COP30 President André Aranha Corrêa do Lago called for global unity on climate action amid geopolitical tensions and inadequate funding. He urged cooperation to uphold multilateral climate efforts and highlighted alarming climate data. Tensions persisted over financing approaches, with an emphasis on mobilizing $1.3 trillion annually by 2035. The climate summit in Belém presents both challenges and opportunities for global climate negotiations.
André Aranha Corrêa do Lago, the COP30 President from Brazil, emphasized the necessity of global unity in tackling climate change during his inaugural address at the UN headquarters in New York. He expressed hope that Brazil could play a pivotal role in safeguarding the established multilateral climate efforts and in advancing the Paris Agreement implementation against a backdrop of reduced cooperation among nations due to geopolitical tensions.
In the context of the United States’ shifting climate policies under President Trump, who has initiated the withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, Corrêa do Lago stated, “Brazil has the firm conviction that there is no future progress for humanity without deep, rapid and sustained cooperation among all countries,” underscoring the importance of collaborative efforts in the face of climate adversity.
Recent data from the Copernicus climate information service highlighted alarming climate trends, noting the exceptionally high temperatures recorded in February 2025. Despite the COP30 President’s call for unity, developing nations expressed grievances regarding inadequate climate aid, a sentiment echoed by Iraqi ambassador Abbas Kadhim Obaid, who remarked on unmet expectations from COP29.
The negotiations at the UN revealed divisions between developed and developing nations regarding climate financing. The EU suggested that private finance should play a more significant role, with its representative stating that public finance alone cannot suffice to meet the vast investment needs for climate initiatives. This sentiment reflects the ongoing struggle to create an enabling environment for substantial climate investments.
In November, nations will meet in Belém, Brazil, to finalize a roadmap to mobilize approximately $1.3 trillion annually by 2035 for climate action. Governments are also anticipated to announce new nationally determined contributions (NDCs) aimed at reducing emissions as scheduled for completion by that year.
A landmark decision emerged from COP28, prompting nations to transition from fossil fuels based on insights from the Global Stocktake. However, concrete steps to uphold this commitment have been lacking, with Corrêa do Lago underscoring the necessity of adhering to the Global Stocktake as critical to future collaboration. Despite Brazil’s climate leadership being called into question due to new oil drilling initiatives, the necessity for progress on fossil fuel transitions remains urgent.
At the UN meeting, calls for augmented ambition ahead of COP30 amplified, with the EU underscoring the pressing need for real progress on fossil fuel transitions. Notably, Brazil, along with the US and Japan, have submitted their NDCs, while other significant emitters like China and India have not yet disclosed theirs.
The upcoming COP30 will unfold in Belém, Brazil. However, concerns have arisen regarding the city’s readiness to accommodate the large influx of delegates. The COP30 President acknowledged these challenges yet emphasized the symbolic significance of hosting the conference in the Amazon, stating that preparations are underway to enhance the necessary infrastructure for participants.
The COP30 President André Aranha Corrêa do Lago’s address at the UN highlights the critical need for global cooperation in climate action amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions and inadequate climate funding for developing nations. With a roadmap aimed at mobilizing substantial financial resources and an emphasis on transitioning away from fossil fuels, the upcoming climate summit will be pivotal. Greater ambition is crucial for substantive outcomes as nations converge to address these pressing environmental challenges.
Original Source: www.climatechangenews.com
