Belém, Brazil. Flickr/ Egoiano
By Juan Pablo Hoffmaister, Associate Vice President, Global Engagement and Partnerships, Environmental Defense Fund
As the global climate community sets its sights on COP30 in Belém, Brazil, we stand at a decisive moment for international climate action. Election outcomes in the US, Europe, and elsewhere are reshaping the landscape of multilateralism, finance, and aid. The upcoming conference is more than just another annual climate gathering – it’s a pivotal opportunity to recalibrate and push the world toward meeting its 2030 climate targets.
As we prepare, it’s worth reflecting on key points from COP30 President-designate, Ambassador André Aranha Corrêa do Lago’s recent statement to the UN General Assembly and the Letter addressed to UNFCCC Parties. His vision underscores why this conference must be a turning point to bend the curve on emissions and increase climate resilience.
Multilateralism at the core
Brazil’s incoming COP30 President has made it clear that “the defense of multilateralism will be at the very core of the Brazilian presidency of the COP.” This commitment comes at a crucial time when international cooperation is under strain.
The power dynamics of climate leadership are also shifting as countries like the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Singapore, and Brazil emerge as critical players in the climate space. For example, Singapore’s robust climate finance expertise and role as a Southeast Asian technology hub positions it as a valuable contributor to COP30’s implementation focus, particularly in developing innovative financing mechanisms and building regional capacity for the “Baku to Belém Roadmap to 1.3 Trillion“ goals.
Brazil’s moment on the global stage
Beyond defending multilateralism, Brazil’s COP30 Presidency has outlined clear priorities: strengthening climate finance for developing countries, protecting vital ecosystems (especially forests), developing economic models that respect Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLCs), and boosting ambition in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
This agenda aligns with the urgent challenges we face worldwide. As planetary boundaries are crossed, we need solutions that balance mitigation and adaptation to safeguard communities and livelihoods. The Brazilian leadership brings deep expertise in forest conservation, Indigenous rights, and climate finance – all critical to shape outcomes at COP30.
From negotiation to implementation
COP30 must mark a shift from endless negotiations to real-world implementation. As Ambassador Corrêa do Lago emphasized, “We need a new era beyond negotiating talks as we continue to reinforce the regime. We must help put into practice what we have agreed.”
The Paris Agreement framework is in place. Now, the focus must be on translating policy decisions and commitments into tangible action. Without implementation, the credibility of the climate regime is at risk.
Finance: The persistent challenge
Climate finance is still a major sticking point. In particular, the high cost of capital in developing countries – where financing terms reflect higher risks, both real and perceived – makes climate action disproportionately expensive. Our current financial systems aren’t built to close this gap.
COP30 will build on the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on climate finance adopted at COP29 to push the “Baku to Belém” roadmap forward. It’s an opportunity to strengthen the quality, accessibility, and impact of climate finance –particularly for adaptation and loss and damage.
A balanced approach: Mitigation, adaptation and resilience
The climate crisis demands a more holistic response. As Brazil’s presidency emphasized, solutions are “no longer just mitigation focused but should also include aspects of adaptation and resilience.”
From forests and agriculture to oceans and energy, integrated approaches are needed across sectors. In forests, for example, the focus will be on halting deforestation, accelerating restoration, and empowering Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities.
Centering Indigenous leadership and knowledge
Brazil’s COP30 Presidency has highlighted the central role of Indigenous Peoples in climate action. The country recognizes “the role and contributions of Indigenous Peoples and of local communities in nature stewardship and climate leadership,” while acknowledging the outsized climate impacts these communities face.
As we develop more holistic approaches to climate mitigation and adaptation, Indigenous knowledge systems offer vital insights for sustainable resource management and ecosystem preservation. COP30 must ensure these voices are not just heard, but are centered in decision-making and climate solutions.
The Amazon: From problem to solution
The decision to host COP30 in the Amazon region is deeply symbolic. As Ambassador Corrêa do Lago notes, this choice “enshrines a vision combining realism and hope,” demonstrating how areas once seen as climate problems can become powerful sources of solutions.
After years of deforestation contributed significantly to Brazil’s emissions, the Amazon is now positioned to become “a major source of climate solutions, from innovation and bioeconomy to traditional knowledges.” This transformation embodies the regenerative approach needed globally.
COP30: A chance to bend the curve
In a rapidly changing world, COP30 is our chance to bend the curve toward 2030 and beyond – ensuring that global climate action is both ambitious and inclusive, effective and just. Over the next few months, it’s time for the global community to lock in on three key priorities:
- Demand quality in NDCs, not just ambitious numbers: As countries submit their NDCs ahead of COP30, advocate for comprehensive plans that address all greenhouse gases (especially methane), include adaptation measures, and have clear implementation mechanisms. Request transparency on how these commitments will be funded and measured, beyond just headline reduction percentages.
- Connect climate finance to implementation: Support efforts to reform global financial systems to address the cost of capital disparities between developed and developing nations. Engage with initiatives like the ‘Baku to Belém Roadmap to $1.3T’ and call for finance that enables countries to implement their climate commitments, not just make them.
- Amplify Indigenous and local voices in NDC development: Seek opportunities to elevate Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities in the NDC development process, recognizing their crucial role in forest conservation and sustainable land management. Support platforms that integrate traditional knowledge with climate science to create more effective, locally situated climate solutions that balance mitigation with adaptation needs.
The world needs more than just commitments – it needs cooperation, ambition, and follow-through. Let’s make COP30 our moment for resolve.