The United Nations annual climate summit, Cop30, began in Belem, Brazil, a city on the edge of the Amazon rainforest. The gathering aims to push world leaders to take firm action and commit funds to fight global warming.

However, several heads of state from major polluting countries are missing. Despite that, organisers remain hopeful that the talks will lead to strong decisions and renewed global cooperation.

Focus on Implementation and Action

This year’s summit is being called the “Implementation Cop.” Organisers say the goal is to turn past promises into real results. They want to secure funding and ensure that countries meet the climate targets set in earlier summits.

The location itself serves as a reminder of what’s at stake. The Amazon, known as the “lungs of the world,” has lost nearly 17 percent of its forest cover in the last 50 years. Deforestation caused by logging, farming, and mining has created large stretches of barren land.

Lula’s Push for Global Forest Protection

Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva plans to use the event to unite world powers behind rainforest protection. He will launch the Tropical Forests Forever Fund, a new initiative that aims to attract $4 in private funding for every $1 contributed by governments. The fund is designed to help preserve forests in developing nations.

Lula, known for his strong climate stance, wants wealthy countries to take more responsibility in protecting global ecosystems.

Key Polluters Missing from the Talks

The summit, however, faces a major setback due to the absence of leaders from the world’s top three polluting nations — the United States, China, and India.

US President Donald Trump, who withdrew the US from the Paris climate accords on his first day in office, has chosen not to send senior officials. China is represented only by its Deputy Prime Minister, while India’s Prime Minister has also skipped the event.

Climate advocates fear that the lack of US leadership could slow progress. They worry it might weaken international cooperation on emissions reduction and climate finance.

European Leaders Step Up Amid Challenges

With the big polluters absent, European leaders — including the UK Prime Minister, Germany’s Chancellor, and France’s President — face the difficult task of driving the talks forward. They must balance climate urgency with rising political and economic pressures at home.

Lula’s Climate Image Faces Contradictions

While President Lula has been praised for reducing deforestation in the Amazon, critics say his policies send mixed signals. His government recently approved a licence for Brazil’s state oil company to explore for oil near the mouth of the Amazon River. Environmentalists argue this move undermines his climate message.

Host City Faces Strain

Belem, the summit’s host city, is struggling to handle the influx of delegates. The city has only around 18,000 hotel beds. To cope, authorities turned public schools and military buildings into temporary accommodations.

Some participants even stayed on docked cruise ships or booked rooms in “love motels” — which sharply raised prices to meet the soaring demand.