By Alcilene Farias (UFPA/CFC-GS)
Next month, between November 10 and 21, Belém will host the 30th Conference of the Parties – COP 30 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The event will bring together leaders, scientists, and activists to discuss and negotiate actions needed to combat the climate crisis. The choice of Belém as the host city is not merely symbolic; it is a way of bringing the Amazon to the center of global decisions and strategies on tackling climate change. Brazil, as host, assumes a prominent role, reinforcing its commitment to multilateralism and the implementation of its goals under the Paris Agreement.
COP 30 promises to address a diverse range of critical issues, reflecting the complexity and urgency of the environmental agenda. Among these issues, climate finance stands out, as the mobilization of financial resources remains one of the greatest challenges for global climate action. A recent report published by World Weather Attribution (WWA) showed that if current emission reduction pledges are fully implemented, projected warming this century would fall from around 4°C in 2015 to 2.6°C. However, this would still result in a dangerously hot planet, with 57 extra hot days per year compared to the current 11 days, reaching up to 114 extra days in a 4°C scenario. Although early warning systems and action plans have expanded, limited funding for adaptation keeps progress short of what is needed, raising costs for health, labor, and infrastructure, especially for the most vulnerable. Therefore, it is urgent to increase global ambition, implement deep, rapid, and sustained emissions cuts, and strengthen adaptation to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.
Brazil has shown itself to be committed to finding new mechanisms to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement. In recent discussions at the Pre-COP, the COP 30 Finance Ministers’ Circle, led by Brazilian Finance Minister Fernando Haddad, has proposed strategic initiatives to advance the climate agenda, including the Forever Forests Fund, the Open Coalition for Carbon Market Integration, and Supertaxonomy, aimed at strengthening green investments and carbon markets. A recent report by the group highlighted challenges and practical recommendations for expanding climate finance, such as increasing concessional and climate funds, reforming Multilateral Development Banks, creating national platforms to attract sustainable investments, developing innovative financial instruments, and strengthening regulatory frameworks. Brazil’s commitment to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by up to 67% by 2035 reinforces the relevance of COP 30 as an opportunity to align national and global ambitions.
In addition to formal negotiations, COP 30 in Belém seeks to leave a tangible legacy for the Amazon region and Brazil. The event is expected to boost forest protection and local sustainable development. Infrastructure projects are also part of this legacy, aiming to improve logistics and access in the region. On the political scene, the proximity of COP 30 is already showing its impact: the Federal Senate, for example, postponed voting on bills that would relax environmental licensing, fearing popular reaction and inconsistency with the environmental discourse that Brazil intends to present to the world. This episode highlights international pressure and the importance of aligning domestic policies with global climate commitments.
COP 30, in Belém, is an event of strategic importance for the global climate debate. The choice of Belém, in the Amazon region, as the venue underscores the urgency of defined actions aimed at environmental conservation and sustainable development. For the event to yield good results, it is essential that the discussions result in concrete commitments, adequate financing, and, above all, the effective implementation of policies that guarantee a more sustainable future for all, especially for the most vulnerable. International cooperation emerges as an essential pillar for addressing global climate challenges, requiring the collective engagement of all nations, as it is through joint efforts and the sharing of responsibilities that it will be possible to minimize the catastrophic effects of the environmental crisis that is already affecting the entire planet.
