From 10–21 November 2025, world leaders, scientists, activists, negotiators, Indigenous Peoples, and affected communities will gather in Belém, Brazil for COP30, the annual UN climate conference. This year’s meeting is particularly significant as it follows the confirmation that global temperatures have surpassed the critical 1.5°C threshold above pre-industrial levels, highlighting the urgent need for coordinated climate action. The conference emphasizes placing human rights at the center of climate policy, ensuring environmental defenders are protected, and promoting a rapid and just phase-out of fossil fuels. Leaders are also expected to discuss scaling up climate finance in the form of grants to support those most impacted by climate change.
COP, or the Conference of Parties, is the primary decision-making body of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), established to coordinate global climate action and implement the Paris Agreement. COP meetings are hosted annually in different locations, providing a platform for countries to negotiate commitments and solutions to address climate change. COP30 in Brazil comes at a critical moment as the planet faces escalating climate risks, with global warming projected to reach 2.8°C by 2100 if decisive measures are not taken.
This year’s conference also spotlights Brazil, where the government continues to expand fossil fuel extraction, including granting Petrobras a license to drill in the mouth of the Amazon. Such activities threaten local ecosystems, water and soil quality, and the rights and livelihoods of Indigenous Peoples and traditional communities, including the Karipuna, Palikur-Arukwayene, Galibi Marworno, and Galibi Kali’na peoples. The contradiction between Brazil’s domestic fossil fuel expansion and its role as COP host underscores the tension between climate commitments and national actions.
Climate change poses increasing threats to human rights globally, impacting access to food, water, housing, health, and life. Disasters such as prolonged droughts, floods, heatwaves, and the spread of disease disproportionately affect marginalized groups, including children, older adults, Indigenous Peoples, rural communities, and people living in poverty. These “frontline” and “fenceline” communities bear the brunt of climate impacts and industrial pollution, often experiencing environmental racism and systemic neglect. Pakistan exemplifies this vulnerability, suffering severe floods and heatwaves despite contributing minimally to global emissions, and continues to face challenges in accessing adequate climate finance to recover and adapt.
COP30 must focus on ambitious action to limit global warming and protect human rights. Governments are urged to submit national climate plans, commit to a full, fast, and fair phase-out of fossil fuels, and scale up non-debt creating climate finance to support vulnerable countries. Ending fossil fuel subsidies and investing in renewable energy alternatives are crucial to reducing greenhouse gas emissions while respecting human rights.
The conference must also ensure civic space is protected, allowing climate activists, human rights defenders, and Indigenous Peoples to participate safely in negotiations without intimidation or criminalization. In recent years, climate defenders have faced harassment, arbitrary detention, and crackdowns, highlighting the need for explicit protections during COP and broader international recognition of their vital role.
Equitable climate finance is another priority, as lower-income countries struggle to cope with climate impacts despite contributing least to global emissions. While COP29 set a target of USD 300 billion annually by 2035, this falls short of the actual needs. Mechanisms such as “polluter pays” taxes and redirecting fossil fuel subsidies could generate substantial funds to help vulnerable countries adapt, recover, and mitigate further climate risks. COP30 is expected to deliver clear timelines and plans for achieving these targets and scaling up grant-based support for climate adaptation and loss and damage.
