The era
of fine speeches and good intentions is over. Brazil’s Cop30 will be about
action
Luiz
Inácio Lula da Silva
This is
our message to world leaders: make this the ‘Cop of truth’, before people lose
faith
Luiz
Inácio Lula da Silva is the president of Brazil
Thu 6 Nov
2025 05.00 GMT
Today, in
the Brazilian Amazon, the Belém summit opens ahead of the 30th United Nations
climate change conference (Cop30). I have convened world leaders in the days
leading up to the conference so that we can all commit to acting with the
urgency the climate crisis demands.
If we
fail to move beyond speeches into real action, our societies will lose faith –
not only in the Cops, but in multilateralism and international politics more
broadly. That is why I have summoned leaders to the Amazon: to make this the
“Cop of truth”, the moment we demonstrate the seriousness of our shared
commitment 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. The global response to the
Covid-19 pandemic proved that the world can act decisively when there is
courage and political will.
Brazil
hosted the Earth Summit in 1992. We approved the conventions on climate,
biodiversity and desertification, and adopted principles that defined a new
paradigm for preserving our planet and our humanity. Over the past 33 years,
these gatherings have produced important agreements and targets for reducing
greenhouse gas emissions – from ending deforestation by 2030 to tripling
renewable energy capacity.
More than
three decades later, the world returns to Brazil to confront climate change. It
is no coincidence that Cop30 takes place in the heart of the Amazon rainforest.
This is an opportunity for politicians, diplomats, scientists, activists and
journalists to witness the reality of the Amazon. We want the world to see the
true state of the forests, the planet’s largest river basin, and the millions
of people who live in the region. Cops cannot be mere showcases of good ideas
or annual gatherings for negotiators. They must be moments of contact with
reality and of effective action to tackle climate change.
To
confront this crisis together, we need resources. And we must recognise that
the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities remains the
non-negotiable foundation of any climate pact. 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. In only 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 Tropical
Forests Forever Facility (TFFF). It is innovative because it operates as an
investment fund, not a donation mechanism. The TFFF will reward those who keep
their forests standing and those who invest in the fund. A genuine win-win
approach to tackling climate change. Leading by example, Brazil has announced
an investment of $1bn in the TFFF, and we expect equally ambitious
announcements from other countries.
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%, covering all greenhouse gases and all sectors of the economy.
In this spirit, we call on all countries to present equally ambitious NDCs and
to implement them effectively.
The
energy transition is fundamental to meeting Brazil’s NDC. Our energy matrix is
among the cleanest in the world, with 88% of our electricity coming from
renewable sources. We are a leader in biofuels and are advancing in wind, solar
and green hydrogen energy.
Redirecting
revenues from oil production to finance a just, orderly and equitable energy
transition will be essential. Over time, oil companies worldwide, including
Brazil’s Petrobras, will transform into energy companies, because a growth
model based on fossil fuels cannot last.
People
must be at the centre of political decisions about climate and the energy
transition. We must recognise that the most vulnerable sectors of our society
are the most affected by the impacts of climate change, which is why just
transition and adaptation plans must aim to combat inequality.
We cannot
forget that 2 billion people lack access to clean technologies and fuels for
cooking, and 673 million people still live with hunger. In response, we will
launch in Belém a declaration on hunger, poverty and climate. Our commitment to
fight global warming must be directly linked to the fight against hunger.
It is
also fundamental that we advance the reform of global governance. Today,
multilateralism suffers from the paralysis of the UN security council. Created
to preserve peace, it has failed to prevent wars. It is our duty, therefore, to
fight for the reform of this institution. 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 ensure
that countries deliver on their promises, and an effective step toward
reversing the current paralysis of the multilateral system.
At every
climate conference, we hear many promises but see too few real commitments. The
era of declarations of good intentions has ended: the time for action plans has
arrived. That is why today we begin the “Cop of truth”.
Luiz
Inácio Lula da Silva is the president of Brazil
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