Brazil’s Civil Society Pledges Tested as COP30 Climate Summit Approaches

As the COP30 climate summit nears in Brazil, civil society’s role is both crucial and uncertain. With rising costs for accommodations and bureaucratic barriers, participation may be limited for many groups. Activists call for genuine engagement from governmental bodies while challenging the increasing presence of fossil fuel lobbyists at negotiations. Initiatives aimed at boosting social participation and parallel events, like the People’s Summit, may shape the discourse surrounding climate justice.

As the COP30 climate summit draws near, attention is specifically turning toward Brazil’s civil society and the role it will play in this highly anticipated event. Taking place in the Amazonian city of Belém this November, both the summit’s president, André Corrêa do Lago, and its executive director, Ana Toni, have been vocal proponents of including civil society in discussions leading up to the event. Corrêa do Lago has emphasized how crucial it is for civil society to be involved; he believes public pressure can shift entrenched political positions within negotiations.

In stark contrast to previous COPs, which were often hosted in countries with authoritarian regimes limiting fundamental rights, COP30 is positioned as a more inclusive platform. Recent COPs saw social movements stifled due to restrictions on protests and public participation. Meanwhile, Brazilian authorities have convened a technical working group aimed at enhancing social participation. Initiatives like the People’s Circle, part of COP30’s Leadership Circles, are designed to amplify voices from Indigenous groups and other marginalized communities.

Stela Herschmann, a climate policy expert from the Climate Observatory, has welcomed Brazil’s proactive steps but harbors doubts about the effectiveness of new structures. “We need to understand how these initiatives will operate in practice,” she says, noting that their influence may not extend fully to formal negotiations conducted under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

For activists, however, the situation is complex. Savio Carvalho, associated with 350.org, says that while Brazil should uphold its commitments to civil participation, the country must also contend with financial barriers that may hinder participation. The soaring costs associated with accommodation in Belém have raised eyebrows. Reports indicate that some lodgings are charging up to BRL 2 million (approximately USD 354,000) for a two-week stay, deterring many potential participants.

On top of the high accommodation fees, logistical challenges—such as elevated flight costs—are making attendance problematic, even for local organizations from the Amazon region itself. Carvalho criticizes the contradiction between the Brazilian government advocating for civil participation while allowing practices that undermine it. This is particularly relevant in light of dwindling international funding for climate initiatives, further complicating access.

Alisi Rabukawaqa-Nacewa, a Fijian activist, outlines a pressing conundrum regarding limited funding sources. With travel and participation costs so high, she questions whether groups like hers should invest their resources to be at COP30 or focus on local climate actions instead.

The sheer number of individuals attending COPs has boomed in recent years, eclipsing previous participation numbers. While this trend is commendable, it doesn’t necessarily guarantee meaningful civil engagement. Access to the negotiation space—the Blue Zone—is primarily granted to organizations registered with the UNFCCC, and the bureaucratic hurdles make it challenging for many potential participants to gain entry. “The wait for registration can stretch over four years,” mentions Herschmann.

In the meantime, while grassroots organizations struggle with participation issues, the presence of fossil fuel lobbyists has surged, with thousands attending recent COPs. Herschmann notes that given the rising influence of these lobbyists, it is imperative to scrutinize conflicts of interest during negotiations.

The Indigenous peoples of the Amazon have been vocally insisting on their equal participation at COP30. They recently penned a letter outlining the need for them to have equal negotiating power alongside governments. The Brazilian government has undertaken initiatives aimed at improving Indigenous representation, such as forming an International Indigenous Commission geared toward enhancing visibility at COP30.

Despite these initiatives, Sila Mesquita, an activist involved in the Amazon Working Group Network, contends that government-led efforts do not equate to representational democracy—true civil society interests may still be sidelined. Organizers of the parallel People’s Summit, a gathering that looks to prioritize climate justice, assert that over 500 organizations plan to attend, with expectations of significant turnout at the Federal University of Pará.

As the summit date approaches, calls for greater accountability, ambition in climate targets, and the exclusion of fossil fuel lobbyists are intensified. The ongoing mistrust in multilateralism, alongside pressures from ongoing socio-political tensions, further complicate the context in which COP30 is set to unfold. “The pressure from the street is vital,” Herschmann asserts, stressing that outdoor activism must reflect loud and clear at the negotiating tables. With the Pará government’s mixed responses to civil actions, it remains uncertain how civil society will ultimately engage during COP30. Carvalho describes the current moment as precarious, saying, “It is still too early to determine the future of civil society’s role at COP30.”

As COP30 approaches, Brazil’s civil society remains hopeful yet skeptical about its participation amid numerous challenges. Economic barriers, bureaucratic exclusions, and the looming presence of fossil fuel lobbyists complicate the landscape for meaningful engagement. While government initiatives aim to increase representation, many activists argue that genuine civil discourse is still at risk. The scheduled People’s Summit could offer an alternative venue for civil voices to demand climate justice and accountability, but the extent of its influence remains to be seen.

Original Source: www.eco-business.com