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Pakistan's rooftop solar generation will for the first time exceed power demand on the country's electrical grid during daytime hours in some major industrial regions next year, a senior government official told Reuters.The outlook reflects a record boom in the country's solar panel installations in recent years that has delivered lower emissions and reduced power bills for some, but also disrupted the finances of debt-laden utilities due to a protracted decline in demand for grid-based electricity. "Pakistan will experience negative grid-linked demand during certain daytime hours because behind-the-meter solar is offsetting grid consumption completely," Aisha Moriani, secretary of Pakistan's climate change ministry told Reuters on the sidelines of the COP30 climate conference in Brazil.While regions in Europe and Australia sometimes experience negative electricity prices due to solar oversupply and low demand, Pakistan would be among the first major emerging markets where rooftop generation could exceed grid-linked demand in major areas entirely for lengthy periods. "Negative demand" is likely in the northwestern city of Lahore, which has some of the country's highest solar penetration, followed by Faisalabad and Sialkot, where industrial areas are driving solar adoption, she said. Power cuts and tariff hikes have pushed Pakistan's 250mn people to accelerate solar adoption and made it the world's third-largest panel importer, with solar's share in generation exceeding its neighbour China.The south Asian nation will see more frequent negative-demand events, especially during bright summer afternoons, industrial holidays and moderate temperature days with high solar output, said Moriani, Pakistan's lead negotiator at COP30. "Pakistan's challenge is not whether renewable energy will grow, it is how fast the grid, regulation, and market design can evolve to keep pace," she said.The south Asian nation is planning to introduce new tariffs for large solar users, as well as changes to fee structures to ensure businesses with panels share equally in the costs of grid upkeep, she said. Pakistan's grid-linked power demand is expected to grow 3-4% this year, slower than historical averages.Next year, consumption is expected to rise more steeply but could be impacted more by higher solar use, Moriani said. The surge in solar use has also pushed Pakistan to renegotiate its LNG contracts with top supplier Qatar and cancel cargoes supplied by Italy's Eni, Moriani said.Pakistan is looking for lower prices, flexible delivery schedules and potentially fewer cargoes, she said. While there were no formal negotiations with Qatar at COP30, the event provided "diplomatic space for engagement with energy ministers and commercial representatives," she said. "The key aim is to align Pakistan's gas import strategy with fiscal space, demand outlook, and seasonal patterns.Pakistan seeks stability and affordability, not expansion of LNG dependency."

Qatar's pavilion at the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30), held in Belem, Brazil, has organised a panel discussion entitled "National Communications in Support of Climate Action."The discussion featured a number of international experts and specialists in climate reporting and transparency systems. The session aimed to highlight the vital role of national communications and climate reports in enhancing transparency and improving countries' readiness to develop effective policies for mitigating and adapting to climate change, as well as aligning national efforts with the commitments of the Paris Agreement.The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change presented an overview of Qatar's efforts in updating its national reports and enhancing its readiness to comply with the requirements of the enhanced transparency framework under the Paris Agreement.The ministry emphasised the importance of exchanging experiences among countries to improve the quality of climate reports and support global climate action. During the session, participants discussed the importance of preparing national communications and periodic reports for States Parties, the role of accurate data in supporting decision-making, and highlighted the relationship between national communications, nationally determined contributions and national adaptation plans.They also reviewed the challenges related to capacity building and strengthening transparency systems in developing countries, and international cooperation mechanisms for developing climate reporting capacities.

The Education Above All (EAA) Foundation, a global education and development organisation, in collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP), successfully concluded a high-level panel discussion titled “Empowering Youth: Bridging Skills, Employment, and Sustainable Pathways” at the Qatar Pavilion during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP30). The session brought together international experts, private-sector leaders, and youth voices to explore how integrated skills development, apprenticeships, digital learning, and cross-sector partnerships can unlock meaningful employment opportunities, especially for marginalised young people, in the context of climate change.The panelists underscored that the twin challenges of youth unemployment and climate vulnerability demand holistic and collaborative solutions. The session opened with remarks from Mr Mahmoud Abdulaziz Al Marwani, Assistant Director of the Climate Change Department in Qatar's Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, set the tone for a discussion focused on resilience, opportunity, and youth empowerment and Mr. Fahad Malik, Head of Engagement at the EAA Foundation’s Silatech Programme, highlighted the strategic importance of integrating youth economic empowerment into climate-resilient development.Contributions followed from Mr. Richard Choularton, Director of the Climate and Resilience Service at the World Food Programme (WFP); Ms. Olga Petryniak, Senior Director for Africa Resilience Programs at Mercy Corps; Ms. Mariana M. Rocha, Chief of Field Office at UNICEF Belém; and Mr. Kevin Chalhoub, CEO of EV Lab and Head of Brand at Chalhoub Group; Together, the speakers emphasised that bridging policy with practice requires aligning education systems, labour markets, and climate adaptation strategies to create real, sustainable opportunities for marginalised youth.Participants also showcased practical models that connect vulnerable youth to economic opportunities in climate-affected environments, illustrating how climate-smart livelihoods, private-sector innovation, and community-based interventions can accelerate inclusive growth. Personal reflections from Ms. Solange Sampaio dos Santos, a 1MiO Programme beneficiary further demonstrated the transformative impact of skills development and tailored employment pathways in enabling young people to transition successfully into the workforce.Across both thematic rounds, From Policy to Pathways and Future-Ready Youth, experts called for strengthened collaboration among governments, development partners, civil society, and the private sector to scale proven models and ensure that young people, particularly those in fragile and rural settings, are not left behind. Panelists highlighted that equipping youth with market-relevant skills is essential not only for economic empowerment but also for advancing climate resilience and delivering on national and global commitments to sustainable development.Mr. Mana Al-Ansari, Chief Economic Empowerment Officer at the Education Above All Foundation, said: “Today’s discussion reaffirmed that young people are central to building more resilient, prosperous, and climate-smart societies. When we invest in their skills, creativity, and opportunities, we unlock the potential of entire communities. Guided by EAA’s mission to transform learning into real economic opportunity, from learning to earning, we remain committed, together with our partners, to ensuring that all young people, especially the most marginalised, are equipped to thrive in the green and digital economies of the future.EAA Foundation’s participation at COP30 contributes to global efforts to position youth economic empowerment at the heart of climate adaptation and mitigation strategies. By sharing best practices, amplifying youth voices, and fostering new partnerships, the Foundation continues to champion inclusive, sustainable pathways that enable young people to shape their own futures and contribute meaningfully to climate-resilient development.For more information about EAA Foundation, visit www.educationaboveall.orgFor media inquiries, please contact:Mohamed Al-AmriSenior Media Relations [email protected]+974-5000-9960Patience RusareSenior Media [email protected]+974-5993-1560

The Global Carbon Council (GCC), recognised as the Global South’s first internationally accredited carbon market programme under ICAO’s Corsia scheme, and the State Secretariat for Climate Change of the Province of Misiones, Argentina, formalised a memorandum of understanding (MoU) yesterday during COP30 in Belem, Brazil.The agreement was signed by Dr Yousef Alhorr, founding chairman of GCC, and Gervasio Malagrida, secretary, Department of Climate Change, Misiones, Argentina.The MoU establishes a framework for co-operation to promote the development and implementation of carbon market initiatives in Misiones Province.Key areas of collaboration are: Capacity-building workshops and training programmes on GCC standards, project registration, issuance processes, and methodology development; support for integrating GCC standards and methodologies into the domestic carbon market of Misiones; advisory support for finalising the provincial Carbon Policy Framework, aligned with Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement and other mutually agreed activities to strengthen climate action and carbon market infrastructure.Dr Alhorr said: “This MoU represents a significant step forward in advancing high-integrity carbon markets in the Global South. By partnering with Misiones, GCC aims to bring technical expertise, global best practices, and innovative methodologies to support sustainable development and climate action at the provincial level. Together, we will strengthen carbon market infrastructure, empower local stakeholders, and demonstrate how transparent and scalable carbon solutions can deliver measurable environmental and socio-economic benefits.”“This partnership with GCC provides Misiones with a unique opportunity to align our carbon policy and market initiatives with international standards. The technical guidance, capacity-building programs, and digital tools provided by GCC will enable us to implement high-quality carbon projects, strengthen institutional capabilities, and attract climate finance. We are confident that this collaboration will accelerate our climate action agenda, support sustainable energy and land-use solutions, and position Misiones as a leader in carbon market innovation within Argentina and the region,” added Malagrida.This collaboration reinforces both parties’ dedication to building robust carbon market infrastructure, supporting sustainable development, and fostering regional and international co-operation under the Paris Agreement.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres tore into nations for their failure to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, as Brazil hosted world leaders for a summit ahead of the COP30 climate conference in the rainforest city of Belem. Scientists have confirmed the world is set to cross the 1.5 C warming threshold around 2030, risking extreme warming with irreversible consequences. "Too many corporations are making record profits from climate devastation, with billions spent on lobbying, deceiving the public and obstructing progress," Guterres said in his speech. "Too many leaders remain captive to these entrenched interests." Countries are spending about $1tn each year in subsidising fossil fuels. Leaders have two clear options, Guterres said: "We can choose to lead — or be led to ruin." The COP30 conference marks three decades since global climate negotiations began. In that time, countries have curbed the projected climb in emissions somewhat, but not enough to prevent what scientists consider extreme global warming in the next few decades. The World Meteorological Organisation announced this year would likely be the second- or third-warmest on record, with the temperature average through August being 1.42 C above the preindustrial average, after record heat in 2023 and 2024. "The alarming streak of exceptional temperatures continues," WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said with the report's release. Outside of the conference venue - still under construction ahead of next week's summit start — a small group of indigenous people marched in a circle while singing and urging protection of the world's forests and their people. A flotilla bringing indigenous leaders and activists down rivers of the Amazon Basin to the conference was delayed and would not arrive until next week. During the leaders' summit Thursday and today, about 150 heads of state, subnational leaders and international organisations were due to deliver speeches that would be televised across the world. Missing from the lineup are the leaders of four of the world's five most-polluting economies — China, the United States, India and Russia — with only the leader of the European Union showing up. The US administration has opted to send no-one to the talks, unlike the others. Instead, top US officials were in Greece alongside fossil fuel giant Exxon Mobil (XOM.N) Thursday as it signed a new deal to explore offshore for natural gas. Some said the absence of the United States from COP30 may free countries to discuss action without any one player dominating the outcome. "Without the US present, we can actually see a real multilateral conversation happening," said Pedro Abramovay, vice president of programs at Open Society Foundations and a former justice minister under President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Lula planned to hold bilateral meetings Thursday with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, after meeting one-on-one on Wednesday with the Chinese vice premier and leaders from Finland and the European Union. "In a moment in which a lot of people are kind of claiming the death of multilateralism, I think there is a new space for a multilateralism that is not built in a top-down way from powerful countries towards poor countries," Abramovay said. Brazil is hoping the World Leaders Summit will deliver at least $10bn of its overall target of $125bn for its newly launched Tropical Forest Forever Facility, estimating that would be enough to start generating funds for conservation. China, Norway and Germany were expected to announce contributions in Belem, after Brazil offered the first investment and Indonesia matched that pledge. But the United Kingdom, which helped to frame the way the fund works, delivered an early disappointment on Wednesday, disclosing that it would be offering no cash.