Countdown to the Amazon Climate Talks: What to Expect at COP30
In just a few days, the UN-backed climate conference, COP30, will be held in Belém, Brazil, on the edge of the Amazon rainforest. Conservation News interviewed Florence Laloe, the climate policy lead at Conservation International, and Mauricio Bianco, head of the organization's Brazil program—both Brazilians dedicated to protecting the forest and its people.
Why is COP30 in Belém a Critical Moment?
Mauricio Bianco: "The global climate movement began here in Brazil in 1992, at the Rio Earth Summit — and now it’s returning home, to the Amazon itself. We are calling it the 'Amazon COP,' or even the 'Nature COP.' It’s a moment for the world to see what’s at stake through the eyes of Brazil — to see that protecting nature means protecting ourselves."
Florence Laloe: "This summit is more than symbolic — it’s also a turning point. The next five years are critical for the land sector — meaning our forests, mangroves, farms and ecosystems. If deforestation and forest degradation continue at today’s rate, the Amazon could cross a tipping point where it starts to dry and turn into savanna."
Key Focus Areas at COP30
- Drawing global attention back to the Amazon, where climate action first gained momentum
- Highlighting the importance of protecting the forest as essential to humanity’s survival
- Addressing deforestation and degradation rates to prevent irreversible damage to the ecosystem
Summary
COP30 in Belém represents a pivotal moment to reinforce global climate efforts by focusing on protecting the Amazon, whose fate is crucial for both nature and human well-being.
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