The Baikal Lake Foundation, established by Baikal Communications Group, took part in the 30th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30), held in Belém, Brazil. The summit became one of the principal international events of the year in the field of climate policy. It set the direction for the global climate agenda for the next decade and outlined strategic benchmarks for governments, businesses, scientific institutions, and civil society.

The Foundation participated as an accredited observer and a partner of the Water for Climate Pavilion, ensuring expert engagement across the key negotiation tracks, including adaptation, sustainable development, nature-based solutions, water policy, economic mechanisms, and climate justice.

Key Focus Areas and COP30 Outcomes Highlighted by the Baikal Lake Foundation

Adaptation and Resilience
A comprehensive package of adaptation decisions was adopted. Its central element is the commitment to triple global adaptation finance by 2035. This commitment was included in the final Belém Package endorsed by 195 countries.

Nature-Based Solutions
One of the most significant directions was the nature agenda. The Tropical Forests Forever Facility — an international mechanism for long-term financing of forest protection — was launched. Initial commitments were presented to secure land rights for Indigenous Peoples and local communities covering 160 million hectares.

Water Agenda
Water was recognized as a key resource for climate adaptation. COP30 adopted a Joint Statement on Water and Climate, and countries presented major regional programs for the development of water infrastructure, including modernization of irrigation systems, improved access to freshwater, and flood-protection measures. These initiatives will serve as the foundation for preparations for the UN Water Conference in 2026.

Health, Education, and Social Resilience
A global plan for adapting health systems — the Belém Health Action Plan — was adopted with the support of 80 countries. Initiatives aimed at developing skills for the climate economy were launched. Issues of human rights, social resilience, and information integrity were integrated into the negotiation process at a systemic level for the first time.

Energy and Industry
Plans for accelerated development of low-carbon industries and sustainable fuels were presented. The Belém Declaration on Global Green Industrialization was adopted, aimed at transforming industrial supply chains and promoting technologies with low carbon impact.

Financial Architecture
Countries agreed on mechanisms for sustainable finance and tools for aligning taxonomies. They declared their readiness to mobilize more than USD 1.3 trillion under the Baku–Belém Roadmap. National financing platforms for climate solutions were established with support from the Green Climate Fund.

Political Phase Outcomes
Despite progress achieved, countries were unable to reach agreement on a unified roadmap for a phased transition away from fossil fuels. Brazil announced its intention to develop relevant mechanisms outside the formal negotiation framework.

The participation of the Baikal Lake Foundation in COP30 ensured expert monitoring of the summit’s decisions and contributed to strengthening Russia’s position in negotiations by presenting the experience of the non-profit sector in advancing climate objectives.

Baikal Communications Group established the Baikal Lake Foundation in 2016. The organization has implemented systemic projects in waste management in national parks, biodiversity conservation in the Lake Baikal region, and development of local communities, as well as providing expertise on climate policy and water resource conservation, repeatedly presented at the federal level and within international organizations.

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