The preparatory meeting for COP30 opened Monday in Brasilia with a call to strengthen multilateralism and speed up the implementation of global climate change agreements.
Acting President Geraldo Alckmin said the Brazilian presidency aims to advance three priorities at COP30 in Belém: reinforcing the multilateral climate change regime, linking climate action to people’s lives and accelerating the Paris Agreement’s implementation.
“The submission of Nationally Determined Contributions aligned with the 1.5-degree target will show countries’ real commitment,” Alckmin said.
He reaffirmed Brazil’s leadership role, highlighting the country’s updated NDC 3.0, unveiled at COP29 in Baku. It commits to cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 59 to 67 percent by 2035 from 2005 levels or equivalent to removing up to 1.5 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide.
“This reflects Brazil’s vision for a low-carbon, resilient, and inclusive future,” he said.
UNFCCC Urges Action Ahead of COP30
UNFCCC Executive Secretary Simon Stiell said the UN climate body will release three reports this month on NDC ambition, transparency, and adaptation plans.
“I encourage all countries that have not yet updated their NDCs to do so before COP30,” Stiell said. “Delegates must have a comprehensive view of progress as they prepare for crucial decisions in Belém.”
Alckmin also highlighted Brazil’s rapid clean energy transition. The country now generates over 80 percent of its electricity from renewable sources, compared with 50 percent in 69 other countries.
“This plan balances growth with decarbonization and forest protection,” Alckmin said. “It proves that the energy transition is feasible, profitable, and essential for sustainable development.”
Stiell noted that the global economy is increasingly aligned with the Paris Agreement, though progress remains uneven. He said global clean energy investment surpassed US$2 trillion last year, and 90 percent of new power capacity came from renewables.
“However, we must ensure that the benefits of the energy transition are shared fairly across nations,” he said.
Key Outcomes Expected from COP30
Stiell urged countries to respond decisively to the latest scientific data and to “demonstrate that climate multilateralism continues to deliver.”
He said COP30 must achieve faster, broader implementation of climate goals that directly improve lives through cleaner air, better jobs and food security.
“Climate action must connect with people’s real lives everywhere,” he said.
Alckmin added that Brazil sees ethics, innovation, and sustainability as “a single path toward shared responsibility for humanity’s future.”
Azerbaijan Backs Brazil’s Leadership
COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev, Azerbaijan’s environment minister, pledged support for the incoming COP30 presidency led by Ambassador André Corrêa do Lago.
“The Baku–Belém Roadmap now under development will guide how to mobilize US$1.3 trillion in climate finance for developing nations,” Babayev said.
Following the opening, leaders of the four COP30 Presidency Circles presented updates on their work.
Finance Minister Fernando Haddad, head of the Finance Circle, said the group is developing three initiatives: the Forests Forever Fund, promoting investment-based conservation; the Open Coalition for Carbon Market Integration; and the Supertaxonomy, which will align national sustainability taxonomies.
Laurent Fabius, who presided over COP21 in Paris, said in a video message that the focus must remain on implementing existing goals, not creating new ones.
Indigenous and Ethical Dimensions
Minister of Indigenous Peoples Sônia Guajajara said COP30 will see the largest Indigenous delegation ever accredited to the Blue Zone.
“This will be the most inclusive COP in history,” she said. “We must recognize Indigenous territories as vital carbon sinks and sources of climate change solutions.”
Environment and Climate Change Minister Marina Silva, representing the Global Ethical Stocktake Circle, said ethics must guide global climate governance.
“Confronting the climate crisis also means confronting a moral crisis,” she said. “Ethics gives meaning to action.”
She said six Ethical Global Balance dialogues were held this year across all world regions and called for COP30 to be a “turning point for both the planet and climate multilateralism.”
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