Five Shifts: A Decade of Progress Since the Paris Agreement

Ten years after the landmark Paris Agreement, global climate data reveals a decade of transformation that few anticipated. Clean energy has surpassed fossil fuels in both jobs and investments, while most major economies have enacted climate laws or net-zero plans.

Yet, as geopolitical tensions, economic headwinds, and continued fossil fuel expansion test global momentum, the world stands at a critical crossroads. COP30 in Belém, Brazil, is being viewed as a defining moment — one where governments must prove that ambition can finally translate into tangible delivery.

Jennifer Morgan, former German State Secretary and Special Envoy for International Climate Action, emphasized, “It is a different kind of COP than we’ve had before… This is about going faster, going further, building on the success, learning from the lack of success—so that countries can fill the gap.”

1. Clean Energy: Defying Expectations

Once a niche sector, clean energy has become the world’s largest engine of new energy growth.

Clean-energy jobs have nearly doubled to 16.2 million since 2015, outpacing employment in fossil fuels. Solar power costs have dropped 80% since 2014, and renewables now contribute over 90% of all new power capacity worldwide.

Annual investment in renewables reached a record USD 2.2 trillion in 2025, more than twice the capital flowing into fossil fuels. Public support remains strong—eight in ten people across ten countries favor government investment in wind, solar, and nuclear energy, double the support for fossil fuels.

2. Impacts: Costly Delays

The UN Environment Programme’s latest Emissions Gap Report reveals that while projected warming could fall to 2.3–2.5°C with full implementation of national climate commitments (NDCs), progress remains far too slow. Current policies still point toward 2.8°C of warming.

Global temperatures are already 1.35°C higher than pre-industrial levels, leading to a ninefold increase in major heatwave risks since 2015. While around half of all countries now operate heat-warning systems, adaptation finance and preparedness remain inadequate.

Bill Hare, CEO of Climate Analytics, noted, “The world can still return to well below 1.5°C if the highest possible ambition is pursued. Getting to net zero carbon dioxide emissions globally by 2050 can halt warming relatively quickly.”

3. Climate-Centered Policy: From Planning to Implementation

More than 140 countries, representing 90% of global emissions, have now adopted net-zero targets.

Among G20 members, 19 mandate emissions disclosure and 14 require climate-risk reporting.

Nations such as Nigeria, Senegal, Brazil, and Indonesia have begun embedding climate goals into fiscal, regional, and sectoral planning. Brazil’s Finance Ministry has launched an Ecological Transformation Plan, integrating climate priorities into its fiscal strategy.

Henri Waisman, Director of the DDP Initiative, said, “Countries have begun to reshape climate governance and accelerate technological change. But the next decade must be about scaling up efforts and ensuring that ambition is consistently translated into action.”

4. Fossil Fuels: Four Countries Fueling the Fire

Despite global pledges, four major producers—the U.S., Canada, Australia, and Norway—have increased oil and gas output by 40% since 2015, accounting for 90% of the world’s net production rise.

Over the same period, Global North nations provided USD 280 billion in grant-based climate finance, while their oil and gas companies earned a staggering USD 1.3 trillion in profits—raising concerns about credibility and fairness in the global energy transition.

Christiana Figueres, architect of the Paris Agreement, stated, “The fossil fuel industry knows the new economy is rising, based on clean technologies that are cheaper and better performing. We’re entering an era where climate economics is as decisive as climate politics.”

5. Public and Business Opinion: Consensus for Action

Public demand for stronger climate action has never been higher. A 2025 Global Poll by the Potential Energy Coalition found that 89% of respondents want faster measures, and 86% support pro-climate norms.

Among businesses, 97% of executives surveyed by E3G support transitioning to renewable-based power systems. Hundreds of global corporations, including Unilever, have joined the We Mean Business Coalition, urging governments to accelerate implementation.

Fiona Duggan, Global Sustainability Senior Manager at Unilever, remarked, “Climate breakdown is already disrupting operations through floods and droughts. Forward-thinking companies are adapting and decarbonising fast—but governments must enable them to go further, faster.”

India’s Role: PSUs Leading the Green Transition

• India has emerged as a key player in driving climate leadership among developing nations.

• Under its enhanced NDCs, the country aims to achieve 50% cumulative electric power capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030 and reach net-zero emissions by 2070.

• Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) have been pivotal to this transition.

• Entities such as NTPC, NHPC, Coal India, ONGC, and Indian Oil are diversifying into solar, wind, green hydrogen, and biofuel projects.

• NTPC has already crossed 3.5 GW of installed renewable capacity, with a 2032 target of 60 GW.

• ONGC and Indian Oil have launched major investments in green hydrogen and carbon capture technologies.

• Coal India is pursuing mine reclamation and solar park projects across multiple states, contributing to India’s just energy transition.

These initiatives underscore how Indian PSUs are transforming from traditional energy producers into green technology enablers—aligning with the Paris Agreement’s long-term vision.

COP30: A Decade-Defining Moment

As the world gathers in Belém for COP30, the message is clear: the progress since Paris demonstrates that transformation is possible—but time is running short. The coming summit must bridge the ambition gap in national commitments, unlock finance for adaptation, and ensure just transitions away from fossil fuels.

The decisions made in Belém will determine whether the 2030s become a decade of decisive implementation—or one of missed opportunity.

The writer of this article is Dr. Seema Javed, an environmentalist & a communications professional in the field of climate and energy