The Age of Fine Speeches and Noble Intentions is Over: Brazil's Cop30 Will Be About Concrete Steps

Today, within Brazil's Amazon region, the Belém summit opens ahead of the 30th United Nations climate change conference (Cop30). Leaders have been gathered by me global heads of state in the days leading up to the conference so that we can all commit to acting with the urgency the climate crisis demands.

Should we not progress past rhetoric to tangible steps, public trust will diminish – not just in climate conferences, and in international cooperation along with global diplomacy in general. This is the reason for convening leaders to the Amazon: to establish this as the "truthful Cop", the moment we demonstrate our collective dedication's gravity toward Earth.

People have demonstrated their capacity to conquer major obstacles through united efforts and scientific guidance. The ozone layer was safeguarded by us. The global response to the Covid-19 pandemic proved that the world can act decisively with bravery and governmental determination.

The Earth Summit was held in Brazil back 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. Over the past 33 years, these meetings have yielded key accords and goals for cutting emissions – from ending deforestation by 2030 to increasing renewable energy threefold.

More than three decades later, the world returns to Brazil to confront climate change. There's a reason why Cop30 is being held deep within the Amazon jungle. This is an opportunity for politicians, diplomats, scientists, activists and journalists to observe the Amazon's actual conditions. We want the world to see the forests' real status, Earth's biggest river system, and the millions of people who live in the region. Cops cannot be mere showcases of good ideas 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, financial support is essential. It's crucial to acknowledge that the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities remains the non-negotiable foundation for all climate agreements. That is why the global south demands greater access to resources – not out of charity, but justice. Rich countries have benefited the most from the carbon-based economy. They must now rise to their responsibilities, not only by making commitments but by honouring their debts.

Brazil is doing its part. Within just two years, we have already halved deforestation in the Amazon, showing that concrete climate action is possible.

In Belém, we will launch an innovative initiative to preserve forests: the TFFF fund. It is innovative because it operates as an investment fund, rather than a charity system. The fund will compensate forest preservers and contributors to the fund. A true mutually beneficial strategy for addressing environmental issues. Setting an example, Brazil has announced an investment of $1bn in the TFFF, and we expect equally ambitious announcements from other countries.

We also demonstrated leadership through being the second nation 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. In this spirit, we call on all countries to present equally ambitious NDCs and to execute them thoroughly.

Shifting energy sources is crucial to meeting Brazil’s NDC. Our energy matrix is among the cleanest in the world, as 88% of our power is renewable. We are a leader in biofuels and are advancing in wind, solar and green hydrogen energy.

Channeling oil earnings to fund a fair, structured energy shift is vital. 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 in climate policy choices and the shift to clean energy. We must recognise that society's most at-risk groups suffer the most from environmental effects, which is why just transition and adaptation plans must aim to combat inequality.

It's crucial to remember that 2 billion people lack access to clean technologies and fuels for cooking, and over 673 million face 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 advance the reform of global governance. Currently, multilateralism suffers from the paralysis within the UN Security Council. Created to preserve peace, it has not stopped conflicts. 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 linked to the general assembly. It would be a new governance structure with the force and legitimacy to guarantee nations fulfill their pledges, and an effective step toward overcoming the present deadlock of the multilateral system.

During each environmental summit, we hear many promises yet few concrete actions follow. The time for intention statements is over: the moment for implementation plans is here. This is why we commence today the “Cop of truth”.