The issue of climate finance and justice is crucial, with vulnerable countries requiring “new, adequate, predictable and additional” resources to address the impacts, losses and damage caused by global warming [6]. We have known for a long time that the greatest effects disproportionately affect those who have contributed least to the problem. These include children, the elderly, women, indigenous peoples, communities suffering from racial discrimination and migrants. This is particularly true in low-income countries, which are outside the G20 and are responsible for 20% of total emissions [7]. In this context, climate finance is a central pillar in efforts to address global inequalities. It will be essential to support developing countries in making rapid and human rights-consistent transitions to zero-carbon economies (mitigation) and in adapting to the effects of climate change, to protect their populations from the human rights harms resulting from climate change. In fact, at recent COPs, the gap between promises and the actual figures made available has been very wide [6]. 

Given its Amazonian location, COP30 is seen as an opportunity to relaunch global action on tropical forests, biodiversity and nature-based solutions. Brazil is in a privileged position to help change the way tropical forests are treated in global climate efforts, not only as victims of deforestation and carbon emissions, but as key resources in the fight against climate change. The Amazon, which accounts for half of the world’s tropical rainforests, plays a vital role in absorbing carbon dioxide, regulating weather patterns and conserving global biodiversity. Its health is not just a regional issue, but a global priority. [4]

The transition from fossil fuels to renewables, fairly and equitably for all countries and workers, is another hotly debated issue in recent years. Every individual has the right to live in a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, but with the worsening climate crisis, this right, along with others, is increasingly under threat. Climate change exacerbates drought, damages crops and leads to food shortages and increased food costs. After decades of steady decline, world hunger has sadly begun to rise again. This scarcity increases competition for resources and can cause displacement, migration and conflict, resulting in violations of other human rights. It is often the most vulnerable communities, those that use the least fossil fuels, such as indigenous peoples and those living in island states exposed to rising sea levels and more violent storms, that suffer the most severe consequences of climate change and see their rights to health, life, food and education compromised. [6]

In order to give more space to all stakeholders present, the Brazilian organisation has set up two different areas within the conference area. The ‘blue zone’ managed by the UNFCCC, intended for official meetings and only for delegations of the Parties, heads of state and government, authorised observers, accredited press, and will host national stands; while the ‘green zone’, outside and adjacent to the blue zone, managed by the Brazilian COP presidency and open to the public. Side events organised by youth associations, civil society, universities, indigenous peoples, academics and artists will make everything accessible to as many people as possible. 

The biggest risk is that COP30, like previous conferences since the Paris Agreement, will become a symbolic event without concrete results. Some issues have been raised regarding organisation and accessibility. The choice of Belém poses significant logistical, infrastructural and participation challenges. For example, accommodation, transport and infrastructure are under enormous scrutiny. In addition, there are major geopolitical tensions and many divergent interests among the different nations present. Developed countries, developing countries, countries rich in biodiversity or fossil resources all have multiple interests to balance.

Among the results hoped for is certainly a package of operational decisions aimed at implementing the “Action Agenda”, with concrete and measurable commitments on the six macro-areas described above. More financial resources and an increase in funds for adaptation and technological progress in developing countries. Strengthened action for forests and biodiversity, developing mechanisms to prevent deforestation, support for nature-based solutions, and greater involvement of indigenous peoples. 

COP30 therefore represents an important crossroads, at a time when the window for action is very narrow and the decisions taken here will have an impact for the next decade. Climate change is no longer a future problem: extreme events, loss of biodiversity and impacts on vulnerable communities are already a reality. Policies must move from “what we will do” to “what we are doing”, and the role of Brazil and the Amazon underlines that the climate battle is not just about emissions from developed countries. If the conference fails to spur action, confidence in climate multilateralism could falter, making the global cooperation that is essential in this area more difficult.

Belém must not be just another summit, but an opportunity to move from promises to action. In the global climate arena, this conference must focus its energy on tangible results, adequate financing, real involvement of vulnerable countries and a transition that leaves no one behind. In a world that risks irreversibly exceeding the 1.5 °C temperature increase threshold, the success of COP30 is not only desirable, it’s indispensable.

Cover and preview image: Wooden map of the continents with a ship heading towards Brazil. Photo by Lara Jameson on Pexels.