15 December 2025

Wrapping up on COP30

COP30 concluded in Belém with a mix of urgency, ambition and hard-fought negotiation. While political tensions were clear and several agreements remained non-binding, the summit marked a pivotal moment in the global climate and circularity agenda. Countries, businesses and civil society came together in the Amazon to reaffirm the need for collective action, with circular economy solutions featuring more prominently than ever before.

Below, we look at some of the key takeaways from this year’s conference, including the landmark launch of the Global Circularity Protocol for business (GCP).

1. The Global Circularity Protocol launched: A major step forward for business action

One of the most significant outcomes of COP30 was the unveiling of the Global Circularity Protocol for business (GCP), the world’s first global, voluntary and science-based framework for measuring, managing and communicating circularity impacts.

The protocol provides companies with:

A harmonised methodology for assessing circular performance
A credible framework for comparable reporting
A practical roadmap for reducing waste, lowering emissions and improving resource efficiency
A clear way to demonstrate progress and hold themselves accountable

This is a milestone moment for circularity. Until now, organisations globally have lacked a consistent approach to measuring circular progress. The GCP aims fills that gap.

2. A renewed commitment to multilateralism

More than 190 countries reaffirmed their commitment to the Paris Agreement and to keeping 1.5°C within reach.

While disagreements continued, particularly around fossil-fuel phase-out pathways, the overall objective was clear: the world still believes in collective climate action.

Belém also saw:

Strengthened cooperation across the Global North and South.
Growing recognition that climate and nature goals must be pursued together.
Increased emphasis on adaptation and resilience.

This multilateral momentum remains essential for advancing the circular economy, which relies on coordinated regulation, data sharing and cross-border material flows.

3. Spotlight on nature, indigenous leadership and forest protection

Hosting COP30 inside the Amazon saw nature take centre stage. Countries committed to accelerating efforts to halt and reverse deforestation by 2030, with Brazil announcing new finance mechanisms and international partnerships to protect the rainforest.

Nature-positive strategies were increasingly linked with circularity, recognising that:

reducing extraction lowers pressure on ecosystems
circular resource flows protect biodiversity
closed-loop systems support long-term ecological stability

This alignment is expected to strengthen future policy on materials, waste and product sustainability.

4. Climate finance commitments tighten

Countries reiterated the need to mobilise at least $300bn annually by 2035 for developing nations.

This year, funding for adaptation finance tripled, prioritising resilience over emissions reduction.

Circular economy solutions (reuse, repair, remanufacturing and material recovery) were repeatedly highlighted as low-cost, high-impact strategies for both mitigation and adaptation.

5. A growing push for fossil fuel transition

Although a universal agreement on fossil-fuel phase-out did not materialise, COP30 saw the emergence of:

A coalition of 83 countries advocating for a global transition framework
Support from more than 140 businesses and civil society organisations
Brazil’s commitment to publish a roadmap for scaling clean energy

This represents a notable shift and increases long-term pressure on governments to adopt binding commitments at future COPs.

Why COP30 matters for the Circular Economy

COP30 showed a clear evolution in global climate thinking: circular economy solutions are no longer viewed as optional, they are recognised as essential to meeting climate, nature and economic goals.

The launch of the GCP cements this shift, creating the global foundation needed for: