Focus on implementation

With this deadline approaching, COP has shifted from long-term pledges to near-term action. Governments will be focused on implementing existing plans, tracking progress, and investment in solutions to meaningfully reduce emissions and increase climate resilience. A central task is the submission of updated Nationally Determined Contributions (national climate plans) outlining each country’s approach to mitigation and adaptation; how they’ll cut emissions, transition to cleaner energy, and strengthen resilience to the growing impacts of climate change.

At a tipping point?

The need to accelerate both mitigation and resilience is urgent as the world approaches critical earth system tipping points. There’s mounting scientific evidence that warm water coral reefs, Greenland’s ice sheet, the Amazon rainforest, and key ocean currents are close to irreversible change. NASA data shows that the severity of extreme weather events has doubled over the past five years, underlining the urgent need for greater resilience.

Globally, seven of the nine recognised planetary boundaries (the limits that keep Earth’s systems stable) have been exceeded, including global temperature. Although the world hasn’t permanently breached the critical 1.5°C threshold, 2024 was the first full year to do so. To limit warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, emissions must peak this year, a milestone that remains uncertain.

The built environment plays a crucial role in creating positive tipping points to help transform our trajectory through low-carbon technologies and biodiversity promotion, and provides a setting for encouraging sustainable lifestyles and behaviours.

Accelerating climate resilience

COP30 is expected to emphasise resilience. The Paris Agreement set a Global Goal on Adaptation, but its broad definition has made tracking progress difficult. COP28 agreed a structured framework to support implementation, and COP30 is expected to extend this by establishing measurable indicators to assess if adaptation objectives are being achieved.

Adaptation finance will also be a major focus. The existing global target expires this year; many governments and climate organisations are advocating for stronger, more ambitious goals to help countries prepare for climate impacts. This renewed focus could also create opportunities for property owners and developers, including increasing access to green or resilience-linked loans and collaboration on climate-smart regeneration projects. 

The COP30 Presidency has also encouraged countries to submit updated National Adaptation Plans. These strategic roadmaps aim to strengthen resilience across infrastructure, agriculture, water systems, and communities. For real estate, these developments signal a growing emphasis on practical action and highlight opportunities to align property strategies with national and international adaptation priorities.

Real estate in a new climate reality

Climate adaptation is key for real estate. Rising temperatures, flooding, wildfires and drought are already shaping investment strategy, insurance costs and tenant demand.

As regulators strengthen disclosure requirements, investors need to demonstrate assets are prepared for physical climate risks. Those that don’t may face valuation implications or reduced liquidity, while resilient, future-proof properties are likely to outperform long-term.

Landlords and developers seeking to future-proof assets must ensure building resilience to extreme weather, while also assessing surrounding areas for climate risk. Corporate occupiers are similarly factoring climate resilience into their locational decisions, prioritising assets and locations able to withstand extreme weather.

Another important consideration is the co-benefit between mitigation and adaptation. Strategies that reduce emissions can simultaneously enhance resilience to flooding or other climate shocks. Recognising these synergies and the long-term benefits of climate mitigation measures will become increasingly key for investors, developers, and occupiers.

What real estate should watch for at COP30:

1. Adaptation indicators: globally aligned and measurable frameworks that could shape future reporting standards and risk assessment practices.
2. A new adaptation finance goal: expanding access to capital for property and infrastructure projects that withstand climate impacts.
3. National Adaptation Plans: providing insight into where governments are prioritising resilience investment, policy measures, and regulatory changes.

Further information

Contact Sarah Brooks or Marylis Ramos

Read more about how real estate and the climate crisis here.