The voices of experts, journalists and activists – The professionals have their say (Part 4)
6. Expert interview: Martin Kaiser (Greenpeace) – „How did COP30 go?“
Greenpeace director Martin Kaiser gave a detailed interview on COP30 and summarised the situation precisely: the climate conference was a minimal compromise that did not solve the fundamental problems.1Expert interview: How did COP30 go? 🌐 https://youtu.be/NTq2IUhf4Gw .
Kaiser's key messages:
- The conference ended without a binding plan to phase out fossil fuels.
- Climate finance fell significantly short of what was needed
- Countries of the Global South leave the conference feeling betrayed
- Fossil fuel countries have once again made full use of their veto power
- A system that relies on unanimity cannot prevail against a few blockers.
- Greenpeace and other NGOs ran massive pressure campaigns during the conference, but were unable to resolve the structural problems.
7. Tagesthemen interview with Maja Göpel (transformation researcher)
Maja Göpel is a leading transformation researcher and was interviewed at COP30.3COP: Transformation researcher Göpel calls for more climate protection | tagesthemen interview 🌐 https://youtu.be/jwbUjDk0MqY .
Maja's assessment:
- The COP is a negotiation system that leads to „minimal compromises“.
- Real transformation does not happen at international conferences, but through pressure from civil society, elections and market changes.
- Individual countries or coalitions must take the lead – the consensus principle does not work
- Social cohesion is essential for a just climate transition
- Without social compensation, there will be no majority support for climate protection.
Göpels„ core statement: “We must think locally and act globally – not the other way around."
8. ARD Germany Trend – „How important is climate change to people in Germany?“
This post was a survey on climate awareness.4ARD Germany Trend: How important is climate change to people in Germany? 🌐 https://youtu.be/xp8kpj-RsYM .
Results:
- Over 70% of Germans see climate change as a major problem
- However, only 40 % are prepared to make personal sacrifices.
- Climate protection is supported when it does not „hurt“
- This highlights the central dilemma: genuine transformation requires sacrifices – but the population has little appetite for these if they are not distributed fairly.
Implication:
This highlights why social balance is so important. Without genuine fairness and security, the population will block climate protection measures.
9. ARD programme „KlimaZeit“ (Tagesschau, 21 November 2025)
On 21 November 2025, the Tagesschau programme „KlimaZeit“ reported on two key topics: firstly, illegal gold mining in the Amazon and its impact on the climate, and secondly, COP30 itself.5Climate Time 7:30 p.m., 21 November 2025 | Daily News 🌐 https://youtu.be/LEWD6HWeSIk .
Report on illegal gold mining:
- Illegal gold mining is rampant in the Amazon – with disastrous consequences for the ecosystem.
- Mercury use poisons soil and water
- Indigenous communities bear the brunt of the suffering
- Illegal gold mining is also a sign of the absence of state control.
Link to COP30:
The programme draws a direct line: while Brazil talks about protecting the Amazon at COP30, the worst environmental crimes are happening on the ground. This highlights the discrepancy between words and actions – not only in international agreements, but also at the national level.
10. ZDF heute journal podcast – „COP30 – what did it achieve?“ (Winnie Heesch on site)
ZDF correspondent Winnie Heesch was on site throughout COP30 in Belém and reports in detail in the „heute journal“ podcast.6COP30 – what did it achieve? | heute journal – the podcast 🌐 https://youtu.be/pjuDbT1tGfs .
At the conference itself:
- The courtrooms were filled with extreme tension.
- The process collapsed several times because countries could not agree.
- Saudi Arabia, Russia, Venezuela and other OPEC countries consistently blocked any progress on the issue of fossil fuels.
- Countries such as Colombia, Fiji and other vulnerable nations (island states) fought desperately for stronger measures – but failed against the blockade.
Emotional dimension:
- Heesch reports on the despair among the delegations from the Global South
- Many delegates feel that their countries are literally drowning while the international community agrees on minimal compromises.
- A delegate from the Marshall Islands said, „This is not a final document. It is a death certificate.“
On Friedrich Merz:
- Heesch reports critically on Merz's appearance
- He was only there briefly and made strange comments about the venue.
- His financial commitment was criticised as being too weak.
- He did not show the commitment one would expect from a climate chancellor.
Structural problems:
- Heesch draws a clear conclusion: the COP system cannot work as long as countries have the right of veto.
- 195 countries must agree unanimously – a system that is predestined for deadlock
- Alternative formats are gaining in importance
10. ARD programme „World Climate Conference – What does that have to do with me?“ (discussion programme)
This in-depth 90-minute discussion programme on ARD dealt with the consequences of COP30 for everyone.7World Climate Conference – What does that have to do with me? | mitreden.ard.de 🌐 https://youtu.be/X8LhOSbEn5I .
Discussion participants and their positions:
- Climate scientists explain that the measures taken so far are completely inadequate.
- Activists from the Fridays for Future movement criticise the lack of urgency
- Business representatives argue on the basis of costs – leading to sharp criticism
- People affected in climate-vulnerable countries report fears for their livelihoods
Key points of discussion:
- justiceWho pays for the climate crisis? Who benefits? Who suffers?
- speedAre the measures that have been decided upon fast enough? (Spoiler: No)
- bondingWhy are international agreements not binding? (Answer: Sovereignty of states)
- alternativesWhat works instead of COP?
Key findings:
- A participant from Bangladesh reports that her country is losing millions due to flooding – while the world debates millions in aid.
- A worker from the coal industry makes it clear: there can be no just transition without financial security for workers.
- Young people are frustrated – they see politicians making promises that are not kept.
