COP29 Exposed an Absurd Mismatch for Real-World Needs

The 29th UN Climate Conference (COP29) in Baku revealed a deal detached from reality, ignoring those battered by fossil fuel-driven floods, fires, and famines. Weak agreements on fossil fuels, inadequate financing, and neglect of Indigenous Peoples’ leadership left vulnerable nations and communities unsupported. COP30, hosted by Brazil, could be people's and the planet's last chance if it delivers the transformative solutions our planet urgently needs.

Fossil Fuels: Still the Biggest Threat

Fossil fuels remain the primary driver of the climate crisis, yet COP29 failed to take meaningful steps to phase them out. Oil and gas interests dominated the agenda, blocking progress toward a cleaner future.

At COP30, Brazil must lead Parties to adopt a fast, clear, and actionable roadmap to end global dependency on fossil fuels. This is not just a moral obligation—it is critical for our survival and the survival of our planet.

Climate Finance: Falling Short

Developed nations promised $300 billion annually by 2035 to support developing countries - nowhere near the $5–6 trillion experts estimate is needed to address the climate crisis effectively.

Developing nations, especially the most vulnerable nations and communities , are left with uncertainty and insufficient resources to adapt to rising sea levels and extreme weather events and to repair other escalating impacts. COP30 must deliver fair, transparent, and accessible funding to ensure that they are not left behind.

Ensuring Land Rights: A Proven Climate Solution

Indigenous Peoples and local communities are on the frontlines of the climate crisis, safeguarding critical ecosystems like the Amazon. Despite this, COP29 failed to prioritise their calls for direct funding to secure their land rights and strengthen the climate actions they lead.

Science has proven that in Indigenous Peoples’ territories, forests thrive and ecosystems flourish, which results in emissions dropping. COP30 must ensure that Indigenous Peoples’ leadership is central to global climate solutions by ensuring their full, equitable, inclusive, effective, and gender-responsive representation and participation in decision-making. Respecting land rights is not just about justice but is essential for protecting biodiversity and combating climate change.

Forests: Our Best Ally

Forests play a crucial role in fighting the climate crisis. Beyond supporting millions of livelihoods and biodiversity, they absorb and keep carbon underground. Yet, at COP29, deforestation was barely addressed.

Protecting ecosystems like the Amazon is vital for our survival. This starts with empowering those who have safeguarded these forests for generations: Indigenous Peoples and local communities.

All Eyes Are on Brazil

Next year's COP30 in Belém, Brazil, is a critical opportunity to reset the global climate agenda and trust in multilateralism. Probably the last one. Brazil must lead with bold, transformative solutions that include:

• A fast, fair, inclusive, and properly funded roadmap to phase out oil, coal, and gas.
• Trillions in funding for vulnerable nations and communities.
• Direct access to funding by Indigenous Peoples, legally securing their rights to land, territories, and resources.

If governments fail to act, the people's power is ready to rise and demand the change our planet needs. Together, we can ensure COP30 delivers real solutions and avoids repeating the failures of COP29.

The time for action is now—Brazil must rise to the challenge.