COP30 President Andre Correa do Lago urged countries to set high emissions reduction goals ahead of the February 10 deadline for announcing targets for the Paris Climate Agreement. With critical players like the EU and China yet to reveal their commitments, the global temperature aim of 1.5 degrees Celsius remains threatened. Brazil seeks to enhance financial assistance for developing nations while navigating its own energy policies amid controversies regarding fossil fuel expansion.
In an interview with AFP, Andre Correa do Lago, the president of COP30 set to take place in Brazil this November, emphasized that nations must establish the most ambitious greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals possible. As the February 10 deadline nears for parties to the Paris Agreement to announce their targets for 2035, key players like the EU and China remain silent on their commitments.
The Paris Agreement, established in 2015, aims to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. This threshold has already been surpassed in recent years. In light of this, Correa do Lago stated that, regardless of when countries disclose their targets, they must exceed prior commitments and align with the goal of avoiding further temperature increases.
Brazil will host COP30 in Belem, a region of significant importance to climate change discussions. This meeting follows the US’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, which has been criticized for exacerbating fossil fuel reliance. Correa do Lago acknowledged the ongoing dialogues with the US through forums like the G20 and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
At the last COP in Azerbaijan, an agreement was reached for developed nations to provide $300 billion annually to support developing countries facing climate change impacts—albeit criticized for being inadequate. Moreover, Brazil, in collaboration with Azerbaijan, seeks to propose strategies to enhance this financial commitment to $1.3 trillion.
Under the leadership of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Brazil aims to lead in climate action, despite controversies regarding oil exploration in delicate regions like the Amazon. Correa do Lago reflected on the varied dynamics of energy transitions, citing Germany’s experience of shifting from nuclear to coal energy as an example of complex transition paths.
The COP30 climate conference will be a pivotal meeting as countries present their updated emissions reduction targets under the Paris Agreement. As climate conditions continue to deteriorate, the need for ambitious goals has become increasingly urgent. The looming deadline for signatories to outline their plans for 2035 highlights the responsibility of major players in the global fight against climate change. Brazil’s hosting of the conference underscores its role in this critical dialogue, particularly concerning the Amazon’s ecological significance and the ongoing controversies surrounding the nation’s energy policies.
In summary, COP30’s focus will center on the urgent need for countries to establish far-reaching emissions reduction targets to combat climate change effectively. Although major players have yet to disclose their goals, the call for ambition remains clear. Financial commitments to assist developing nations will also be a significant topic, emphasizing the global responsibility to address climate-related challenges collaboratively.
Original Source: www.france24.com
