Cop30 wrapped up in Belém on Saturday (22) with decisions on climate adaptation, finance, and indigenous rights, but without agreements to phase out fossil fuels or halt deforestation. The conference, the first in Brazil, drew participants from over 190 countries and revitalized the city's historical heritage. Despite frustrations, those affected by the climate crisis emphasize the need to persist with the forum.
The 30th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (Cop30) concluded in Belém, Pará, after nearly 27 hours of delay, on November 22, 2025. Held from November 10 to 21, the event gathered representatives from 195 Paris Agreement signatories and highlighted progress in areas like adaptation and finance, though it failed to address the transition from fossil fuels, responsible for 75% of greenhouse gas emissions.
The Brazilian presidency, led by Ambassador André Corrêa do Lago, proposed a roadmap to reduce dependence on oil, coal, and natural gas, backed by about 80 countries including Colombia and the European Union. However, opposition from nations led by Saudi Arabia excluded the topic from the final text. Corrêa do Lago announced he would develop the plan independently as a recommendation. Similarly, a proposal to eliminate deforestation by 2030, which accounts for 10% of global emissions, was watered down, mentioning only efforts to halt forest degradation.
Advances include 59 indicators to measure the Global Adaptation Goal, a working group until Cop32 in Ethiopia, and tripling adaptation finance by 2035 relative to 2025. The Tropical Forests Forever Fund (TFFF) was launched with US$ 6.7 billion in pledges, toward a US$ 125 billion goal, contributed by Brazil, Indonesia, Norway, Germany, France, and Portugal. For the first time, texts recognized indigenous territorial rights and the role of Afro-descendants and Black women in the climate fight.
Belém managed accommodation well, with 83% hotel occupancy and 45% of properties unrented, according to Tony Santiago of ABIH-PA and Maria Luísa Carneiro of Creci-PA. Sites like Mercado de São Brás and Complexo dos Mercedários were revitalized, with R$ 49.4 million invested in the latter. However, protests, a fire on November 20 that suspended negotiations, and transport issues like congestion in the green zone marked the event. Those affected, like Charles Xander Deluna from the Philippines and Michael Mwansa from Zambia, insist on Cop despite frustrations: "Liberation cannot come without struggle," says Mwansa.
