The event will inevitably arouse debates not only among government spheres but also in the private sector, which will also be present at the conference. Demands that corporations rethink their social and environmental impact will arise, and it is expected that, in the end, the meeting will yield important insights for building CSR solutions in Latin America—where COP30 will take place—as well as worldwide.

As the first ever Conference of the Parties to take place in Brazil, a major leader of the Global South, the location will undoubtedly influence many of the consequential conversations arising, as the host country is likely to leverage its position to shape the discourse. This is even more symbolic considering that the host city, Belém, is located in the heart of the Amazon Rainforest, one of our planet’s most iconic natural landmarks.

Not only is the geographical context important, but timing is also crucial. This is the last COP before the 2025 deadline for countries to submit new, more ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). These are the commitments each nation presents as a plan for meeting the 2030 goals established in the Paris Agreement in 2015.

All these elements will encourage Global South countries to push Global North countries towards taking responsibility and accountability in addressing climate justice, investing in a plan where vulnerable and marginalized communities can be empowered and participate in the decision-making process to build solutions, with demands such as the financing of environmental funds and equity.


Climate Justice at COP30: Agenda and Discussions

A key aspect of the climate justice framework is an ethical one: the more a country contributes to the environmental crisis—today or historically—the more it should be responsible for addressing it. On the other hand, communities that are often on the receiving end of issues and can be part of the solution, should gain their fair space and an equitable role in the decision-making process.

This idea is built on the “Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities” (CBDR-RC) principle under the “UN Framework Convention on Climate Change” (UNFCCC), which takes into consideration that responsibilities should be based on historical contributions to the issue and economic capability of enabling change.

Funding

There are several ways climate justice will be addressed during COP30, the first one being funding. One of the most significant discussions on this issue is likely to revolve around the renegotiation of the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG).

In 2024, during COP29 in Baku, it was set that the previously agreed amount of $300 billion should be mobilized annually by 2025 to develop environmental actions in Global South countries, raising the sum from the previous $100 billion goal.

However, Brazil will try to boost those numbers. The country’s understanding on this subject (backed up by other countries) is that more is needed to tackle the current climate situation, aiming for $1.3 trillion—a bold figure that implies a massive increase. This will be a huge challenge for the host country, which relies on its diplomatic traditions to secure deals with wealthier countries to raise such investments.

Additionally, the Brazilian government will propose another project, the Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF), which will function as a Global North funding trust that rewards countries for preserving their forests. This money is expected to be reinvested in forest conservation, financing local communities to make sure these natural environments remain protected.

A discourse shift is a powerful tool for the Global South to make its case. The idea of Global North countries funding these projects as charity should be replaced by an idea of obligation, akin to a debt they owe to the rest of the planet, given that they are the major contributors to the climate crisis.

Indigenous People in the Spotlight

Since COP30 is being hosted in the Amazon Rainforest, there is a strong expectation that local communities, indigenous leaders and other movements from the Global South will leverage the opportunity to take a stand and amplify their voices in climate justice discussions—not only during side events, but also in the main plenaries.

This will represent an unprecedented platform for indigenous people to speak out to the world from the doorsteps of their territories and demonstrate their impact as forest guardians. The agenda aims to clarify the direct correlation between these communities and climate mitigation.

A key demand, however, is to include these individuals in decision-making processes and ensure that their voices are equal to those of historically stronger political groups. This process is nothing new, echoing debates that took place at the Bonn Conference last June.

During the Bonn meeting, the Brazilian environmental and social NGOs, along with the COP30 Presidency, expressed concerns that financing funds do not adequately consider the needs of traditional peoples and communities in the plans.

One of the most pressing calls indigenous groups have is the application of the Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) principle, a framework that highlights the importance of climate projects and policies consulting and obtaining the consent of indigenous people before taking place on or affecting their lands.

Having these communities involved in the design of such projects ensures that their perspectives on nature, culture and local concerns are actually taken into account.

Besides avoiding powerful players with interests that may not align with sustainability goals guiding their actions, equal participation by indigenous peoples also brings to the table knowledge, which is really helpful in tackling some of the most urgent issues we face in the midst of this climate crisis.


COP30 and Climate Justice: Challenges

Some Global North countries are expected to resist the idea of allocating more funds for financing, creating a challenge that will likely lead to tense negotiations.

This is particularly notable in the light of the latest positioning of the USA on environmental topics. Donald Trump’s presidency is openly opposed to climate justice actions, and, as the country with the largest economy on the planet, has significant influence on affairs. This posture may yet be replicated by others.

On the matter of including indigenous rights and making their voices heard, this can also generate tension, as these groups often operate in very different ways to powerful companies, for example. This difference in interests will surely clash during arbitrations and presents a major challenge that negotiators will have to face and overcome.

Brazil’s leadership during the event could also be seen as a double-edged sword. On the one hand, the country has a strong economy, a key factor that can impact its influence on debates and offer the necessary support for Global South countries to present their case and arguments. On the other hand, the South American giant has its contradictions, which can be easily exposed at the other side of the negotiation table.

A topic that will surely come up is the Brazilian government’s plans to explore oil in the Equatorial Margin, located near the mouth of the Amazon River. This project could impact not only the local environment, with a high risk of spills that could cause unprecedented devastation, but also local communities.

Other Brazilian conflicts of interest include the past construction of several water dams in the Amazon, which displaced indigenous people and destroyed the natural balance in large areas, despite the resistance of these communities against the projects. These actions can be showcased as hypocrisy, with the Northern countries using it as an argument for hypocrisy stating Brazil doesn’t practice what it preaches on a global scale in its own backyard.


An Important Test: The Legacy of COP30

This year’s Conference of the Parties can be a pivotal moment for addressing the environmental crisis. The context makes it a perfect opportunity for the Global South, led by Brazil, to raise the stakes and press the Global North towards greater commitments. However, negotiations are expected to be tense, especially given the Brazilian contradictions and the likely resistance from the Global North in play.

The legacy Belém will leave is an important indicator of whether we, as a group, can transcend geopolitical and ideological hurdles to build answers based on climate justice. For this, tangible solutions and equitable opportunities must be delivered to address the climate emergency we find ourselves in.

By Henrique Castro Barbosa.