In a decisive move, Brazil has named veteran diplomat André Aranha Corrêa do Lago as the president of the upcoming COP30 climate summit, set to take place in Belém this November. The appointment of Corrêa do Lago, currently serving as Brazil’s secretary for climate, energy and environment, signals the country’s commitment to making COP30 a pivotal moment in the global fight against climate change.
The presidential role for the conference, which is expected to draw scores of world leaders to the Amazon city, was notably not given to Brazil’s environment minister Marina Silva. Instead, the government is leveraging Corrêa do Lago’s extensive experience as a seasoned climate negotiator to navigate the complex geopolitical landscape and build consensus among nations.
A Make-or-Break Moment for the Paris Agreement
COP30 is widely regarded as a make-or-break moment for the Paris Agreement, the landmark 2015 treaty that aims to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Under the agreement, countries are required to submit enhanced emissions reduction targets, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), on a five-year cycle.
However, the task ahead is daunting. Despite the Paris Agreement’s lofty goals, global greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, and the world is currently on track for a catastrophic 3°C of warming by the end of the century. Many countries are falling behind on their existing targets, while others have set targets that are woefully inadequate to meet the 1.5°C goal.
Last year was the first in which temperatures were consistently above 1.5°C. This does not mean the end of the Paris agreement, as that will be judged after years or decades, but shows that hopes of avoiding the worst ravages of climate breakdown are rapidly fading.
U.S. Withdrawal Looms Large
Further complicating matters is the looming specter of the United States’ withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, which was ordered by President Donald Trump soon after his inauguration on Monday. As the world’s largest economy and second-largest emitter, the absence of the U.S. at the negotiating table is a major blow to global efforts to combat climate change.
Despite this setback, Corrêa do Lago remains optimistic about the potential for progress at COP30. In a statement, he acknowledged the challenges ahead but emphasized the critical importance of international cooperation in the face of the climate crisis.
COP30 cannot be just another conference – it must be a turning point. Corrêa do Lago brings a rare blend of diplomatic expertise and vision to push the Paris Agreement from paper to reality. His leadership will be critical to turning global ambition into actionable, measurable outcomes.
Natalie Unterstell, president of the Instituto Talanoa
Putting Indigenous Voices at the Center
The choice of Belém as the host city for COP30 is seen as highly symbolic, given its location near the mouth of the Amazon River in the heart of the world’s largest rainforest. The Amazon plays a vital role in regulating the Earth’s climate, but is under increasing threat from deforestation, fires, and exploitation.
Indigenous leaders have called for their voices and traditional knowledge to be central in the climate discussions at COP30. Toya Manchineri of the Coordination of Indigenous Organizations of the Brazilian Amazon (COIAB) said that while the appointment of Corrêa do Lago was a positive step, it still did not guarantee the “centrality of Indigenous peoples in climate discussions.”
The Road Ahead
As the countdown to COP30 begins, all eyes will be on Brazil and Corrêa do Lago to see if they can rise to the challenge and steer the world towards a more sustainable future. The stakes could not be higher – the fate of the Paris Agreement, and indeed the planet itself, hangs in the balance.
Over the coming months, Corrêa do Lago and his team will be working tirelessly to build bridges, forge compromises, and create the conditions for a successful outcome in Belém. It will require a herculean effort, but as Corrêa do Lago noted in his statement, failure is not an option.
The science is clear, and the time for action is now. We have a moral imperative to act, not only for ourselves but for future generations. At COP30, we have an opportunity to chart a new course for humanity – one that is more just, more sustainable, and more prosperous for all. We cannot afford to waste it.
André Aranha Corrêa do Lago, COP30 President
