Brazil has issued an urgent call for all nations to submit stronger climate plans ahead of a key September deadline. So far, only 28 countries have handed in carbon reduction proposals to the UN, while major emitters such as China and the European Union remain absent.
On Tuesday, Brazil — which will host the COP30 UN climate summit in November — invited governments to a high-level meeting on September 25, timed to coincide with the UN General Assembly in New York. The UN requires every country’s nationally determined contributions (NDCs) by then to compile a synthesis report measuring how close the world is to limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
André Corrêa do Lago, the veteran diplomat leading Brazil’s COP30 preparations, urged governments to submit ambitious pledges. He warned that weak commitments would force more action at the summit itself, remarking that NDCs are “not just climate targets for 2035, but the vision of our shared future.” If current proposals disappoint, he added, countries must work together to reshape them into a roadmap for a livable planet.
In recent days, Brazil has stepped up its diplomatic outreach as COP30 faces mounting hurdles. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva spoke with China’s Xi Jinping in a one-hour call on climate priorities. Do Lago said he was confident China would release an ambitious NDC in time for the UN’s report.
The upcoming “presidency consultation” on September 25 is notable, since such meetings are usually reserved for the final phase of climate summits. A second gathering on October 15 is meant to avoid the procedural disputes that have delayed recent COP negotiations.
Still, Brazil’s COP30 leadership is under strain from both global politics and local challenges. Rising geopolitical tensions — including Donald Trump’s recent meeting with Vladimir Putin in Alaska — have emboldened fossil fuel interests. Meanwhile, the host city of Belém, a relatively small port at the mouth of the Amazon, faces logistical hurdles. Hotel shortages and soaring accommodation costs, often running between $400 and $1,000 per night, have raised concerns about excluding poorer nations and civil society groups. To ease the crunch, the government has secured two cruise ships and created platforms for residents to rent out rooms, though affordability remains an issue. COP30 chief executive Ana Toni said prices have started to decline and should continue to do so.
Brazil has also adjusted its approach to the summit’s agenda, agreeing to include NDC discussions as part of the Paris Agreement process despite initially hoping to resolve them beforehand. Do Lago stressed the importance of transparency and engagement, noting that “trust is a central issue in these negotiations” and that openness is vital to moving forward.