Brazil aims to rally major economies for stronger climate pledges ahead of COP30

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres have scheduled a closed online meeting on Wednesday to talk with leaders from the world's 35 biggest economies about stronger commitments.
Brazil, which hosts this year's United Nations climate summit, has a main goal of persuading Europe, China and other developing economies to commit to cutting greenhouse gas emissions enough to keep global warming well below 2 degrees Celsius, three people with knowledge of the country's plans told Reuters.
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres have scheduled a closed online meeting on Wednesday to talk with leaders from the world's 35 biggest economies about stronger commitments.
More To Read
- Somalia’s exports are threatened by climate change and conflict: What 30 years of data tell us
- Mandera eyes carbon credits to boost climate action, sustainable development
- How people with disabilities are leading flood preparedness outreach in Garissa
- Activists, organisations to petition African Court over climate change, human rights
- Major breakthrough as UN adopts plan for net-zero shipping emissions by 2050
- Why Kinshasa keeps flooding and why it's not just about the rain
Brazilian ambassador and COP30 president Andre Correa do Lago, was in Beijing last week, where he discussed national pledges with Chinese officials.
He said that bringing NDCs in line with the Paris Agreement was not a strictly Brazilian goal, because each nation sets its own target, but Brazil was encouraging countries to get there.
"We're not where Paris has recommended," he added. "We hope the numbers will come closer."
Brazil's Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
This year's global climate summit, COP30, hosted in the Amazonian city of Belem in November, marks the 10th anniversary of the Paris Accord, when signatories agreed to limit warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius from pre-industrial levels.
Until now, though, nations have only committed to limiting warming to around 2.6 degrees Celsius, a catastrophic level that scientists believe could lead to the collapse of several natural systems that humans depend on.
US President Donald Trump pulled his country, the world's biggest economy, out of the Paris Agreement, so closing the gap will be difficult. Brazilian diplomats hope it will be possible with a more ambitious pledge from China, the world's biggest polluter, as well as other emerging economies and Europe.
New emissions targets
Brazilian diplomats are working closely with UN officials to encourage countries to file new emissions targets, called Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), by September. Most countries missed a February deadline.
"In principle, Belem will go down in history as the COP with NDCs below 1.5 or 2 degrees," said one of the sources, who requested anonymity to discuss sensitive diplomatic dynamics.
Given China's importance to global climate talks, Brazil is putting added emphasis on the topic as president this year of the BRICS group, which includes China and other major developing economies.
Lula is set to meet Xi in person at least twice before the September deadline for new pledges, including at a June gathering of BRICS leaders in Brazil.
China has given no sign it plans to boost its target, and its economy has shown signs of flagging due to a punishing trade war with the US.
"The economic concerns that are constraining China's NDC are still there, if not exacerbated by Trump's tariffs," said Yao Zhe, global policy advisor with Greenpeace in Beijing.
China's Foreign Ministry did not comment specifically on the country's plans for its emissions target.
"Climate governance is currently facing headwinds. Only by strengthening multilateralism and international cooperation can we effectively address global issues," a spokesperson for the ministry said in a statement.
Top Stories Today
- Silent but deadly: Growing burden of respiratory diseases in Kenya
- Samsung to launch ultra-slim Galaxy S25 edge globally on May 12: What to expect
- Cold showers: The wellness trend making waves, but are they for everyone?
- How officers recruitment freeze has affected police-to-civilian ratio- KNBS
- Sudan envoy defies junta’s orders to cut ties with UAE, saying it is "irrelevant"
- Community elders and religious leaders in Garissa empowered on handling alternative justice system
- First white South Africans to arrive under US refugee plan as soon as next week
- Lamu records highest increase in ID card applications as border regions see surge
- Seven dead, houses submerged as heavy rains cause severe flooding in Mogadishu
- EAC central banks adopt master plan to modernise cross-border payments
- Health Ministry begins issuance of title deeds to safeguard public facilities from land grabs
- Chef Mohamud shares his recipe for crispy chicken wings you can make at home
- Google messages to roll out 'Delete for Everyone' feature on Android
- Consumers to benefit from decline in global commodity prices, says World Bank
- Private sector dominates Kenya’s borehole drilling as state spending dips
- Senate starts probe on expired medicine crisis in counties
- Cheluget family backs Ruto’s Narok land deal for resettlement
- Gaza’s health system under fire: 1,400 medics killed in targeted attacks
- Nurses reject payroll transfer to counties, vow to continue strike
- China, Russia unite against global bullying and power play