On November 6, the World Climate Leaders Summit opens in Belém, Brazil. Ahead of the 30th UN Climate Change Conference (COP30), which also marks the 20th anniversary of the Kyoto Protocol and the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, in his article for Kommersant, discussed why the Brazilian Amazon was chosen as the venue for the event, the initiatives his country is bringing to the summit, and the steps Brazil expects other countries to take to combat climate change.

Today, the Belém summit, a prelude to the 30th UN Climate Change Conference (COP30), begins in the Brazilian Amazon. I have convened world leaders in the days leading up to COP30 to reaffirm our commitment to act with the urgency the climate crisis demands.

If we fail to translate words into action, our society will lose faith not only in climate conferences but in multilateralism and international politics in general. That’s why I convened leaders in the Amazon: to make this conference a moment of truth, demonstrating the seriousness of our shared commitment to the planet.

Humanity has already demonstrated its ability to overcome serious challenges by acting together and guided by science. We have protected the ozone layer. The global response to the COVID-19 pandemic has proven that the world can act decisively with determination and political will.

More than three decades later, world leaders are returning to Brazil to confront climate change. It’s no coincidence that COP30 is taking place in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. This is an opportunity for politicians, diplomats, scientists, activists, and journalists to witness firsthand what’s happening in the Amazon.

We want the world to see the true state of forests, the planet’s largest river basin, and the millions of people living in this region. Climate conferences cannot simply be forums for showcasing good ideas and venues for annual meetings and negotiations. They must provide an opportunity to connect with reality and take effective measures to combat climate change.

To confront this crisis together, we need resources. And we must recognize that the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities must remain the indispensable foundation of any climate agreement.

That’s why the Global South is demanding greater access to resources—not for reasons of charity, but for reasons of justice. Rich countries have benefited most from the carbon-based economy. Now they must fulfill their obligations—not just accept responsibility, but also fulfill their duty.

Brazil is doing its part. In just two years, we’ve halved deforestation in the Amazon, demonstrating that real action on climate change is possible.

In Belém, we will launch an innovative forest conservation initiative: the Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF). This is an innovative fund because it operates as an investment fund rather than a donation mechanism. The TFFF will reward those who conserve forests and those who invest in the fund. This is a win-win approach to combating climate change. In an effort to lead by example, Brazil has already announced a $1 billion investment in the TFFF. We expect similarly ambitious announcements from other countries.

We also became the second country to submit a new National Action Plan (NDC) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Brazil has committed to reducing its emissions by 59–67% across all economic sectors. Based on this, we urge all countries to submit equally ambitious NDCs and implement them effectively.

The energy transition is fundamental to meeting Brazil’s NDC requirements. Our energy system is one of the cleanest in the world, with 88% of our electricity coming from renewable sources. We are a leader in biofuel production and are developing wind, solar, and hydrogen energy.

It is crucial to redirect oil revenues to finance a just, orderly, and equitable energy transition. Over time, oil companies around the world, including Brazil’s Petrobras, will transform into energy companies, as the fossil fuel-based growth model cannot last forever.

People must be at the center of policy decisions regarding climate change and the energy transition. We must recognize that the most vulnerable segments of our society suffer the most from the impacts of climate change, and therefore transition and adaptation plans must address inequality.

We must not forget that 2 billion people lack access to clean technologies and cooking fuel, and 673 million still live in chronic hunger. In response, we will present a Declaration on Hunger, Poverty, and Climate in Belém. Our commitment to combating global warming must be directly linked to the fight against hunger.

Furthermore, it is necessary to advance global governance reform. Today, multilateralism is hampered by the paralysis of the UN Security Council. Created to preserve peace, it has failed to prevent wars. Therefore, it is our duty to fight for the reform of this institution.

At every climate conference, we hear many promises, but see too little real action. The era of declarations of good intentions is over: the time for action has come. That’s why today we are launching the “COP of Truth.”

Google machine translated

https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/8180646