🔗 Share this article

Today, within Brazil's Amazon region, the Belém summit opens ahead of the 30th United Nations climate change conference (Conference of the Parties 30). I have convened global heads of state in the days leading up to the conference to ensure collective dedication to acting with the urgency that the environmental emergency requires.

If we fail to move beyond speeches into real action, public trust will diminish – not only in the Cops, but in multilateralism along with global diplomacy in general. This is the reason for convening leaders to the Amazon: to establish this as the "truthful Cop", the moment we demonstrate the seriousness of our shared commitment to the planet.

Humanity has shown its ability to conquer major obstacles when it acts together and is guided by science. We protected the ozone layer. Worldwide actions during the Covid-19 crisis showed that decisive global action is possible with bravery and governmental determination.

Brazil hosted the Earth Summit in 1992. Agreements on climate, biodiversity, and desertification were endorsed, and adopted principles that defined a fresh model for protecting our planet and our humanity. 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. It is no coincidence that Cop30 takes place deep within the Amazon jungle. It offers a chance for leaders, envoys, researchers, campaigners, and reporters to witness the reality of the Amazon. Our aim is for global observation of the true state of the forests, Earth's biggest river system, and the numerous inhabitants of the area. Cops cannot be mere showcases of good ideas or yearly meetings for delegates. They must be moments of contact with reality 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 stays as the fixed basis for all climate agreements. This is why developing nations call for greater access to resources – not as aid, but as fairness. Rich countries have benefited the most from fossil fuel economies. They must now rise to their responsibilities, not just through pledges but by honouring their debts.

Brazil is doing its part. In only two years, we have already halved deforestation in the Amazon, showing that concrete climate action is possible.

In Belém, we will launch an innovative initiative to preserve forests: the Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF). It is innovative because it operates as an investment fund, rather than a charity system. The TFFF will reward those who keep their forests standing and contributors to the fund. A genuine win-win approach to tackling climate change. Setting an example, Brazil has pledged $1 billion to the TFFF, and we anticipate similarly bold pledges from other nations.

We also demonstrated leadership through being the second nation to submit a fresh NDC. Brazil has committed to reducing its emissions from 59% to 67%, including all emission types and all sectors of the economy. With this mindset, we call on all countries to propose similarly bold NDCs and to implement them effectively.

The energy transition is fundamental for achieving Brazil's climate goals. Our energy matrix is among the cleanest in the world, as 88% of our power is renewable. We excel in biofuel production and are advancing in wind, solar and green hydrogen energy.

Channeling oil earnings to fund a fair, structured energy shift will be essential. In the long run, oil companies worldwide, such as Brazil's Petrobras, will transform into energy companies, since an economic model reliant on fossil fuels is unsustainable.

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 should target reducing disparities.

We cannot forget that two billion individuals have no 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 pledge to combat climate change must be directly linked to the fight against hunger.

It is equally essential that we advance the reform of global governance. Currently, international cooperation is hindered by the stagnation 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 connected to the General Assembly. This would form a fresh governance framework with the force and legitimacy to guarantee nations fulfill their pledges, and a practical move towards reversing the current paralysis in global cooperation.

At every climate conference, numerous commitments are made yet few concrete actions follow. The era of declarations of good intentions has ended: the moment for implementation plans is here. This is why we commence today the “Cop of truth”.