Switzerland urges all countries to submit ambitious new climate goals at COP30

GENEVA

Switzerland is heading into the COP30, calling on all countries, particularly major emitters, to submit ambitious new greenhouse gas reduction targets, according to the country's environmental ambassador.

"At this 30th UN Climate Change Conference, Switzerland is campaigning for all countries to submit ambitious new reduction targets," Felix Wertli told the Keystone-SDA news agency, regarding the talks opening on Nov. 10 in Belem, Brazil, where nearly 200 nations will negotiate how to advance the Paris Climate Agreement.

Despite global tensions, he said the fact that so many countries are still working together "is a success."

As the updated national climate pledges, required every five years under the Paris Agreement, will be at the center of negotiations, Wertli said: "The aim is for countries to take stock of what they have achieved so far under the Paris Agreement and where we still need to make improvements in order to close the gap to the 1.5-degree target."

Switzerland submitted its revised targets in January, committing to cut emissions by at least 65% by 2035 compared to 1990 levels, mainly through domestic measures. The Swiss delegation also wanted stronger international investment in climate protection, more private sector involvement, and globally comparable metrics for adaptation to climate change.

Wertli said climate change has fallen off the political agenda in many countries but noted no other nation has followed the US in withdrawing from the Paris Accord after Donald Trump began his second presidency.

"We are not on course to achieve the 1.5-degree target at the moment," he said but added that progress since 2015 is clear, with projected warming falling from 4C to around 2.3C to 2.8C.