The climate crisis is no longer a distant threat — it is here, and it is accelerating. The climate clock is ticking faster than ever. According to the Global Climate Highlights 2024, global temperatures briefly exceeded 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, underscoring that the climate crisis is no longer a future concern but a present emergency. As record heatwaves, floods, and wildfires multiply, the urgency to translate ambition into tangible action has never been greater.

As COP-30 unfolds in Brazil, climate finance stands at the center of global debate. Despite record flows of US $1.9 trillion in 2023, funding remains deeply uneven—favoring mitigation over adaptation and leaving vulnerable nations behind. Meanwhile, fossil fuels still dominate the global energy system, threatening to derail progress toward the 1.5°C target.

This session will explore how the world can move from pledges to progress—accelerating finance delivery, phasing down fossil fuels, and advancing nature-based and renewable solutions. It aims to foster a frank and forward-looking dialogue on how nations, institutions, and communities can align ambition with implementation to secure a just, resilient, and livable climate future.