Business Leaders Face Crucial Moment at COP30 as 1.5°C Deadline Looms

Business leaders gathered at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil, on November 7, 2025, for what many deemed a make-or-break moment for a 1.5°C future. The UN Secretary-General's message was clear: humanity has overshot the 1.5°C limit, but there is still time to change the course of climate change. According to the Paris Agreement, the temperature goal reflects long-term change over decades, not individual years. What matters now is how fast and decisively businesses act to bring global temperatures back down and limit the impacts. The recovery depends on one sector above all others: business, enabled by governments that set clear, consistent rules and incentives that favor clean over fossil. The financial stakes are high. A report by the International Energy Agency (IEA) estimated that achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 would require a staggering $1.4 trillion in annual investments in clean energy. The IEA also projected that the global renewable energy market would reach $1.4 trillion by 2025, up from $1.2 trillion in 2020. The market impact of COP30 was palpable. The conference saw a surge in commitments from businesses to reduce their carbon footprint. Over 100 companies, including giants like IKEA and Neoenergia, pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. These commitments translate to a significant shift in the global energy landscape, with clean energy expected to account for 60% of global power generation by 2050. The companies behind these commitments are not new to the sustainability game. IKEA, for instance, has been a pioneer in renewable energy, with a goal of powering 50% of its operations with wind energy by 2025. Neoenergia, a Brazilian energy company, has been investing heavily in solar and wind power, with a target of generating 70% of its electricity from clean sources by 2030. However, the road ahead is fraught with challenges. The transition to a low-carbon economy will require significant investments in infrastructure, technology, and human capital. Businesses will need to navigate complex regulatory landscapes, manage supply chain risks, and balance competing demands from shareholders, customers, and governments. Despite these challenges, the future outlook is promising. The IEA's report noted that the cost of clean energy technologies has fallen dramatically in recent years, making them more competitive with fossil fuels. The report also highlighted the potential for clean energy to create new jobs, stimulate economic growth, and improve public health. As the world hurtles towards a 1.5°C future, businesses will play a critical role in determining the course of climate change. The commitments made at COP30 are a step in the right direction, but much work remains to be done. History will not remember who made the most pledges; it will remember who delivered.