Simon Evans
@drsimevans.carbonbrief.org
Press Gazette energy & envt journalist of the year 2022
Press Awards envt journalist of the year 2025 (shortlisted)
Deputy Editor + Senior Policy Editor Carbon Brief
https://bsky.app/profile/carbonbrief.org
carbonbrief.org
[email protected]
Press Awards envt journalist of the year 2025 (shortlisted)
Deputy Editor + Senior Policy Editor Carbon Brief
https://bsky.app/profile/carbonbrief.org
carbonbrief.org
[email protected]
SCOOP: Carbon Brief has exclusively obtained a list of 84 countries "opposed" to adding a fossil-fuel roadmap to COP30 deal – but our analysis found a series of contradictions & likely errors
For eg 14 on list are also roadmap "supporters"
Read more➡️
www.carbonbrief.org/...
For eg 14 on list are also roadmap "supporters"
Read more➡️
www.carbonbrief.org/...
November 28, 2025 at 2:08 PM
SCOOP: Carbon Brief has exclusively obtained a list of 84 countries "opposed" to adding a fossil-fuel roadmap to COP30 deal – but our analysis found a series of contradictions & likely errors
For eg 14 on list are also roadmap "supporters"
Read more➡️
www.carbonbrief.org/...
For eg 14 on list are also roadmap "supporters"
Read more➡️
www.carbonbrief.org/...
How could I forget, here's the UK version
November 26, 2025 at 8:23 AM
How could I forget, here's the UK version
So I took the revolutionary step of <checking the actual numbers with a calculator>
EV sales in the EU, Jan-Oct, per ACEA
2024 = 1,172,737
2025 = 1,473,447
-> a rise of 25.6%
🤡🤡 "EV market slows" 🤡🤡
EV sales in the EU, Jan-Oct, per ACEA
2024 = 1,172,737
2025 = 1,473,447
-> a rise of 25.6%
🤡🤡 "EV market slows" 🤡🤡
November 26, 2025 at 8:15 AM
So I took the revolutionary step of <checking the actual numbers with a calculator>
EV sales in the EU, Jan-Oct, per ACEA
2024 = 1,172,737
2025 = 1,473,447
-> a rise of 25.6%
🤡🤡 "EV market slows" 🤡🤡
EV sales in the EU, Jan-Oct, per ACEA
2024 = 1,172,737
2025 = 1,473,447
-> a rise of 25.6%
🤡🤡 "EV market slows" 🤡🤡
Hoo boy, another fictitious "EV market slows" headline from the Times
*EU EV sales are up 25.6% in 2025*
Receipts in thread.
*EU EV sales are up 25.6% in 2025*
Receipts in thread.
November 26, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Hoo boy, another fictitious "EV market slows" headline from the Times
*EU EV sales are up 25.6% in 2025*
Receipts in thread.
*EU EV sales are up 25.6% in 2025*
Receipts in thread.
🚨 JUST PUBLISHED: CARBON BRIEF’S #COP30 SUMMARY 🚨
It's an EPIC 20,000 words of top-notch, plain-english reporting…
–Global mutirão
–Adaptation finance
–Fossil-fuel roadmap
–China
+Much more
Very proud of team CB for getting this out so fast
www.carbonbrief.org/...
It's an EPIC 20,000 words of top-notch, plain-english reporting…
–Global mutirão
–Adaptation finance
–Fossil-fuel roadmap
–China
+Much more
Very proud of team CB for getting this out so fast
www.carbonbrief.org/...
November 23, 2025 at 4:12 PM
🚨 JUST PUBLISHED: CARBON BRIEF’S #COP30 SUMMARY 🚨
It's an EPIC 20,000 words of top-notch, plain-english reporting…
–Global mutirão
–Adaptation finance
–Fossil-fuel roadmap
–China
+Much more
Very proud of team CB for getting this out so fast
www.carbonbrief.org/...
It's an EPIC 20,000 words of top-notch, plain-english reporting…
–Global mutirão
–Adaptation finance
–Fossil-fuel roadmap
–China
+Much more
Very proud of team CB for getting this out so fast
www.carbonbrief.org/...
G20 DECLARATION: Fascinating to see this doc explicitly "welcome" the "global stocktake" from COP28, which included the call to "transition away from fossil fuels"…
This comes after it proved impossible to secure similar language at COP30, which was also chaired by Brazil
This comes after it proved impossible to secure similar language at COP30, which was also chaired by Brazil
November 23, 2025 at 2:54 PM
G20 DECLARATION: Fascinating to see this doc explicitly "welcome" the "global stocktake" from COP28, which included the call to "transition away from fossil fuels"…
This comes after it proved impossible to secure similar language at COP30, which was also chaired by Brazil
This comes after it proved impossible to secure similar language at COP30, which was also chaired by Brazil
COP30 TEXT ANALYSIS: One way to read dense COP text is to focus on the verbs. These are helpfully italicised – and for good reason.
MOSTLY INACTIVE: Carbon Brief analysis of the “global mutirão” text finds 69 inactive verbs, requiring no action, against 32 active verbs.
1/4
MOSTLY INACTIVE: Carbon Brief analysis of the “global mutirão” text finds 69 inactive verbs, requiring no action, against 32 active verbs.
1/4
November 22, 2025 at 8:21 PM
COP30 TEXT ANALYSIS: One way to read dense COP text is to focus on the verbs. These are helpfully italicised – and for good reason.
MOSTLY INACTIVE: Carbon Brief analysis of the “global mutirão” text finds 69 inactive verbs, requiring no action, against 32 active verbs.
1/4
MOSTLY INACTIVE: Carbon Brief analysis of the “global mutirão” text finds 69 inactive verbs, requiring no action, against 32 active verbs.
1/4
COP30 BREAKING NEWS: The likely final text of the "global mutirão" has been published, ahead of the closing plenary
Here's the snap analysis from the CB team…see last line
unfccc.int/sites/def...
Here's the snap analysis from the CB team…see last line
unfccc.int/sites/def...
November 22, 2025 at 2:52 PM
COP30 BREAKING NEWS: The likely final text of the "global mutirão" has been published, ahead of the closing plenary
Here's the snap analysis from the CB team…see last line
unfccc.int/sites/def...
Here's the snap analysis from the CB team…see last line
unfccc.int/sites/def...
COP31: It's now officially, officially going to Turkey / Australia
This 2-page doc sets out the division of labour:
Turkey = host and "COP31 president"
Australia = "president of negotiations"
unfccc.int/sites/def...
This 2-page doc sets out the division of labour:
Turkey = host and "COP31 president"
Australia = "president of negotiations"
unfccc.int/sites/def...
November 21, 2025 at 11:31 PM
COP31: It's now officially, officially going to Turkey / Australia
This 2-page doc sets out the division of labour:
Turkey = host and "COP31 president"
Australia = "president of negotiations"
unfccc.int/sites/def...
This 2-page doc sets out the division of labour:
Turkey = host and "COP31 president"
Australia = "president of negotiations"
unfccc.int/sites/def...
COP30: "Best available science" = IPCC is back
The second draft "mutirão" text "recognises the centrality of equity and the best available science…as provided by the IPCC"
The second draft "mutirão" text "recognises the centrality of equity and the best available science…as provided by the IPCC"
November 21, 2025 at 11:15 AM
COP30: "Best available science" = IPCC is back
The second draft "mutirão" text "recognises the centrality of equity and the best available science…as provided by the IPCC"
The second draft "mutirão" text "recognises the centrality of equity and the best available science…as provided by the IPCC"
COP30 "overshoot": The latest draft "mutirão" text makes what would be a first-ever COP reference to limiting "overshoot" of 1.5C
"reiterates its resolve to pursue efforts to limit [warming] to 1.5C [and] to limit both the magnitude and the duration of any temperature overshoot"
"reiterates its resolve to pursue efforts to limit [warming] to 1.5C [and] to limit both the magnitude and the duration of any temperature overshoot"
November 21, 2025 at 10:38 AM
COP30 "overshoot": The latest draft "mutirão" text makes what would be a first-ever COP reference to limiting "overshoot" of 1.5C
"reiterates its resolve to pursue efforts to limit [warming] to 1.5C [and] to limit both the magnitude and the duration of any temperature overshoot"
"reiterates its resolve to pursue efforts to limit [warming] to 1.5C [and] to limit both the magnitude and the duration of any temperature overshoot"
COP30 BREAKING NEWS
The presidency has just dropped a new package of texts including the "global mutirão" cover, which makes no mention of fossil fuels or roadmaps
Here's my snap analysis (pic)
unfccc.int/sites/def...
The presidency has just dropped a new package of texts including the "global mutirão" cover, which makes no mention of fossil fuels or roadmaps
Here's my snap analysis (pic)
unfccc.int/sites/def...
November 21, 2025 at 7:59 AM
COP30 BREAKING NEWS
The presidency has just dropped a new package of texts including the "global mutirão" cover, which makes no mention of fossil fuels or roadmaps
Here's my snap analysis (pic)
unfccc.int/sites/def...
The presidency has just dropped a new package of texts including the "global mutirão" cover, which makes no mention of fossil fuels or roadmaps
Here's my snap analysis (pic)
unfccc.int/sites/def...
COP30: As the talks edge towards their scheduled end, publicly visible signs of progress seem to have stalled
November 20, 2025 at 4:00 PM
COP30: As the talks edge towards their scheduled end, publicly visible signs of progress seem to have stalled
COP30 NEW TEXT: (No, not the big one)
There's a nearly-final draft on Article 6.4 carbon markets, where much of the controversial content has been deleted
* fight over SBM term limits deferred
* CDM extension is 6m only
* no longer "micromanages" SBM
unfccc.int/sites/def...
There's a nearly-final draft on Article 6.4 carbon markets, where much of the controversial content has been deleted
* fight over SBM term limits deferred
* CDM extension is 6m only
* no longer "micromanages" SBM
unfccc.int/sites/def...
November 20, 2025 at 1:06 PM
COP30 NEW TEXT: (No, not the big one)
There's a nearly-final draft on Article 6.4 carbon markets, where much of the controversial content has been deleted
* fight over SBM term limits deferred
* CDM extension is 6m only
* no longer "micromanages" SBM
unfccc.int/sites/def...
There's a nearly-final draft on Article 6.4 carbon markets, where much of the controversial content has been deleted
* fight over SBM term limits deferred
* CDM extension is 6m only
* no longer "micromanages" SBM
unfccc.int/sites/def...
Moreover, with only a couple of days to go, almost all of the main issues are yet to be agreed, notably including which country will host the next COP31 talks in 2026…
www.carbonbrief.org/...
2/2
www.carbonbrief.org/...
2/2
November 19, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Moreover, with only a couple of days to go, almost all of the main issues are yet to be agreed, notably including which country will host the next COP31 talks in 2026…
www.carbonbrief.org/...
2/2
www.carbonbrief.org/...
2/2
COP30 STATUS CHECK:
While we all wait for the new draft texts to arrive (F5 F5 F5…)
Here's how things stand
Agreed items: 49
Items with draft text: 43
Items with no text or not agreed: 11 (inc "rule 16")
Items punted into next year: 18
www.carbonbrief.org/...
1/2
While we all wait for the new draft texts to arrive (F5 F5 F5…)
Here's how things stand
Agreed items: 49
Items with draft text: 43
Items with no text or not agreed: 11 (inc "rule 16")
Items punted into next year: 18
www.carbonbrief.org/...
1/2
November 19, 2025 at 5:48 PM
COP30 STATUS CHECK:
While we all wait for the new draft texts to arrive (F5 F5 F5…)
Here's how things stand
Agreed items: 49
Items with draft text: 43
Items with no text or not agreed: 11 (inc "rule 16")
Items punted into next year: 18
www.carbonbrief.org/...
1/2
While we all wait for the new draft texts to arrive (F5 F5 F5…)
Here's how things stand
Agreed items: 49
Items with draft text: 43
Items with no text or not agreed: 11 (inc "rule 16")
Items punted into next year: 18
www.carbonbrief.org/...
1/2
COP30 ADAPTATION FINANCE: It's worth recalling the previous goal, adopted at COP26
Specifically, this "urge[d]" developed countries to "at least" double adaptation finance from 2019-2025
This is same wording as Opt 3 in latest COP30 draft, altho that also adds an annual dialogue on progress
Specifically, this "urge[d]" developed countries to "at least" double adaptation finance from 2019-2025
This is same wording as Opt 3 in latest COP30 draft, altho that also adds an annual dialogue on progress
November 19, 2025 at 2:55 PM
COP30 ADAPTATION FINANCE: It's worth recalling the previous goal, adopted at COP26
Specifically, this "urge[d]" developed countries to "at least" double adaptation finance from 2019-2025
This is same wording as Opt 3 in latest COP30 draft, altho that also adds an annual dialogue on progress
Specifically, this "urge[d]" developed countries to "at least" double adaptation finance from 2019-2025
This is same wording as Opt 3 in latest COP30 draft, altho that also adds an annual dialogue on progress
I gather the options on scope of the UAE dialogue are bridging proposals from AILAC, EU/China
Anyway, you can see the draft text here
unfccc.int/sites/defaul...
Anyway, you can see the draft text here
unfccc.int/sites/defaul...
November 18, 2025 at 12:17 PM
I gather the options on scope of the UAE dialogue are bridging proposals from AILAC, EU/China
Anyway, you can see the draft text here
unfccc.int/sites/defaul...
Anyway, you can see the draft text here
unfccc.int/sites/defaul...
Meanwhile, on arrangements for 2nd global stocktake in 2028, wide disagreement continues
Opt 1 would give a bunch of guidance for GST2, inc possibly recognising IPCC as "best available science"
Opt 2 says "we can't agree, we're going to stop talking"
Opt 1 would give a bunch of guidance for GST2, inc possibly recognising IPCC as "best available science"
Opt 2 says "we can't agree, we're going to stop talking"
November 18, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Meanwhile, on arrangements for 2nd global stocktake in 2028, wide disagreement continues
Opt 1 would give a bunch of guidance for GST2, inc possibly recognising IPCC as "best available science"
Opt 2 says "we can't agree, we're going to stop talking"
Opt 1 would give a bunch of guidance for GST2, inc possibly recognising IPCC as "best available science"
Opt 2 says "we can't agree, we're going to stop talking"
However, there is still deadlock over whether the UAE dialogue should result in substantive outcomes
9: report / no report
10: annual COP decision / no decision
11: annual ministerial roundtable / none
9: report / no report
10: annual COP decision / no decision
11: annual ministerial roundtable / none
November 18, 2025 at 12:17 PM
However, there is still deadlock over whether the UAE dialogue should result in substantive outcomes
9: report / no report
10: annual COP decision / no decision
11: annual ministerial roundtable / none
9: report / no report
10: annual COP decision / no decision
11: annual ministerial roundtable / none
COP30 TEXT: New draft on UAE stocktake dialogue – seems finally some movement after 2yrs of stasis
There had been a split over whether to focus on whole stocktake, inc energy transition, or ONLY finance
New draft has 3x options, all fairly broad, with varying focus on "means of implementation"
There had been a split over whether to focus on whole stocktake, inc energy transition, or ONLY finance
New draft has 3x options, all fairly broad, with varying focus on "means of implementation"
November 18, 2025 at 12:17 PM
COP30 TEXT: New draft on UAE stocktake dialogue – seems finally some movement after 2yrs of stasis
There had been a split over whether to focus on whole stocktake, inc energy transition, or ONLY finance
New draft has 3x options, all fairly broad, with varying focus on "means of implementation"
There had been a split over whether to focus on whole stocktake, inc energy transition, or ONLY finance
New draft has 3x options, all fairly broad, with varying focus on "means of implementation"
Finally on trade measures, para 58
Opt1 take note of response measures / technical w'shops
Opt2 dialogues at Bonn meetings
Opt3 new info-sharing "platform" on trade measures
Opt4 UNSG summit on trade + annual dialogue + report
Opt1 take note of response measures / technical w'shops
Opt2 dialogues at Bonn meetings
Opt3 new info-sharing "platform" on trade measures
Opt4 UNSG summit on trade + annual dialogue + report
November 18, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Finally on trade measures, para 58
Opt1 take note of response measures / technical w'shops
Opt2 dialogues at Bonn meetings
Opt3 new info-sharing "platform" on trade measures
Opt4 UNSG summit on trade + annual dialogue + report
Opt1 take note of response measures / technical w'shops
Opt2 dialogues at Bonn meetings
Opt3 new info-sharing "platform" on trade measures
Opt4 UNSG summit on trade + annual dialogue + report
More on finance in para 57, re Article 9.1…NB no text option
Opt1 legally-binding action plan on 9.1
Opt2 work prog + 4 roadmaps
Opt3 roundtable + work prog on NCQG
Opt4 new "de-risking facility"
Opt5 no text
Opt1 legally-binding action plan on 9.1
Opt2 work prog + 4 roadmaps
Opt3 roundtable + work prog on NCQG
Opt4 new "de-risking facility"
Opt5 no text
November 18, 2025 at 12:06 PM
More on finance in para 57, re Article 9.1…NB no text option
Opt1 legally-binding action plan on 9.1
Opt2 work prog + 4 roadmaps
Opt3 roundtable + work prog on NCQG
Opt4 new "de-risking facility"
Opt5 no text
Opt1 legally-binding action plan on 9.1
Opt2 work prog + 4 roadmaps
Opt3 roundtable + work prog on NCQG
Opt4 new "de-risking facility"
Opt5 no text
On finance, para 51 refers to Article 9.1 & "calls for" accelerated implementation, which is fairly woolly
52/53 "emphasise urgent need" but not directed at particular countries
Para 56 options are
Opt1 binding goal to triple adaptation finance
Opt2 acknowledge needs
Opt3 "urge" tripling
52/53 "emphasise urgent need" but not directed at particular countries
Para 56 options are
Opt1 binding goal to triple adaptation finance
Opt2 acknowledge needs
Opt3 "urge" tripling
November 18, 2025 at 11:55 AM
On finance, para 51 refers to Article 9.1 & "calls for" accelerated implementation, which is fairly woolly
52/53 "emphasise urgent need" but not directed at particular countries
Para 56 options are
Opt1 binding goal to triple adaptation finance
Opt2 acknowledge needs
Opt3 "urge" tripling
52/53 "emphasise urgent need" but not directed at particular countries
Para 56 options are
Opt1 binding goal to triple adaptation finance
Opt2 acknowledge needs
Opt3 "urge" tripling
Para 44 has more on ambition and 1.5C
Opt1 annual COP discussions + ref to "FF transition"
Opt2 voluntary "implementation accelerator" + report
Opt3 Belém 1.5 roadmap + report
Notably, there isn't a "no text" option, but arguably Opt2 is pretty woolly as only voluntary
Opt1 annual COP discussions + ref to "FF transition"
Opt2 voluntary "implementation accelerator" + report
Opt3 Belém 1.5 roadmap + report
Notably, there isn't a "no text" option, but arguably Opt2 is pretty woolly as only voluntary
November 18, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Para 44 has more on ambition and 1.5C
Opt1 annual COP discussions + ref to "FF transition"
Opt2 voluntary "implementation accelerator" + report
Opt3 Belém 1.5 roadmap + report
Notably, there isn't a "no text" option, but arguably Opt2 is pretty woolly as only voluntary
Opt1 annual COP discussions + ref to "FF transition"
Opt2 voluntary "implementation accelerator" + report
Opt3 Belém 1.5 roadmap + report
Notably, there isn't a "no text" option, but arguably Opt2 is pretty woolly as only voluntary