LocationsWhy strong institutions, transparency and inclusive leadership are key to delivering climate solutions at COP30 and beyond
November 12, 2025
Climate change is not only an environmental issue. Effective governance is critical to implementing effective solutions.
As the world gathers in Belém, Brazil for the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), marking the tenth anniversary of the historic 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, the focus has shifted towards the urgent need for implementation–a new era of climate solutions and action.
Effective governance is a key part of this new era. Climate change is not simply an environmental issue; it is a multidimensional challenge that intersects with governance at every level. Effective governance determines how communities prepare for, respond to and recover from climate impacts. It shapes policy decisions, resource allocations and the inclusion of marginalized voices in climate action. While poor governance can exacerbate vulnerabilities, strong institutions are essential for fostering adaptation, mitigation and equitable growth, making governance indispensable to achieving meaningful climate progress.
This is especially important if we are to implement the latest round of pledges under the Paris Agreement. UNDP’s Climate Promise, a flagship initiative, has supported more than 90 percent of developing countries to design their national pledges on climate change (Nationally Determined Contributions or NDCs). In Nigeria, UN agencies have supported the government’s plan to cut GHG emissions by 32 percent by 2035, while expanding renewable energy sources and creating jobs. In Cambodia, 12 UN agencies assisted the government in setting targets to achieve 80 percent renewable energy by 2035 and halve deforestation by 2030.
The next step is turning these commitments under the Paris Agreement into results and impact: connecting policies, unlocking finance and ensuring local communities are part of the process. Effective governance is essential.
Here are three ways effective governance can drive transformational change in the new era of climate action:
UNDP's Climate Promise initiative helps countries design climate action, including strategies to reduce emissions while expanding renewable energy sources and creating jobs.
Robust policy and institutions: Governments that integrate climate objectives into national development plans, legal systems and sectoral strategies lay the groundwork for coherent action. UNDP supports countries in developing clear policies, robust regulations, and efficient institutions that coordinate efforts across ministries and scales. This alignment ensures that climate commitments are translated into tangible programmes and investments, creating a stable environment where adaptation and mitigation can thrive.
When policy and budgets are transparent and priorities are clear, investors gain confidence and funds flow faster. With UNDP’s support, countries using Integrated National Financing Frameworks have already mobilized US$16 billion in new resources and aligned $32 billion with national goals. Every dollar invested in adaptation can return more than 10 dollars in economic gains and avoided losses, showing that good governance is also smart economics.
Enhancing transparency and accountability: Transparent and accountable governance is crucial to ensure that climate resources reach those most in need and that progress is meaningfully tracked. Open data, participatory decision-making and public monitoring mechanisms empower citizens and stakeholders to hold institutions to account. UNDP promotes the use of transparent climate finance systems and encourages regular reporting, so governments and communities can measure success and make data-driven adjustments. This openness builds trust, reduces corruption and encourages continued investment in climate solutions.
For example, the right to a clean and healthy environment, now written into the constitutions of more than 150 countries, gives people a legal tool to demand action. Nepal’s Supreme Court confirmed this right as part of the constitution. In Ecuador, citizens have used it to protect rivers and forests. Across Africa and Latin America, courts are helping communities amplify their voices on environmental issues. Justice and accountability are essential to lasting climate progress.
- Fostering inclusive participation and local empowerment: The most effective climate actions are those shaped by the voices and needs of all people–especially women, indigenous peoples, youth and marginalized groups. Inclusive governance guarantees that climate strategies reflect diverse perspectives and local realities. UNDP invests in capacity-building at the local level, empowering communities and governments to design and deliver adaptation and mitigation initiatives tailored to their unique challenges. By bringing everyone to the table, governance not only enhances equity but also uncovers innovative solutions that may otherwise be overlooked.
"Inclusive governance guarantees that climate strategies reflect diverse perspectives and local realities."
This isn’t just theory: in 2024, UNDP conducted the Peoples’ Climate Vote, the world’s largest public survey on climate change, covering 77 countries and representing 87 percent of the global population. The survey found that 8 in 10 people want stronger government action on climate change, and 86 percent want countries to set aside their geopolitical differences and work together. The world is ready for inclusive, impactful leadership.
As COP30 in Belem ushers in a new era of climate action, it is time to turn goals into tangible results. Effective governance–from policy and institutions, transparency and accountability, and inclusivity–have a key role to play. By investing in these foundations, countries can unlock new opportunities and ensure a sustainable, equitable future for all.
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