An Age of Eloquent Speeches and Good Intentions is Finished: Brazil's Cop30 Focuses On Action
Today, within Brazil's Amazon region, the Belém conference commences prior to the UN's 30th climate summit (Cop30). I have convened world leaders during the period before the conference to ensure collective dedication to taking swift measures with the necessary speed the climate crisis demands.
Should we not progress past rhetoric to tangible steps, public trust will diminish – not only in the Cops, and in international cooperation and international politics more broadly. That is why I have summoned officials to the rainforest: to establish this as the "truthful Cop", the occasion where we prove our collective dedication's gravity toward Earth.
Humanity has shown its ability to overcome great challenges when it acts together and is guided by science. We protected the ozone layer. The global response to the Covid-19 pandemic showed that decisive global action is possible when there is courage and political will.
Brazil hosted the Earth Summit in 1992. We approved the conventions on climate, biodiversity and desertification, and adopted principles that defined a new paradigm for preserving our planet and our humanity. Over the past 33 years, these meetings have yielded key accords and goals for cutting emissions – including halting deforestation by 2030 to tripling renewable energy capacity.
More than three decades later, the world returns to Brazil to confront climate change. It is no coincidence that Cop30 takes place deep within the Amazon jungle. This is an opportunity for politicians, diplomats, scientists, activists and journalists to observe the Amazon's actual conditions. Our aim is for global observation of the forests' real status, Earth's biggest river system, and the numerous inhabitants of the area. Cops cannot be mere showcases of good ideas or annual gatherings for negotiators. They should serve as encounters with actuality and opportunities for real steps against environmental shifts.
To jointly address this emergency, financial support is essential. And we must recognise that the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities remains the non-negotiable foundation for all climate agreements. That is why the global south demands greater access to resources – not out of charity, but justice. Wealthy nations have gained the most from fossil fuel economies. They should now fulfill their obligations, not only by making commitments but by honouring their debts.
Brazil is doing its part. Within just two years, Amazon deforestation has been cut by half by us, demonstrating that real environmental measures can work.
In Belém, we will launch an innovative initiative to preserve forests: the TFFF fund. It is innovative because it operates as an investment fund, not a donation mechanism. The fund will compensate forest preservers and contributors to the fund. A true mutually beneficial strategy to tackling climate change. Setting an example, Brazil has announced an investment of $1bn in the TFFF, and we expect equally ambitious announcements from other nations.
We also demonstrated leadership through becoming the second country to present a new nationally determined contribution (NDC). Brazil has vowed to cut its emissions by 59% to 67%, covering all greenhouse gases and every economic area. In this spirit, we urge all nations to propose similarly bold NDCs and to execute them thoroughly.
Shifting energy sources is crucial to meeting Brazil’s NDC. Our energy matrix is among the cleanest in the world, as 88% of our power is renewable. We excel in biofuel production and are progressing in wind, solar, and green hydrogen.
Channeling oil earnings to fund a fair, structured energy shift will be essential. Over time, global petroleum firms, such as Brazil's Petrobras, will transform into energy companies, since an economic model reliant on fossil fuels cannot last.
People must be at the centre in climate policy choices and the shift to clean energy. It's important to acknowledge that society's most at-risk groups are the most affected by the impacts of climate change, this is why equitable transition and adjustment strategies must aim to combat inequality.
It's crucial to remember that 2 billion people lack access to clean technologies and fuels for cooking, and over 673 million face hunger. To address this, we are introducing in Belém a statement on hunger, poverty, and climate. Our commitment to fight global warming must be directly linked to the effort to end hunger.
It is also fundamental that we advance the reform of global governance. Today, multilateralism suffers from the paralysis of the UN security council. Established to maintain peace, it has failed to prevent wars. It is our duty, therefore to fight for the reform of this institution. At Cop30, we will advocate for the creation of a UN climate change council linked to the general assembly. This would form a fresh governance framework with the power and credibility to guarantee nations fulfill their pledges, and an effective step toward overcoming the present deadlock in global cooperation.
During each environmental summit, we hear many promises but see too few real commitments. The era of declarations of good intentions has ended: the moment for implementation plans is here. That is why today we begin the "truthful Cop".