The Age of Fine Addresses and Noble Intentions is Over: The Cop30 Will Be About Concrete Steps
Today, within Brazil's Amazon region, the Belém summit opens ahead of the UN's 30th climate summit (Conference of the Parties 30). I have convened global heads of state during the period before the conference so that we can all commit to taking swift measures with the necessary speed that the environmental emergency requires.
If we fail to move beyond speeches into real action, our societies will lose faith – not just in climate conferences, but in multilateralism and international politics more broadly. That is why I have summoned officials to the rainforest: to establish this as the "truthful Cop", the moment we demonstrate our collective dedication's gravity toward Earth.
Humanity has shown its ability to conquer major obstacles through united efforts and scientific guidance. 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. Agreements on climate, biodiversity, and desertification were endorsed, and adopted principles that defined a new paradigm for preserving Earth and humankind. Over the past 33 years, these meetings have yielded key accords and targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions – including halting deforestation by 2030 to increasing renewable energy threefold.
After over thirty years, global attention returns to Brazil to address the climate issue. There's a reason why Cop30 is being held in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. This is an opportunity for politicians, diplomats, scientists, activists and journalists to observe the Amazon's actual conditions. We want the world to see the true state of the forests, the planet’s largest river basin, and the numerous inhabitants of the area. Climate conferences must not just display concepts or annual gatherings for negotiators. They should serve as encounters with actuality and opportunities for real steps against environmental shifts.
To confront this crisis together, we need resources. And we must recognise that the concept of shared yet varied duties remains the non-negotiable foundation of any climate pact. This is why developing nations call for greater access to resources – not out of charity, but justice. Wealthy nations have gained the most from the carbon-based economy. They must now rise to their responsibilities, not just through pledges but by honouring their debts.
Brazil is doing its part. Within just two years, Amazon deforestation has been cut by half by us, showing that concrete climate action is possible.
In Belém, we will launch a novel program for forest conservation: the TFFF fund. It is innovative because it operates as an investment fund, not a donation mechanism. The TFFF will reward those who keep their forests standing and contributors to the fund. A true mutually beneficial strategy for addressing environmental issues. Leading by example, Brazil has announced an investment of $1bn in the TFFF, and we expect equally ambitious announcements from other countries.
We also set an example by becoming the second country to submit a fresh NDC. Brazil has committed to reducing its emissions from 59% to 67%, covering all greenhouse gases and every economic area. With this mindset, we call on all countries to present equally ambitious NDCs and to execute them thoroughly.
Shifting energy sources is crucial to meeting Brazil’s NDC. Our energy mix is one of the globe's greenest, as 88% of our power is renewable. We are a leader in biofuels and are progressing in wind, solar, and green hydrogen.
Redirecting revenues from oil production to finance a just, orderly and equitable energy transition will be essential. In the long run, global petroleum firms, including Brazil’s Petrobras, will transform into energy companies, since an economic model reliant on fossil fuels is unsustainable.
Individuals should be the focus of political decisions about climate and the energy transition. We must recognise 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.
We cannot forget that 2 billion people lack access to clean cooking methods and fuels, and 673 million people still live with hunger. To address this, we will launch in Belém a declaration 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. Currently, international cooperation is hindered by the stagnation of the UN security council. Created to preserve peace, it has failed to prevent wars. Hence, it is our responsibility to advocate for reforming this body. During Cop30, we will push for establishing a UN climate council linked to the general assembly. This would form a fresh governance framework with the force and legitimacy to ensure that countries deliver on their promises, and an effective step toward overcoming the present deadlock of the multilateral system.
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".