COP30 Kicks Off in Brazil, at Heart of the Amazon Rainforest

The UN Climate Change Conference COP30 kicked off today in Belém, Brazil, drawing global attention as world leaders, environmental experts, and civil society representatives converge to tackle the escalating climate crisis. 

The conference comes amid growing concern that international efforts are failing to limit global warming to 1.5°C.

Belém, located at the gateway to the Amazon rainforest, was chosen symbolically by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to showcase the reality of the forests, rivers, and indigenous communities under threat. 

The Amazon, often called the “lungs of the Earth,” faces pressures from deforestation, illegal mining, and industrial pollution, making it a powerful backdrop for the negotiations.

Approximately 50,000 participants are expected, including state leaders, climate negotiators, and experts. 

The absence of the United States as a leading participant, following its Paris Agreement withdrawal, highlights challenges in securing global consensus. 

Meanwhile, China and Brazil are spearheading alliances such as the BASIC group, alongside India and South Africa, to influence climate finance and policy discussions.

The two-week conference (Nov 10–21) will focus on three main areas: Climate adaptation finance, emission governance, and ensuring fair and accountable global climate policies.

COP30 revisits principles first outlined at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio, emphasizing “common but differentiated responsibilities,” and seeks to balance commitments between industrialized nations and emerging economies. 

Observers note the growing influence of the Global South, reflecting a push for climate justice that allows economic development alongside green transitions.

Despite uncertainties, the symbolic setting of the Amazon offers moral weight to the summit, potentially motivating stronger international commitments. 

As UN Secretary-General António Guterres warns, surpassing the 1.5°C threshold is increasingly likely, making COP30 a critical juncture in the fight to avert climate disaster.