The proposal of more ambitious climate targets to control the advances that the emission of greenhouse gases causes on the planet, the updating of Paris Agreement proposed in 2015, sustainable financing to support bioeconomy, and the launching of plans that prioritize the standing forest are part of the scope of expectations of what can be debated during the 30th United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP 30). The meeting will be held in Belém, the capital of Pará, in 2025. It is expected to bring together representatives of more than 190 countries in search of a consensus on climate and environmental issues, in addition to being decisive in the proposal of international treaties.

The discussions on COP 30  agenda at have been consolidated over the years, in previous editions of the event. For example, the outcome of COP 28, held in 2023 in Dubai, was a general assessment, known as the United Arab Emirates Consensus, which included a model for dealing with climate issues, involving critical signs on energy, transport and nature, along with directions for the next round of evaluation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) scheduled for 2025 in the capital of Pará. Thus, Brazil and the context surrounding the Amazon have been gaining stronger and stronger prominence.

Mission 1.5

The country was responsible for a proposal called Roadmap for Mission 1.5, which reinforces the stimulus of more ambitious goals and expands international cooperation for a greener planet. This initiative has its leadership shared with the United Arab Emirates (COP28) and Azerbaijan, which will host COP 29 in 2024. Mission 1.5 was implemented in Dubai and will have guidelines established until the event in Belém. It aims to achieve the temperature target of 1.5 ºC, in line with sustainable development and poverty eradication efforts. The search for resources to finance NDCs is also a goal of the project.

COP in the Amazon might strengthen the importance of bioeconomy

The holding of COP 30 in Belém is considered emblematic by the Ministry of the Environment (MMA). The Secretary of Climate Change, Ana Toni, gave an exclusive interview for the Liberal Amazon. She said a special look at bioeconomy and forests will be triggered in the event. "Some economic instruments are being discussed, such as the Tropical Forests Forever. It is underway. We hope to be able to launch at COP 30”, she emphasizes.

"Major bioeconomy proposals will also be launched, hopefully at COP 30. I think holding the COP in the Amazon, stronger than anywhere else, will bring some elements about nature-based solutions, bioeconomy, compensation for standing forests, carbon credits, and restoration. One topic I regard as very important at COP 30 is the relationship among the conventions on biodiversity, desertification, and climate change. These conventions arose in Brazil in 1992 and at COP 30, we hope the three conventions may be brought together again to show how aligned they are,” she adds.

Brazilian NDCs

The Secretary considers these topics to be the Brazilian NDCs. With the establishment of the NDCs, the course hereafter follows in search of building a new economy pattern for Brazil, based on practices that respect the limits imposed by nature. "The forest has always been a powerful theme, as we all know, because of the emission [of greenhouse gases from deforestation]. The NDCs are not only what we have to combat, they are much more than what we want to build, this new Brazilian economy. The Amazon is fundamental to promote this new vision of development to the country”, highlights Ana Toni.

Agility

The Paris Agreement turns 10 years old in 2025, the year COP 30 takes place in Belém. The treaty is considered one of the most important guides to climate change mitigation. In 2023, at COP 29, a review of the targets was accomplished, but it is expected that another assessment for updating will be carried out, aiming at accelerating the actions being developed. “We are moving forward, not only Brazil but the world. However, the speed we are moving forward is far short of what we need. I think we are heading in the right direction, so we have to accelerate the pace of the desired changes. I guess this will be very clear at COP 30”, reinforces the Secretary.

Environmental movements expect big grants at COP 30

The results of Mission 1.5, an initiative launched by Brazil, are one of the anticipated grants more expected by environmental movements. Alexandre Prado, leader in Climate Change at WWF-Brazil, explains that countries should present some sort of movement later this year, with more firm guidelines in 2025. "They should present this look over needs for 1.5 ºC, and this is inscribed in the Paris Agreement. What Brazil did, was to reinforce this need, asking countries to consider how they will collaborate towards this global effort on how not to exceed 1.5 ºC. This is a great grant for next year, when it turns 10 years since the Paris COP”, he points out.

Adaptation

“Another grant for next year, which is very important, is the adaptation goals. As we already feel, daily, the effects of global warming and climate change, the speed is being greater than foreseen. Adaptation actions receive great importance: what will countries do to prepare their populations to deal with these effects of climate change, contributing to a greater resilience for them?", wonders Alexandre Prado.

The concern of the leader of WWF-Brazil is related to a meaningful point: in general, the populations that contribute the least to climate change are those suffering the most from their effects. In the case of Belém, he points out that those who live by the rivers will be greatly harmed if adaptation actions are not implemented. 

"We, from the socio-environmental movements, have a principle: it should not be done, but if it is done, who will it benefit? for what, and how? This is super important. The impacts of climate change are felt globally. How will you be prepared for what will happen?", complements Alexandre Prado.

Pará might present concrete results at the COP

The work being developed by the Government of Pará regarding the context of the Amazon rainforest should be the vector of results to be presented during COP 30. In a note to the Liberal Amazon, the State government affirms to be proud of the concrete measures adopted since 2019, “elaborating the state environmental policy, based on laws”. "These are public policies that have guaranteed a constant reduction in deforestation, with inspection actions and economic measures aimed at generating income while preserving the forest. The Bioeconomy Plan, the Native Vegetation Recovery Plan, and the Payment for Environmental Services Program are examples of policies”.

"COP 30 is the most important event to discuss climate change affecting the planet. The increasingly frequent occurrence of extreme events throughout the planet, taking as a recent example the one that occurred in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, highlights the importance of the debate on the matter. Belém COP marks a moment when world leaders will have to review targets and agreements to mitigate climate change,” says the note from the Government of Pará.

Resources

During the COP, Pará might look for resources to finance bioeconomy that is being developed in the territory. "According to data from the National Institute for Space Research, Pará had a 21% reduction in deforestation for the second consecutive year. Pará understands that the living forest is a valuable asset and that is why we believe that during the COP we will have the opportunity to present to the world what we are doing and to exchange experiences, discuss support, and seek resources to ensure the development of these and future initiatives”, concludes the note.