Bill Gates Urges Climate Focus Shift to Human Welfare Ahead of COP30

Bill Gates has called for a fundamental shift in the global climate agenda, urging leaders and investors to prioritize human welfare, health, and adaptation over solely focusing on limiting temperature rise. Ahead of the COP30 climate conference in Brazil, Gates emphasized that climate resilience is better achieved by investing in energy access, healthcare, and agricultural resilience, especially in vulnerable regions. While acknowledging the seriousness of climate change, Gates argued that it is "not civilization-ending" and highlighted that scientific innovation and clean energy advancements provide hope for avoiding the worst outcomes. He criticized the traditional emphasis on temperature goals, advocating instead for measurable impacts on human health and prosperity. Gates also challenged policymakers to scrutinize climate aid effectiveness and called on investors to support companies developing high-impact clean technologies to accelerate cost reductions. Although global emissions are projected to decline slightly by 2035, experts warn this is insufficient to avoid catastrophic climate change, underscoring the need for a balanced approach that addresses both emissions and human suffering.