COP30 has now closed in Belém, and the message throughout the conference was clear. The world is ready for progress, but delivery will depend on the people and systems that can turn ambition into reality.

The summit opened with stronger cooperation than expected. Countries agreed on the agenda quickly, and updated national commitments showed a modest improvement in global emissions projections up to 2035. While the improvement is far from enough to stay within 1.5°C, it still signals a shift in tone compared with past years.

Finance remained a central part of the conversation. Delegates reiterated the need to mobilise the 1.3 trillion dollars annually by 2035 that was outlined at COP29. What felt different this time was a stronger focus on how that money will actually move, rather than simply how much exists on paper. Discussions centred on new funding pathways, public and private collaboration, and accessible frameworks for developing countries.

Nature and adaptation played a major role throughout the summit. Indigenous leaders took the stage repeatedly, emphasising the importance of protecting the Amazon and ensuring that climate action includes local communities. Adaptation was treated with more seriousness than in previous years, with new initiatives for resilience, water management, and nature-based solutions gaining real momentum.

Across all of these themes, one issue kept appearing. The world does not just need finance, technology or policy. It needs people. Engineers, analysts, project leaders, environmental specialists and skilled workers across every part of the energy system are essential for turning COP commitments into measurable progress. Many speakers acknowledged the growing challenges around skills shortages and capacity gaps, which risk slowing the transition if not addressed.

This is where organisations like us at PACE sit within the wider story. As companies prepare for the next phase of climate delivery, identifying and securing the right talent will be one of the most important enablers of real progress. The workforce behind the transition will ultimately shape whether these commitments succeed or stall.

As COP30 comes to an end, the overall tone feels more grounded. There is less emphasis on long-term targets and more attention on delivery. Whether these commitments turn into meaningful change will depend on how well countries, companies and communities can build the teams needed to implement them.

The next phase is not about ambition. It is about action.

What did you think of COP30 this year? Did it feel like a turning point or another step in a long journey?