By Mayara Subtil*
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s speech at the opening of the COP31 Leaders’ Summit in Antalya, Turkey, on Wednesday (the 11th), underscored the need to translate the decisions made in climate negotiations into concrete actions. This is the assessment of André Guimarães, executive director of IPAM (Amazon Environmental Research Institute), who highlighted the message directed primarily at developed countries in light of the worsening global warming.
“Lula spoke and sent clear messages, especially to developed countries. We are at a moment when there is a great deal of determination and willingness to act. We also have the motivations and factors that make this action even more necessary, such as global warming and the occurrence of El Niño. So, now is the time to make decisions and take action,” said Guimarães.
In his remarks, Lula drew attention to the climate agenda’s declining prominence in discussions among the world’s major economies. Since COP30 in Belém, the international debate has shifted its focus toward conflicts, trade disputes, and security issues rather than the survival of future generations, according to the president. Lula also advocated for the promotion of science and multilateralism as prerequisites for making progress in addressing the crisis.
Lula also called for the outcomes of Belém to be preserved and translated into action. In this regard, he highlighted the three roadmaps presented by Brazil: the mobilization of $1.3 trillion per year in climate finance, the transition away from fossil fuels, and an end to deforestation.
The president also called on the Turkish presidency of COP31 and Australia—which will play a role in organizing the next conference in Ethiopia—to help disseminate these proposals. According to the head of state, Brazil intends to develop its own roadmaps to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and eliminate deforestation and forest degradation by 2030.
Addressing the gap between national targets and what is needed to limit global warming, Lula stated that the commitments presented by countries are still insufficient. The president cited projections indicating that, even if current climate targets are met, global temperatures could rise by 2.8°C, and he called for accelerating measures such as electrification and waste reduction.
During the same opening session, António Guterres, Secretary-General of the UN (United Nations), also delivered a scathing critique of the fossil fuel industry’s influence on political decisions and the resistance to accelerating the energy transition.
“Fossil fuels need to go the way of the dinosaurs. But that won’t happen on its own. Dinosaurs didn’t have a lobby. Fossil fuels do. And this sector’s strategy is simple: distort science, delay policies, postpone action, and evade accountability,” he said.
Funding for Forests
Funding for forest conservation was another key focus of the speech. Lula presented the TFFF (Tropical Forests Forever Fund), an initiative launched by Brazil to mobilize long-term resources for the protection of tropical forests, as an example of how new mechanisms can help address the climate crisis. The president noted that the fund has already secured the support of dozens of countries and is close to raising the investments needed to begin operations.
“Belém also taught us that innovative solutions are possible when there is political will. The TFFF has managed to garner the support of dozens of countries and is close to securing the investments needed to begin operations. Support from new partners is welcome so that the mechanism can reach its full potential,” he said.
Lula also mentioned the resumption of the Amazon Fund in 2023 and the record number of project approvals recorded last year, benefiting three out of every four municipalities in the region. In highlighting the 71% reduction in Amazon deforestation between 2022 and 2026, the president linked the national results to the importance of international cooperation in preserving the forest.
“The climate crisis is also a crisis of injustices. Injustices of class, gender, and race, and injustices between countries. It makes no sense to abandon the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. Rich countries have developed at the expense of the planet and must fulfill their commitments,” he declared.
*IPAM communications analyst. mayara.barbosa@ipam.org.br