The COP30 summit in Belém, Brazil, closed on an unexpectedly strong note for the carbon market, marked by a surge in financial commitments and renewed confidence in nature-based solutions. Across the week before COP30 and the two weeks of negotiations, market participants announced $1.1 billion in new funding—a 42% rise from the previous conference in Baku, according to fresh data from Quantum.
Belém’s location at the edge of the Amazon was reflected directly in investment trends. Nature-based approaches captured $880 million, accounting for 78% of all commitments and signalling a pronounced shift back toward land-use and ecosystem restoration strategies. Within this group, afforestation, reforestation and revegetation (ARR) dominated with $640 million, followed by REDD+ initiatives at $192 million, while soil carbon and improved forest management saw moderate but meaningful flows.
Technology-driven environmental solutions received comparatively smaller volumes: $198 million went to renewables and clean cookstoves, while engineered removals totalled $46 million. Although CDR has enjoyed substantial backing in recent years, it grew at a slower pace during this COP—partly due to methodology revisions and shifting buyer preferences.
Several headline transactions helped define the momentum. These included BNP Paribas’ $160 million REDD+ forward offtake, Indonesia’s agreement to transfer 12 million Article 6 credits to Norway, and a significant soil carbon deal led by Mirova. Additional funds launched by Petrobras, Greencollar, AXA and Ardian further strengthened the outlook for nature-focused sustainable finance.
Away from the investment announcements, COP30 also delivered clarity on the future of global climate diplomacy. After more than a year of deliberation, countries reached an agreement that positions Antalya, Turkey, as the host of COP31, with Australia’s climate minister, Chris Bowen, set to preside over the talks—an unusual but strategically negotiated outcome. The decision is expected to be formally endorsed at the close of COP30.
Belém’s challenging conditions—marked by heavy rainstorms, transport bottlenecks and even a fire at the convention centre—reinforced the logistical demands of hosting a global environmental summit. Antalya, with extensive hotel capacity, a major international airport and a history of staging large-scale events, is anticipated to offer a smoother experience next year.
As preparations shift toward COP31, attention will now turn to Turkey’s expanding renewable energy sector and newly approved emissions trading scheme, alongside Australia’s influential role in shaping next year’s negotiations.