COP30 Belem Brasil
As the world grapples with the escalating impacts of climate change, eyes are turning to Belém, Brazil, the host city for the 30th Conference of the Parties, or COP30. Taking place from November 10th to 21st, 2025. This summit marks a critical juncture in the global effort to create a sustainable future. Yet what exactly is COP30, and why does it matter to us here in Wigan and the UK? This article will break down the key aspects of the conference and explore the challenging issues that world leaders will face. The intention is to provide an Introduction for Wigan About the Latest Climate Summit in Belem Brasil.
The conference is a landmark event. It marks a decade since the ground-breaking Paris Agreement was adopted. The Brazilian presidency has dubbed it the “implementation COP.” That means a determined focus on turning previous COP promises into measurable action. The overarching priorities for the summit are threefold: implementation, inclusion, and innovation.
Latest scientific papers indicate the Earth is on course for 2.6 degrees of warming by the end of this century. That will breach several tipping points. It exposes the gap between previous promises and the need to accelerate implementation action. Why is that important? Because it will significantly effect the world and the UK.
What is COP
“COP” stands for the “Conference of the Parties.” It is the main decision-making body of an international treaty called the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The “Parties” are the 198 nations and territories that have signed up to the treaty, committing to work together to prevent the dangerous human impact on climate. These conferences are held every year, bringing together world leaders, negotiators, and representatives from civil society to assess progress, set goals, and negotiate agreements on how to tackle climate change. The first-ever COP was held in Berlin in 1995. COP30 is simply the 30th of these annual global climate summits. A significant milestone is it marks a decade since the Paris Agreement of limiting heating to 1.5o degrees was adopted at COP21.
Key Aspects on the Agenda in Belém
The agenda for COP30 is ambitious, with a clear focus on accelerating climate solutions. The Brazilian presidency has structured the discussions around six main pillars:
- Transitioning Energy, Industry, and Transport
- Stewarding Forests, Oceans, and Biodiversity
- Transforming Agriculture and Food Systems
- Building Resilience for Cities, Infrastructure, and Water
- Fostering Human and Social Development
- Unleashing Enablers and Accelerators, including Finance, Technology, and Capacity Building
To bring these pillars to life, the conference will feature a series of “Thematic Days” covering over 30 interconnected themes. These will range from adaptation, renewable energy, and sustainable cities to health, human rights, and the vital role of Indigenous peoples and local communities.
One of the most significant agenda items will be the submission of new and updated national climate plans, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). These plans are crucial as they outline how each country will contribute to the global effort to limit warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
With its location in the Amazon, it’s no surprise that forests will be at the heart of the climate action discussions. Brazil is also keen to position this as the “Amazon COP.” As such it is expected to champion initiatives to protect these vital ecosystems. A proposal for a “Tropical Forests Forever Facility” aims to raise significant funds to reward countries for their conservation efforts.
The Thorny Issues on the Table
While the goals are aspirational, the path to achieving them is fraught with challenges. Several difficult and contentious issues are expected to dominate the negotiations.
A major point of contention is climate finance. The long-standing debate over how much wealthier nations should provide to developing countries to help them combat climate change and adapt to its impacts will continue. While an agreement was reached at COP29 to provide $300 billion annually by 2035, the specifics of turning these pledges into actual financial flows remain a significant hurdle.
Another critical challenge is the persistent gap between current climate pledges and what is needed to meet the 1.5°C target. Reports leading up to COP30 indicate that existing commitments would lead to a temperature rise of around 2.5°C to 2.8°C, a level that would have catastrophic consequences. It should put greater pressure on countries to deliver far more ambitious NDCs.
Brasil is not without its own controversies. It has faced criticism for approving exploratory oil drilling near the mouth of the Amazon River, leading to accusations of hypocrisy. This highlights a broader global trend where many nations, including Norway and Australia, continue to support new fossil fuel projects while publicly committing to climate action.
The choice of Belém as the host city has also presented logistical challenges. The city, known as the “gateway to the Amazon,” is not fully equipped to handle the influx of an estimated 50,000 attendees, leading to concerns about accommodation shortages and inflated prices.
Finally, the broader geopolitical context, including international conflicts and trade disputes, could strain the spirit of cooperation that is so essential for successful climate negotiations. The stance of major players, such as the United States, will also be a significant factor in the summit’s outcome.
A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing
Not just an issue at COP30, but also at many before. A large number of attendees are fossil fuel lobbyists. Over 1,600 in fact. At approximately 4%, that’s 1 in 25 delegates.
Analysis from the Kick Big Polluters Out (KBPO) coalition shows that the number of fossil fuel representatives at both conferences has significantly outnumbered the combined delegations of the ten most climate-vulnerable nations.
GLOBAL – Over 5,350 fossil fuel lobbyists have attended U.N. climate negotiations in just four years, with 90 of the corporations they represent responsible for nearly 60% of all global oil and gas production, according to new research from the Kick Big Polluters Out (KBPO) coalition released ahead of COP30 in Belém
Why COP30 Matters for Wigan
If the planet does reach 2.6 degrees warming, then it will have a catastrophic effect on the UK and Northern Europe. It would result in the collapse of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) and mean an end to agriculture production here and countries like Germany, Ukraine, France. For those interested I will create a separate article on Tipping Points including the AMOC.
The decisions made in Belém will have far-reaching consequences that will be felt in communities like ours. The success or failure of these global negotiations will directly impact our local environment, economy, and way of life. By staying informed about the key issues and challenges of COP30, we can better understand the global context of the climate crisis and advocate for the changes needed to build a more sustainable and resilient future for Wigan and the world.
Useful Links for Climate Change COP30
If you want some reliable sources in bite sized chunks to know more about what is really happening in relation to climate change then the following will help
The Climate Action Tracker is an independent scientific project that tracks government climate action and measures it against the globally agreed Paris Agreement aim of “holding warming well below 2°C, and pursuing efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C.” A collaboration of two organisations, Climate Analytics and NewClimate Institute, the CAT has been providing this independent analysis to policymakers since 2009.
A UK based website that is a perfect site and updated daily. You can even request a daily update to your own email address.
An international organisation with many reputable backers pushing the blame back to large corporate polluters as opposed to fossil fuel companies who try to make the individual feel guilty.