COP31 could consolidate Brazil’s legacy on climate agenda

COP31, the United Nations Climate Change Conference, commenced on November 9th in Antalya, Türkiye, with Brazil stepping into a pivotal leadership position. As the host of the previous COP last year in Belém, the country presented a trove of initiatives aimed at guiding this year’s discussions. Among the highlighted strategies are roadmaps for curbing fossil fuel consumption and stemming deforestation, serving as blueprints for nations to attain net-zero emissions by 2050 and halt forest degradation by 2030.

Expert Maria Netto, executive director of the Climate and Society Institute (iCS), anticipates that the Türkiye conference should elucidate how the Belém initiatives are manifesting into tangible outcomes. She underscores Brazil's capacity to contribute through its experience in deforestation reduction and its ability to forge solutions that harmonize conservation, economic advancement, and climate financing.

Karen Oliveira, public policy director at The Nature Conservancy Brasil, stresses that Brazil must now exhibit its success in establishing a climate legacy. Oliveira stresses that Brazil can showcase in Antalya that climate leadership transcends the confines of hosting a COP; it is solidified when international pledges materialize into economic metamorphosis, nature preservation, and enhanced well-being for people.

Tatiana Oliveira, head of international strategy at WWF-Brasil, highlights the potential for Brazil to assume a leadership role in executing the climate agenda and rallying governments, societies, and international institutions. She acknowledges the complexity of coordination but believes it is feasible. Brazilian diplomacy, she notes, has previously demonstrated its adeptness at forging these connections.

The pressing challenge now, she says, is to translate this coordination into concrete results for people and the planet.

Brazilian researcher Celina Rodrigues, supported by the Serrapilheira Institute, emphasizes the vital role of the Global South in promoting and expanding the climate agenda. Countries like Brazil, she says, possess an abundance of contributions to offer, owing to the diversity of their ecosystems and the scientific capacities they have been cultivating.

She stresses the need not only to generate knowledge but also to actively participate in discussions and decisions that will shape the trajectory towards a sustainable climate future.

National Center for Monitoring and Alerts on Natural Disasters (Cemaden) coordinator José Marengo emphasizes President Lula’s presence at the Türkiye event, highlighting the Brazilian government’s dedication to environmental protection and the Amazon. One of the objectives, Marengo notes, will be to secure additional funding for the Tropical Forest Forever Facility, launched at COP30, which has already garnered substantial financial commitments.

The Climate Change COP marks the final environmental convention among three to be held in 2026. Prior to this conference, countries convened at the Desertification COP in Mongolia and the Biodiversity COP in Armenia. Gabriel Lui, policy director at Instituto Relva, anticipates that the connection between the three environmental agendas will be reinforced by the conclusion of the event in Türkiye.

Following the nations that led the recent conferences, Lui hopes the Joint Declaration on Synergies among the Rio Conventions, signed last November in Belém, can establish procedures to enhance efficiency and scale in joint implementation across the three decision-making forums.