An Era of Fine Addresses and Good Intentions is Finished: The UN Climate Conference Will Be About Concrete Steps

Today, within Brazil's Amazon region, the Belém summit opens ahead of the UN's 30th climate summit (Cop30). I have convened world leaders in the days leading up to the conference to ensure collective dedication to acting with the urgency the climate crisis demands.

If we fail to move beyond speeches into real action, public trust will diminish – not just in climate conferences, but in multilateralism along with global diplomacy in general. This is the reason for convening officials to the rainforest: to make this the “Cop of truth”, the moment we demonstrate our collective dedication's gravity to the planet.

Humanity has shown its ability to overcome great challenges when it acts together and is guided by science. We protected the ozone layer. Worldwide actions during the Covid-19 crisis proved that the world can act decisively with bravery and governmental determination.

Brazil hosted the Earth Summit in 1992. We approved the conventions on climate, biodiversity and desertification, and principles were embraced that established a new paradigm for preserving our planet and our humanity. During the last three decades, these gatherings have produced important agreements and goals for cutting 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. Our aim is for global observation of the forests' real status, Earth's biggest river system, and the numerous inhabitants of the area. 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 jointly address this emergency, we need resources. It's crucial to acknowledge that the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities remains the non-negotiable foundation of any climate pact. This is why developing nations call for greater access to resources – not as aid, but as fairness. Wealthy nations have gained the most from the carbon-based economy. They must now rise to their responsibilities, not only by making commitments but by repaying what they owe.

Brazil is fulfilling its role. In only two years, Amazon deforestation has been cut by half by us, 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 a financial investment tool, not a donation mechanism. The fund will compensate forest preservers and contributors to the fund. A true mutually beneficial strategy to tackling climate change. Setting an example, Brazil has pledged $1 billion to the TFFF, and we expect equally ambitious announcements from other nations.

We also set an example by becoming the second country to present a new nationally determined contribution (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 execute them thoroughly.

The energy transition is fundamental 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.

Channeling oil earnings to fund a fair, structured energy shift will be essential. Over time, oil companies worldwide, including Brazil’s Petrobras, will evolve into energy providers, since an economic model reliant on fossil fuels cannot last.

Individuals should be the focus of political decisions about climate and the shift to clean energy. It's important to acknowledge that society's most at-risk groups suffer the most from environmental effects, this is why equitable transition and adjustment strategies should target reducing disparities.

It's crucial to remember 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 are introducing in Belém a statement on hunger, poverty, and climate. Our commitment to fight global warming should be closely tied to the effort to end hunger.

It is equally essential that we push for changes in international governance. Today, international cooperation is hindered by the stagnation of the UN security council. Created to preserve peace, it has failed to prevent wars. It is our duty, therefore to advocate for reforming this body. At Cop30, we will advocate for the creation of a UN climate change council connected to the General Assembly. It would be a new governance structure with the force and legitimacy to ensure that countries deliver on their promises, and an effective step toward reversing the current paralysis in global cooperation.

During each environmental summit, 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 "truthful Cop".

Mark Stephens
Mark Stephens

A passionate artist and curator with a background in fine arts, dedicated to sharing innovative creative insights and fostering artistic communities.