At the COP30 United Nations climate summit in Belem, Brazil, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva called for urgent global action to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, emphasizing the need for a collective transition to renewable energy. Despite his presence and that of UN Secretary-General António Guterres, progress on key issues remains slow, with negotiators missing self-imposed deadlines. Lula, flanked by Brazilian negotiators and his wife, stressed the existential threat of climate change, stating, ‘We haven’t found another place to live.’ He advocated for a flexible approach, allowing countries to transition at their own pace while receiving financial support. COP30 President André Corrêa do Lago had set a Wednesday deadline for decisions on four critical issues: toughening climate plans, distributing $300 billion in climate aid, addressing trade barriers, and improving transparency. However, negotiations have yet to yield concrete outcomes. Scientists criticized the proposed fossil fuel phaseout road map as inadequate, urging a more detailed and actionable plan. Lula also promoted the Tropical Forests Forever Facility, a multibillion-dollar fund aimed at incentivizing forest conservation. Despite the challenges, experts like Neil Grant of Climate Analytics remain hopeful, asserting that existing tools can still achieve the Paris Agreement’s goals. Over 110 climate action plans were celebrated at the summit, highlighting ongoing efforts to implement past agreements. COP30 Climate Champion Dan Ioschpe emphasized the importance of real-world implementation, particularly in industries like aviation, maritime, and agriculture. A new initiative aims to secure $1 trillion in investments to upgrade global electricity grids, renewable energy storage, and biofuel production.
Brazil’s Lula joins negotiators at UN climate talks, but no deal yet on major issues
