President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva when he spoke at (COP30), in Belém, Brazil on Wednesday. PHOTO/Ricardo Stuckert/Secom-PR.
By PATRICK MAYOYO
In a powerful speech at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) held in Belém on Wednesday, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva delivered a clarion call for global action to combat climate change.
Addressing a gathering of international leaders, activists, and stakeholders, Lula underscored the urgency of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and emphasised the responsibility of each nation to contribute to global environmental goals.
Lula’s speech came at a critical juncture of the conference, which began on 10 November and is set to run until tomorrow (21 November). As host of this year’s COP, Brazil has positioned itself as a key player in global climate negotiations, advocating for concrete actions and sustainable solutions to preserve the planet’s future.
Central to Lula’s address was the introduction of Brazil’s Roadmap, a proposal aimed at guiding global efforts to significantly reduce the use of fossil fuels and curb emissions.
“Everyone must understand their responsibility,” Lula said firmly. “That is why we introduced the Roadmap. We must show society that we are serious without imposing anything on anyone, without setting deadlines. Each country has the sovereignty to determine what it can do within its own timeframe and capacity, but we must show seriousness. We must reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
The Roadmap aims to provide clear action plans and targets for countries to follow, taking into account their unique economic and social contexts. Lula stressed that while the implementation of these targets should respect national sovereignty, a collective commitment to climate action was non-negotiable.
“We must show seriousness,” he repeated, warning that the consequences of inaction could be catastrophic.
In his speech, Lula also highlighted the significance of holding COP30 in Belém, a city that is not traditionally associated with major international events. He referred to the conference as an opportunity to showcase the importance of the Amazon rainforest, a critical global ecosystem under threat from deforestation and climate change.
“It was very important for us to show the Amazon as it truly is, and to embed it in the minds of people around the world,” he said. “I am certain that people now know that there is not only the city of Bethlehem where Jesus was born, but also Belém do Pará; the Belém of the Brazilian people, a people extraordinarily warm, welcoming, and generous, with whom you have certainly engaged.”
Lula’s remarks underscored the importance of placing the Amazon at the heart of the climate conversation, as it plays a vital role in regulating the Earth’s climate and absorbing carbon dioxide.
COP30 stood out from previous climate conferences for its broad and inclusive participation. For the first time, over 3,500 Indigenous leaders attended the conference, an unprecedented mobilisation that Lula celebrated as a key step towards making COP more representative of global society.
“This can be called the first People’s COP of the entire world,” he declared. “People from around the globe came here to express themselves.”
Lula also emphasised the importance of gender equality at COP30, stating that women’s voices must not be sidelined in climate discussions.
“Women must be addressed as a gender issue and must be treated with respect in their full participation,” he insisted. “Women are not second-class citizens.”
Another significant theme of Lula’s speech was the need for wealthier nations to provide financial support to developing countries. The President stressed that climate action cannot succeed without the active participation of poorer nations, which often bear the brunt of climate-related impacts despite contributing least to global emissions.
“We have not yet found another place where we can survive,” Lula reminded the audience. “Caring for the climate is caring for the preservation and continued existence of planet Earth.”
He called for the financial resources and technological knowledge to be shared more equitably, ensuring that nations with tropical forests, like Brazil, are compensated for their conservation efforts.
Lula pointed to the Tropical Forests Forever Fund (TFFF) as a model for this approach, announcing that Germany had pledged €1 billion to the fund. The TFFF will compensate countries that preserve tropical forests, turning conservation into a viable economic model.
Lula also delivered a forceful message on the need to transition away from fossil fuels. He pointed to Brazil’s own successes in renewable energy, with 87% of the country’s electricity now coming from clean sources.
“If fossil fuels are a major source of emissions, then we must begin to consider how to live without fossil fuels and how to design such a future,” he said.
He also called for wealthier nations to help finance Africa’s energy transition, enabling the continent to leapfrog fossil fuel dependency in favour of sustainable alternatives.
“We must design a future where renewable energy is the backbone of global development,” Lula declared, urging all countries to invest in alternative energy sources like solar, wind, and biofuels.
Lula concluded his speech with a note of optimism and cooperation, stating that COP30 was a platform for consensus-building.
“At a COP, nothing is imposed,” he said. “Everything must be achieved through consensus; everything must be thoroughly discussed. We respect the political, ideological, territorial, and cultural sovereignty of every country. We do not seek to impose anything. We seek only to say: it is possible. And if it is possible, let us build it together.”
The President expressed confidence in the ongoing negotiations, stating that his team would continue working towards the best possible outcomes for global climate action. “I am satisfied,” he said, “because we are moving in the right direction.”
As the conference enters its final day, the world watches closely. Lula’s address serves as both a powerful reminder of the stakes involved and a hopeful vision for a more sustainable, inclusive, and cooperative global future.
The question now is whether world leaders will rise to the occasion and take the bold steps needed to secure the planet’s future.
