🔗 Share this article

Today, in the Brazilian Amazon, the Belém conference commences prior to the UN's 30th climate summit (Conference of the Parties 30). Leaders have been gathered by me world leaders during the period before the conference to ensure collective dedication to taking swift measures with the necessary speed that the environmental emergency requires.

Should we not progress past speeches into real action, our societies will lose faith – 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 make this the “Cop of truth”, the moment we demonstrate our collective dedication's gravity toward Earth.

People have demonstrated their capacity to conquer major obstacles through united efforts and scientific guidance. The ozone layer was safeguarded by us. The global response to the Covid-19 pandemic proved that the world can act decisively with bravery and governmental determination.

The Earth Summit was held in Brazil back 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. During the last three decades, 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, the world returns to Brazil to address the climate issue. 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. We want the world to see the true state of the forests, Earth's biggest river system, and the millions of people who live in the region. Climate conferences must not just display concepts or yearly meetings for delegates. They must be moments of contact with reality and of effective action to tackle climate change.

To confront this crisis together, financial support is essential. And we must recognise that the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities stays as the fixed basis of any climate pact. This is why developing nations call for greater access to resources – not as aid, but justice. Wealthy nations have gained the most from the carbon-based economy. They should now fulfill their obligations, not only by making commitments but by repaying what they owe.

Brazil is fulfilling its role. Within just two years, we have already halved deforestation in the Amazon, demonstrating that real environmental measures can work.

In Belém, we will launch an innovative initiative to preserve forests: the Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF). Its novelty lies in functioning as an investment fund, rather than a charity system. The fund will compensate forest preservers and those who invest in the fund. A genuine win-win approach to tackling climate change. Setting an example, Brazil has pledged $1 billion to the TFFF, and we expect equally ambitious announcements from other countries.

We also demonstrated leadership through becoming the second country to submit a fresh NDC. Brazil has committed to reducing its emissions by 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.

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 fund a fair, structured energy shift will be essential. Over time, global petroleum firms, such as Brazil's Petrobras, will transform into energy companies, because a growth model based on fossil fuels is unsustainable.

People must be at the centre in climate policy choices and the energy transition. We must recognise that the most vulnerable sectors of our society are the most affected by the impacts of climate change, which is why just transition and adaptation plans 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 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 fight for the reform of this institution. During Cop30, we will push for establishing a UN climate council connected to the General Assembly. It would be a new governance structure with the force and legitimacy to guarantee nations fulfill their pledges, and a practical move towards overcoming the present deadlock in global cooperation.

At every climate conference, we hear many promises but see too few real commitments. The time for intention statements is over: the time for action plans has arrived. That is why today we begin the “Cop of truth”.