Macron Champions Multilateralism and Climate Action Ahead of COP30 in Belém
French President Emmanuel Macron reiterates France's leadership role and climate commitments ahead of COP30, advocating multilateralism and safeguarding French interests in trade agreements.
- • Macron condemns climate skepticism and disinformation ahead of COP30 in Belém.
- • France commits an additional 500 million euros by 2030 to forest support and allocated 7.2 billion euros in 2024 for climate finance aiding developing countries.
- • Macron calls for stricter global climate policies, especially methane emission controls, and urges adherence to the Paris Agreement goals.
- • He expresses cautious optimism on the EU-Mercosur trade deal after securing safeguard clauses protecting French sectors.
- • France critiques the Mercosur treaty’s initial form but remains open to approval if new clauses are effectively implemented.
Key details
In the lead-up to the COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil, French President Emmanuel Macron has taken a firm stance against climate change skepticism and emphasized France's commitment to global climate efforts. Macron criticized what he called the “prophets of disorder” who cast doubt on the urgency of climate change, urging world leaders to prioritize multilateralism and scientific consensus over isolationism and ideology. Highlighting the 10-year legacy of the Paris Agreement, he lamented the absence of the United States from the summit under the Trump administration's retreat from climate policies and warned that disinformation on climate threatens democracies and undermines the Paris agenda.
Macron stressed that current global efforts are insufficient to limit warming to 1.5°C and called on major greenhouse gas emitters to adopt ambitious policies similar to those in the European Union. He specifically underscored the need for stricter regulations on methane emissions. France announced a pledge of an additional 500 million euros by 2030 for forest preservation, recognizing forests as crucial carbon sinks. France also allocated 7.2 billion euros in 2024 for climate finance to assist developing countries, with 3 billion euros designated for climate adaptation.
Alongside his climate agenda, Macron expressed cautious optimism about the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, signed in late 2024 but pending ratification by all EU member states. He pointed to safeguard clauses secured for the French market and the livestock sector to mitigate concerns from farmers about unfair competition from South America. The European Commission plans to finalize these clauses in collaboration with Mercosur countries, potentially opening the way for approval. The French National Assembly had previously rejected the treaty, and Macron stated the agreement in its current form was unacceptable, though improvements could render it viable.
As the COP30 summit opens, Macron positions France as a determined advocate for global climate action and a key player balancing international trade and environmental concerns.