Starting Monday, the thick, humid Amazon air is replacing the smell of oil that dominated last year’s United Nations climate conference in Baku, the capital of the hydrocarbon-producing nation. Azerbaijan. With 50 thousand participants gathered in the Brazilian city of Belem Conference of the Parties 30 She begins her work with the mission of avoiding the collapse of global cooperation in the face of climate change.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva He insisted on holding the summit in the heart of the Amazon forest, despite the lack of hotel infrastructure and the logistical challenges faced by the organization. He declared in August that “it would be easier to hold the COP in a rich country.” “We want people to see the real situation of our forests, our rivers, and our people who live there.“, he stated.
The president wants negotiators, observers, businessmen and journalists to feel first-hand the impact of climate change in a region where residents walk with umbrellas to protect themselves from the blazing sun in the morning and the heavy rain that arrives in the afternoon.
he AmazonThe planet’s lungs are essential for their ability to absorb greenhouse gases, and face multiple threats: Deforestation, illegal mining, pollution, drug trafficking, and rights violations against local and indigenous communities.
Despite the intense diplomatic efforts made by Brazil over the past year, the organization of this event is progressing despite the difficulties. Many wings remained under construction as of Sunday, according to the sources consulted.
“There is great concern about whether everything will be ready in time logistically“, he pointed out Agence France-Presse A source close to the United Nations.”Communications, microphones, we even worry about getting enough to eatHe added.
Beyond preparations, greater uncertainty lies in the content of the negotiations: Can the world respond collectively to the dire new forecasts of global warming?
The delegates seek to avoid a new confrontation between rich and developing countries and determine how to finance the reconstruction of countries affected by natural disasters, such as natural disasters. Jamaicawhich was destroyed in October by one of the strongest hurricanes of the century, O FilipinoIt was struck by two deadly hurricanes in less than fifteen days.
Another central point would be “Roadmap” on fossil fuels This is what Lula presented on Thursday during the leaders’ summit. Since the world agreed to begin a gradual transition away from oil in 2023 in Dubai, the energy industry and producing countries have increased their pressure to influence the process.
“How will we do that? Will there be consensus on how to do this?“, male Andre Aranha Correa do LagoBrazilian President of COP 30. “This is one of the great mysteries of COP30He added on Sunday.
For three decades, signatory countries United Nations Framework Convention on Climate ChangeIt meets annually to strengthen the international climate regime, which was adopted in Rio de Janeiro in 1992.
It was the greatest achievement of this operation Paris Agreement 2015Which obligated countries to limit the rise in global temperature to 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, while making efforts to keep it below 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Despite political setbacks, the conferences continued even during the US President’s first term. Donald Trump.
However, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio GuterresHe admitted in recent weeks that “Inevitable“By exceeding the threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius, it is urged that the overshoot be exceeded.”As brief as possible“.
To achieve this, countries will have to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, especially from burning oil, gas and coal.
A group of small island states is lobbying for a response to this failure to be formally included on the summit agenda. “1.5 degrees is not just a number or a target, it is a lifeline“He stressed Manjit DhakalAdvisor to the Least Developed Countries Bloc. “We cannot be part of any decision in which it is argued that we cannot achieve 1.5 degrees,” he said.
For the first time in the history of these meetings. USAThe largest economy in the world and the second global source of polluting gases, Not officially involved.
However, Trump did not remain oblivious to the event. On Sunday, he wrote on his social media page that “scandalThat trees will be cut down near Belem to build a new road, after reviewing a report it broadcast Fox News.
(Information from Agence France-Presse)
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