This week opens with world talks in Brazil over the next set of international agreements on climate change, with leaders of some of the world’s highest-emitting nations skipping the conference. There’s also a wait for UK GDP stats and a possible end to the US government’s longest-ever federal government shutdown.
COP30 begins
The world comes together in Brazil for another set of discussions around climate change at COP30, although this year feels muted.
Ahead of the meeting, COP30 president designate André Corrêa do Lago released a letter calling for more action, saying that “almost” was not enough when it comes to climate change.
“We must go faster – to reach every country, every community, every member of our human family before more severe climate impacts do.”
Do Lago also said that richer countries have lost their enthusiasm for fighting climate. Leaders from the world’s leading emitters – India, Russia, US and China – are not attending the meeting in Brazil.
US president Donald Trump has repeatedly denied the science behind the rise in global temperature and the ongoing effects of climate change. However, indigenous leaders, high-ranking ministers and business leaders will still be in attendance.
COP30 lasts from today (10 November) until 21 November, although an overrun is expected as negotiations continue on more concrete agreements.
Growth and productivity
As the days tick by until UK chancellor Rachel Reeves delivers her Autumn Budget, Thursday (13 November) brings a vital bit of news that is likely to reshape her approach.
Reeves is mulling more ways to balance raising tax revenue while protecting the UK’s growth.
On Thursday, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) releases the UK’s third quarter GDP and productivity reports.
ONS stats released last month showed that the UK economy grew by 0.1% in August, while revising down July’s growth numbers.
A poll of Bloomberg economists found that most expected a modest 0.2% growth rate over Q3, while the Bank of England warned that uncertainty around the budget was stalling activity.
US shutdown
The next week will see if the US federal government shutdown is truly over, after eight Democratic senators crossed party lines on Sunday (9 November) and voted for a deal that would fund the US government.
For the past six weeks, the US government has been shut down after Trump’s Republican administration failed to secure congressional authorisation to continue funding. As a result, many ‘non-essential’ services were paused.
Thousands of flights have been cancelled – including in vital freight hubs like New York, LA and Denver – as airlines cut traffic. Air traffic controllers, who were required to work without pay, either called in sick or looked for other forms of employment.
Sunday’s vote is not a guarantee that the shutdown is over, and many Democratic figures remain deeply unhappy with the eight senators who crossed the floor.
A series of procedural votes are expected over the coming days, formalising the deal reached between both parties.
Other dates in the diary
· Monday: Announcement for the Booker Prize winners
· Tuesday: Catherine Connolly inaugurated as Irish President
· Wednesday: International Energy Agency publishes World Energy Outlook
· Thursday: UK education and training statistics 2025
· Friday: Border Force Maritime staff go on strike in dispute over pay
· Saturday: Co-operative Party annual conference
· Sunday: Chilean presidential and parliamentary elections
