The COP30, convening nearly every nation in the world in Belém, Brazil, from November 10 to 21, will address and strategize on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, adapting to climate change, and financing these efforts.
Despite 30 United Nations climate conferences, countries persistently fail in climate policies as greenhouse gas emissions hit new records annually, temperatures soar to unprecedented highs, extreme weather events increase, deforestation expands, and biodiversity loss continues.
Nevertheless, Bianca Mattos, policy coordinator at WWF Portugal, notes positive signs, citing the Brazilian presidency’s mobilization.
“Positive outcomes rely on political will and overcoming barriers that stalled progress in past COPs. We hope nations acknowledge the urgency of the climate crisis and commit to decisions aligned with this urgency,” she states.
Francisco Ferreira, president of the Zero association, acknowledges that he always hopes for progress but confesses skepticism about achieving the critically needed results.
He points out that the gap between promises and execution is a recurring issue in COPs, emphasizing the need for more action and effective implementation as a simple criterion.
Equally skeptical, Alexandra Azevedo, president of Quercus, highlights that governments have not made sufficiently consistent political commitments.
Américo Abreu Ferreira, president of Geota, notes symbolic optimism in choosing the Amazon and the rhetoric of climate justice, yet recent trends do not inspire significant confidence.
Recounting that global greenhouse gas emissions reached new highs in 2024, with several economic powers still investing in oil and gas, he cautions that even grand commitments might remain unfulfilled.
As a result, he warns, COP30 risks becoming another media event of good intentions rather than a decisive turning point in combating the climate crisis.
Américo Abreu Ferreira argues that any lack of results at COPs doesn’t reflect public disinterest, though he acknowledges potential “exhaustion.”
“People feel there’s much discussion but little change, while daily priorities—housing, health, income—take precedence,” he comments.
Similarly, Francisco Ferreira acknowledges “fatigue and noise” around environmental issues, though they remain crucial due to the impact of extreme climate events.
While Alexandra Azevedo indicates that environmental topics remain prominent, the gap between rhetoric and action discourages public engagement, Bianca Mattos cites data showing most Europeans are concerned about climate change.
“The impacts of the climate crisis are increasingly visible, but political focus wavers due to the prioritization of other issues, like conflicts and economic sector crises,” she observes.
Environmental organizations, except for Geota, are attending COP30 in person.
The Belém climate conference followed a two-day summit of world leaders, concluding today.
