Andre Correa do Lago, president of COP30, encourages nations to set ambitious greenhouse gas emissions targets before the February 10 deadline, emphasizing alignment with the 1.5 degrees Celsius limit. The conference, hosted by Brazil in Belem, seeks to facilitate financial commitments from developed nations and will involve discussions on the varied paths of energy transition amidst increasing climate challenges.
In an interview with AFP, Andre Correa do Lago, the COP30 president, emphasized that countries should set the most ambitious targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions as they prepare for upcoming deadlines. He pointed out that major players, including the European Union and China, have yet to announce their new goals, even as the February 10 deadline approaches. Correa do Lago insisted that these new plans must surpass previous commitments, emphasizing alignment with the 1.5 degrees Celsius limit established in the Paris Agreement.
The COP30 conference will be hosted in Belem, Brazil, marking the first time the event takes place in a region critical to global climate health. This conference follows significant challenges, such as the U.S. withdrawing from the Paris Agreement under President Donald Trump. Correa do Lago expressed optimism about maintaining discussions with the United States, highlighting ongoing communications through platforms like the G20 and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Financial commitments remain a pivotal aspect of the climate dialogue. The last COP concluded with an agreement for wealthy nations to provide $300 billion annually to developing countries vulnerable to climate change effects, although many poorer nations deemed this inadequate. Correa do Lago mentioned Brazil’s mandate, alongside Azerbaijan, to advocate for an increase in climate financing from $300 billion to $1.3 trillion.
Under the leadership of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Brazil is committed to combating climate change, despite facing criticism for plans to expand oil explorations. While achieving reduction in Amazon deforestation, Lula’s government grapples with the balance between energy transition and fossil fuel reliance, as energy strategies vary by country. Correa do Lago highlighted the complexities involved in moving towards a cleaner energy future and cited Germany’s energy policy shifts as an example of this intricate process.
As global temperatures rise and climate change impacts intensify, countries are being urged to enhance their commitments to greenhouse gas reductions. The Paris Agreement, established in 2015, seeks to limit temperature increases to 1.5 degrees Celsius, a goal that many nations are struggling to achieve. COP30, set to convene in Brazil, represents a pivotal opportunity for countries to revise their emissions targets and increase financing to assist developing nations tackling climate change effects. Brazil’s role in hosting the conference is particularly significant given its environmental challenges and ambitions.
In conclusion, COP30 represents a critical platform for nations to reconvene and set more aggressive targets to mitigate climate change. The emphasis from COP30 president Andre Correa do Lago on ambitious goals underscores the urgency of the climate crisis. While financial commitments from wealthier nations remain necessary, Brazil’s hosting of this conference reflects a renewed commitment to addressing climate impacts, despite challenges in balancing energy use and conservation.
Original Source: www.france24.com
