At the start of Cop30, UN climate chief Simon Stiell warned that failing to address climate change will lead to famine, conflict, and economic stagnation. He emphasized the urgent need for action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

At the Cop30 climate talks, UN climate chief Simon Stiell delivered a stark warning about the consequences of failing to combat climate change. He stated that governments not transitioning to a low-carbon economy would face famine and conflict abroad, as well as stagnation and inflation at home. Stiell emphasized that climate disasters are already impacting economies, with extreme weather events causing significant GDP losses. The conference, hosted in Brazil, aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide financial support to poorer nations. Stiell noted that while temperatures have exceeded the 1.5C threshold, there is still potential to bring them back down through effective measures. The agenda for the conference was adopted without delay, but discussions on key issues like financing and emissions reduction remain contentious.