The Age of Fine Speeches and Good Intentions is Over: Brazil's UN Climate Conference Focuses On Concrete Steps

Today, in the Brazilian Amazon, the Belém conference commences prior to the 30th United Nations climate change conference (Conference of the Parties 30). I have convened world leaders in the days leading up to the conference so that we can all commit to taking swift measures with the necessary speed the climate crisis demands.

If we fail to move beyond rhetoric to tangible steps, public trust will diminish – not just in climate conferences, but in multilateralism and international politics more broadly. This is the reason for convening officials to the rainforest: to establish this as the "truthful Cop", the moment we demonstrate the seriousness of our shared commitment toward Earth.

People have demonstrated their capacity to conquer major obstacles through united efforts and scientific guidance. The ozone layer was safeguarded by us. Worldwide actions during the Covid-19 crisis 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 meetings have yielded key accords and goals for cutting emissions – including halting deforestation by 2030 to increasing renewable energy threefold.

More than three decades later, the world returns to Brazil to address the climate issue. There's a reason why Cop30 is being held deep within the Amazon jungle. It offers a chance for leaders, envoys, researchers, campaigners, and reporters to witness the reality of the Amazon. We want the world to see the true state of the forests, Earth's biggest river system, and the millions of people who live in the region. Climate conferences must not just display concepts or yearly meetings for delegates. They must be moments of contact with reality and opportunities for real steps against environmental shifts.

To confront this crisis together, we need resources. It's crucial to acknowledge that the concept of shared yet varied duties stays as the fixed basis of any climate pact. This is why developing nations call for increased resource availability – not as aid, but as fairness. Rich countries have benefited the most from the carbon-based economy. They should now fulfill their obligations, not just through pledges but by repaying what they owe.

Brazil is fulfilling its role. Within just two years, we have already halved deforestation in the Amazon, demonstrating that real environmental measures can work.

In Belém, we will launch an innovative initiative to preserve forests: the TFFF fund. Its novelty lies in functioning as an investment fund, not a donation mechanism. The fund will compensate forest preservers and contributors to the fund. A genuine win-win approach to tackling climate change. Setting an example, Brazil has pledged $1 billion to 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 by 59% to 67%, covering all greenhouse gases and all sectors of the economy. With this mindset, we urge all nations to propose similarly bold NDCs and to execute them thoroughly.

Shifting energy sources is crucial for achieving Brazil's climate goals. Our energy mix is one of the globe's greenest, as 88% of our power is renewable. We excel in biofuel production and are progressing in wind, solar, and green hydrogen.

Channeling oil earnings to fund a fair, structured energy shift is vital. 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 in climate policy choices and the shift to clean energy. We must recognise that society's most at-risk groups are the most affected by the impacts of climate change, this is why equitable transition and adjustment strategies must aim to combat inequality.

We cannot forget that 2 billion people lack access to clean cooking methods and fuels, and 673 million people still live with hunger. In response, we are introducing in Belém a declaration on hunger, poverty and climate. Our commitment to fight global warming must be directly linked to the effort to end hunger.

It is equally essential that we push for changes in international governance. Currently, multilateralism suffers from the paralysis within the UN Security Council. Created to preserve peace, it has failed to prevent wars. It is our duty, therefore to advocate for reforming this body. At Cop30, we will advocate for the creation of a UN climate change council connected 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 overcoming the present deadlock in global cooperation.

During each environmental summit, numerous commitments are made yet few concrete actions follow. The era of declarations of good intentions has ended: the time for action plans has arrived. This is why we commence today the “Cop of truth”.