70. COP30 Watch (Nate’s Back?)

Nature Nate is back (for today!) for his take on COP30 in Brazil, framed by his observations from Climate Week in New York City in September 2025.

COP30 (November 10-21, 2025) has just wrapped up in Belém, Brazil. Nate shares his thoughts on Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) and the new dynamics in global climate negotiations: a fragmented geopolitical environment leading to a weaker global alliance to commit to climate actions; the U.S. pulling back, a shortfall in the U.N. budget, and an almost empty Loss and Damage Fund for climate adaptation.

Despite the challenges, COP30 is still necessary and important. This is where countries and delegates can have transparent discussions at the global stage.

(The episode was recorded on November 20, when countries still yet to reach a consensus on mapping out the “roadmap” to phase out fossil fuel.)

This is Waste Not Why Not, a climate podcast from Ghost Island Media. It's hosted by Nature N8 (Nate Maynard), a sustainability consultant working on energy, ocean, and waste.

Support us on Patreon: http://patreon.com/wastenotwhynot
Follow us on Twitter @wastenotpod

EPISODE CREDIT

Nate Maynard (@N8May), Host
Emily Y. Wu (@emilyywu), Producer
Wayne Tsai, Audio Editing
Zack Chiang, Production Assistant
Show logo by Southwicks Graphics
Theme tune by Dac Chang

A Ghost Island Media production (@ghostislandme)

Support the show: https://patreon.com/wastenotwhynot

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.