COP 30 in Brazil seeks a united front to combat climate change

The 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), which begins in Brazil in less than a month, is facing a major challenge, which is to unite the countries of the world around continuing to work to combat the climate crisis despite the difficulties and obstacles, most notably the United States’ withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva insisted that the coastal city of Belem in the Amazon region be the venue for holding the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Agreement on Climate Change between November 10 and 21, which is the most important annual milestone in the negotiations related to this issue.

So far, only a few leaders (Colombia, South Africa, and others) have confirmed participation, while many were late in making their decision, given the current stage of geopolitical and economic turmoil. Prince William will represent the King of Britain, Charles, while the Austrian President refrained from participating due to hotel prices.

This sharp rise in prices threatens the participation of NGOs and poor countries, to the point that it overshadows the substance of the negotiations.

Countries including Gambia, Cape Verde and Japan indicated to Agence France-Presse that they would likely reduce their delegations.

The informal ministerial meeting that precedes the conference will be held in Brasilia and is devoted to a final review of the current situation.

In early October, Lula acknowledged – from the conference site – Belem’s problems, but added: “We must show the world the reality of the Amazon.” Lula was briefed on the progress of construction work in this city with limited infrastructure and a population of 1.4 million people.

In a provocative tone, he confirmed that he intended to “sleep on a boat in a hammock.”

The conference is being held with high expectations, after the world witnessed the hottest two years ever, and the spread of heat waves and storms causing casualties.

But unlike the last two sessions that resulted in landmark agreements on fossil fuels and finance, Marta Torres-Ganfaus of the Edre Research Center called for “not to expect big headlines or agreements on big, bold issues.”

The Brazilian presidency, in particular, will be keen to show that countries still believe in the multilateral approach, despite difficulties including the United States’ withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, tariff and trade wars, the rise of parties skeptical of climate change, and others.

Lula, who is expected to run for a new presidential term next year, wants to confirm Brazil’s “return” to the international arena, after hosting the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro at the end of 2024, and then the BRICS summit last July. The Director-General of COP30, Anna Toni, said: “The conferences of the parties are not isolated events, but rather reflect geopolitical tensions.”

Lula, who has slowed the pace of deforestation in his country – but supports oil exploration off the Amazon – promised what he described as a “Cup of Truth” conference.

However, the divided European Union was unable to reach – on time – an agreement on its new climate commitments for the year 2035, while China was content with minimum goals. The United States is not expected to send a delegation.