The thirtieth UN climate summit (COP30) began this Monday in Belém, Brazil, with an energetic speech by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who urged the international community to “impose a new defeat on the deniers” who minimize or reject the scientific evidence on global warming.
A meeting marked by the absence of the United States
The COP30 is being held for the first time without the participation of the United States, the second-largest emitter of polluting gases on the planet, adding tension to the negotiations.
The central goal of the summit is to save global efforts against climate change, in a context of political setbacks and environmental urgencies.
Lula against disinformation and denialism
In his speech, Lula warned about the risks of the era of disinformation:
“The obscurantists reject not only the evidence of science but also the advances of multilateralism. They control algorithms, sow hatred, and spread fear. They attack institutions, science, and universities. It is time to impose a new defeat on the deniers.”
The Brazilian leader emphasized that combating climate change is “much cheaper” than waging war, referring to current conflicts like the one in Ukraine.
Defense of the Paris Agreement ten years after its signing
Lula made an emphatic defense of the Paris Agreement, which marks a decade since its signing in 2015. He recalled that the United States withdrew from the pact again after Donald Trump returned to the White House nine months ago, representing a blow to multilateral commitments.
The president of Brazil acknowledged that the world is moving in the “right direction” but warned that it is doing so at a “wrong speed”.
“At the current pace, we are still heading towards an increase of more than one and a half degrees Celsius in global temperature. Breaking that barrier is a risk we cannot take,” he warned.
Three fronts of action for the international community
In his speech, Lula outlined three priority action axes to tackle the climate crisis:
- Fulfill what was agreed and present more ambitious goals: reinforce already assumed commitments and ensure financing for the most vulnerable countries.
- Accelerate the energy transition: design a global plan to overcome dependence on fossil fuels.
- Place people at the center of the climate agenda: prioritize social justice and the protection of communities most affected by warming.
Belém, a symbol of the Amazon and climate action
The choice of Belém as the venue for COP30 has a strong symbolic component: it is an Amazonian city that reflects both the natural wealth and the threats faced by the region due to deforestation, illegal mining, and agricultural expansion.
Brazil seeks to position itself as a key player in global climate action, showing progress in reducing deforestation and defending the Amazon as a heritage of humanity.
What to expect from COP30
The opening of COP30 in Belém marks a decisive moment for international climate action. Lula’s call to defeat denialism, accelerate the energy transition, and place people at the center of the agenda reinforces the urgency to fulfill and expand global commitments.
The summit unfolds in a complex scenario, with the absence of the United States and the need to demonstrate that multilateralism remains the most effective tool to tackle the climate crisis.
