. This is just one example of the many corrections and small changes in policy language that can have a major impact, and it was something I learned during this discussion.

Overall, based on the key lessons I learned from COP 30, I am very excited to apply them to my personal and professional life. One of the ways I am going to apply these lessons is in the remainder of my education. As an engineering major, it can be very easy to get stuck in a technical mindset and not focus on other perspectives when implementing solutions. Based on what I learned from COP 30, I hope to change that by bringing a more holistic mindset to my professional career—looking at solutions not just from a technical standpoint, but also considering policy, community impact, and finances. Another way I am going to apply what I learned about critical language is in my future efforts to make a positive contribution to climate action. I will be more careful and intentional with the language I use and how I present my knowledge to others. Overall, COP 30 opened a variety of doors and perspectives for me that I look forward to applying in both my personal and professional life.

Sanya Sharma is a senior environmental engineering major.

When I arrived in Belém for COP30, I expected climate negotiations, speeches, and long policy documents. I didn’t expect the ocean to be so present in so many conversations, especially because previous COPs rarely gave the ocean much attention.

As I listened to scientists, Indigenous leaders, and coastal communities during COP, I started to see the ocean not just as a research subject, but as a quiet hero holding the world together. As someone who studies the ocean, I’ve long known its importance in regulating our climate and sustaining life. The ocean absorbs 30% of all the carbon dioxide we emit, and 90% of the excess heat we create. It is our biggest climate buffer, working tirelessly and silently.

But the ocean is reaching its limit. In just ten years, it has warmed by 0.2°C, an unimaginable shift for marine life. Coral bleaching is no longer rare—it is at its peak. Ocean acidification is eating away at shells and ecosystems. Sea-level rise is threatening all coastal areas. People in the coastal communities talked about falling fish catches, stronger storms, and land lost to erosion. It became clear that a weakening ocean harms not only ecosystems but also economies, food security, and traditions. Still, the ocean has rarely been given real importance in climate talks.

This year’s COP gave me hope!

For the first time, there was a full Ocean Pavilion, not a tiny booth hidden in a corner, but a central, vibrant space filled with conversations that finally recognized the ocean as a climate powerhouse. I sat in panels where local communities, policymakers, and scientists spoke side by side, and I felt something shift. I hope the ocean is no longer an afterthought.

Countries also stepped up. Brazil and France launched a Blue NDC Taskforce to accelerate ocean-based climate action. Of the 66 coastal national climate plans submitted this year, 92% included ocean measures, a number that would have been unimaginable a few years ago. Brazil also introduced the Blue Package, offering technical guidance, finance pathways, and support for countries to include blue carbon, coastal resilience, and marine conservation in their next NDC updates. Ocean Breakthroughs was another milestone. This is a set of written science-based targets for marine renewables, conservation, shipping, tourism, and aquatic food systems. An online platform will track whether countries actually follow through, adding accountability to ambition.

And in one of the most hopeful moments, the High Seas Treaty reached 60 ratifications and is now set to enter into force in January 2026. Watching leaders celebrate this long-awaited achievement, I felt genuinely emotional. Brazil has even committed to ratifying the treaty before the end of the year. For the first time, the vast areas of our global ocean with no protection will finally have a chance.

But as I walked out of COP30 on the final day, I also felt a heaviness. Because even with all this progress, there is still so much more to do.

We can’t afford to wait; this is the moment for implementation. During one panel, a local community member was asked what he thinks about the future of the ocean. He answered, “In this situation, I don’t think about the future as tomorrow.” He and his community believe the future is today, and they are already taking steps to protect the ocean. I hope decision-makers and negotiators adopt this same mindset and act urgently to confront climate change and safeguard our ecosystems.

From the ocean-focused sessions I attended, I learned that we must create climate finance that truly includes the ocean. Right now, blue finance is less than 1% of global climate finance. We must prioritize coastal and island communities that contribute the least to climate change but bear the greatest impacts. We must make sure every country includes ocean solutions in their 2025 NDC updates. And we need to align policy, funding, and business so that protecting the ocean isn’t seen as charity, it’s seen as a smart economic strategy.

As a scientist, I came to COP chasing data and policy outcomes. But I am leaving with something else—an understanding that the ocean should not be just part of the climate conversation. It is the climate conversation. As a student who wants to communicate science beyond research papers, I will continue engaging in outreach with schools and local communities, helping people understand why the ocean matters for climate change and how even small actions can help protect it.

Now more than ever, the ocean needs our protection, and we need the ocean to shield us from the accelerating impacts of climate change.

Anagha Payyambally is a marine sciences graduate student.