- Brazil calls for “additional governance structures” under the UN to accelerate climate action and follow through on commitments.
- Environment Minister Marina Silva acknowledges the US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement but urges global cooperation to keep progress on track.
As Brazil prepares to chair this year’s United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties (COP30), it is doubling its commitment to accelerating climate action.
Brazil has proposed creating “additional governance structures” within the UN framework to strengthen global efforts and complement the existing processes under the UNFCCC. This call for enhanced accountability aims to ensure that countries meet their climate pledges and stay on track in the face of rising global challenges.
Marina Silva, Brazil’s Environment Minister, explained the rationale behind the proposal, emphasising that the current system of reviewing Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)—countries’ climate plans—is insufficient.
“The NDCs are meant to be reviewed every five years. Maybe this is not enough. We may need additional pieces to make global efforts more effective,” Silva said, outlining the situation’s urgency.
With the finalisation of the Paris Agreement’s rulebook, Silva pointed to the structured framework now in place as a strong foundation for global cooperation. However, she clarified that failure to act is not an option.
“We have no choice but to implement, or else we will experience the unthinkable,” Silva warned, setting a tone of resolute action as she laid out Brazil’s proposed roadmap for the next decade.
One of the cornerstones of Brazil’s climate agenda is the call for a 10-year global plan to phase out fossil fuels and end deforestation. Silva highlighted that such a comprehensive, long-term approach is vital for making a meaningful impact on the climate crisis. “This is a race against time,” she said. “Our future depends on the decisions we make now.”
While Brazil’s proposals reflect a clear path forward, Silva also addressed the setbacks caused by the United States’ withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, calling it a significant hurdle for climate progress. As the world’s second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, the US holds immense sway in global climate negotiations.
“The US, being a technology powerhouse, influences outcomes. We cannot deny this,” Silva admitted. However, she also stressed that other countries must not let this challenge deter them. “The US walking away from an agreement is not new. It happened with the Kyoto Protocol, yet the multilateral regime continued to progress,” she said.
Silva expressed hope that individual states in the US, given their federal system, would continue to push forward on climate efforts despite the federal government’s stance. She believes this could help mitigate some of the setbacks caused by the national withdrawal from the global accord.
Looking beyond the US, Silva voiced concern over the increasingly complex geopolitical climate, highlighting how ongoing conflicts, trade disputes, and tariffs may further stall climate action. “The confluence of multiple factors is worrisome for climate action in general.
Wars, geopolitical tensions, and trade disputes may drain resources and hinder cooperation,” she warned, stressing the importance of trust and collaboration among nations in these turbulent times.
Despite these challenges, Silva remained optimistic, underscoring that climate change is a rare issue that requires a global response. “We cannot tackle climate change without global cooperation,” she said, making it clear that no single nation can solve the crisis alone.
As the world looks to Brazil to lead COP30, the country is setting the stage for a transformative approach to climate governance. With ambitious proposals, Brazil calls for bold, decisive action—a strategy that may well define the future of global climate policy.