Climate Change Solutions Update

Tag: Brazil

  • All you need to know about the outcome of COP30

    COP30 in Belém, Brazil saw a strong focus on transitioning from promises to action in the fight against climate change, with discussions on phasing out fossil fuels, climate finance, and transitioning to renewable energy. Indigenous and frontline communities pushed for justice, leading to the demarcation of Indigenous territories and the creation of the Belém Action Mechanism for a just transition. Momentum for a fossil fuel phase-out grew, with countries like Brazil and Colombia moving towards this goal. Despite delays in funding, progress was made towards a just transition and a global push to end fossil fuels, driven by people-powered leadership. The upcoming International Conference on the Just Transition Away from Fossil Fuels aims to address the finance gap and support vulnerable nations in adapting to climate impacts.

    https://350.org/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-outcome-of-cop30/

  • Environmental News Network – Creating an Extension-Driven Vision for Smarter Farming

    Luan Oliveira, a researcher in agricultural engineering and precision agriculture, utilizes machines, drones, artificial intelligence, and robots to improve farming operations. His work, influenced by his family's farming background in Brazil, directly supports Georgia's agriculture industry. Oliveira's passion for machinery and agriculture led him to focus on utilizing robotic equipment in the field to enhance agricultural practices. His research at the University of Georgia highlights the potential for technological advancements to revolutionize farming methods and increase efficiency in the agricultural sector.

    https://www.enn.com/articles/77455-creating-an-extension-driven-vision-for-smarter-farming

  • Brazil creates new Indigenous territories after COP30 protests

    Brazil has created 10 new Indigenous territories, including one in the Amazon, to protect culture and environment, with calls for more lands to be legally recognized. Indigenous peoples protect biodiversity and traditional ways of life help tackle global warming, with past recognition of Indigenous reserves preventing deforestation and potentially reducing carbon emissions by 26% by 2030. The Brazilian government has announced the creation of new protected areas for indigenous peoples, crucial for regulating the global climate and storing carbon, with efforts at COP30 to limit global temperature rises and address the impacts of climate change. Indigenous groups face attacks when defending their land, with protests at COP30 demanding land demarcation to ensure the protection of Indigenous territories and their vital role in climate solutions.

    https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1d0vekq12ro

  • COP30 draft text includes energy transition minerals in UN climate first

    Countries attending COP30 in Belém, Brazil are discussing the implications of extracting minerals for clean energy technologies, with a focus on the social and environmental risks of scaling up supply chains. The UN panel report emphasizes the importance of putting human rights at the core of mineral value chains, particularly for minerals like copper, cobalt, and lithium that are in high demand. Developing countries, including African nations, are advocating for fair and sustainable mineral supply chains for the energy transition, highlighting the need for strong social and environmental safeguards, sustainable consumption patterns, and the rights of Indigenous Peoples. There is debate over the inclusion of language on transitioning away from fossil fuels, with developing countries calling for technical assistance and international cooperation for a just energy transition, while developed countries are exploring alternatives to creating a new institution.

    https://www.climatechangenews.com/2025/11/14/cop30-draft-text-includes-energy-transition-minerals-in-un-climate-first/

  • COP30: Brazil leads a new global effort to accelerate multilevel climate action

    Brazil and Germany have been announced as the first co-chairs of the Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnerships (CHAMP) until 2027, aiming to enhance collaboration between national and subnational governments in climate policy and finance. The Plan to Accelerate the Solution (PAS) on Multilevel Governance was launched to advance global climate cooperation and implement the Paris Agreement, with a goal to include multilevel governance structures in 100 national climate plans by 2028 and train 6,000 public officials and practitioners in CHAMP-endorsing countries by the same year. The implementation of the PAS will be led by Brazil's Ministry of Cities and Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, supported by various global initiatives, reaffirming their commitment to institutionalizing multilevel governance as a cornerstone of climate implementation. Germany's significant investment in climate and biodiversity projects worldwide, including subnational initiatives, further supports the coalition's efforts to advance global implementation and highlights the importance of tangible climate action in cities like Belém, Brazil.

    https://www.c40.org/news/cop30-brazil-leads-a-new-global-effort-to-accelerate-multilevel-climate-action/

  • Keeping cool on a hotter planet: COP30 pushes for sustainable cooling and AI innovation

    AI is being utilized to aid farmers in predicting droughts and managing crops efficiently, but concerns arise regarding the environmental cost of training large models and running data centers. Cooling is identified as a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, with sustainable alternatives gaining momentum. Initiatives like the Technology Implementation Programme at COP30 and the Beat the Heat Implementation Drive are working to promote sustainable solutions and bridge gaps in finance, policy, and delivery for vulnerable communities. Researcher Alisa Luangrath's AI-powered irrigation system in Lao People's Democratic Republic won the UNFCCC "AI for Climate Action" Award, integrating soil moisture sensors, groundwater monitors, and meteorological data to assist farmers in planning planting and irrigation cycles more efficiently. However, the environmental footprint of AI, including data centers, is a growing concern, with potential strain on water resources as countries like Brazil race to attract data centers.

    https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/11/1166332

  • What do African countries want from COP30?

    African government negotiators at COP30 are prioritizing fair sharing of the bill for climate change, seeking finance solutions to help them become more resilient to climate disasters and transition to cleaner energy without adding to their debt loads. Several African countries have lowered emissions cutting ambitions in their latest national climate plans due to lack of funding. The goal is to ensure practical solutions are recognized for African countries experiencing global warming, with a focus on debt-free finance and increased provision of climate cash from public and private sources. African negotiators are pushing for $1.3 trillion in annual financial support by 2035, with the majority being grant-based resources to avoid increasing the continent's debt burden. Africa's total external debt has risen to $1.15 trillion by the end of 2023, with debt servicing reaching $163 billion in 2024. African negotiators are aiming to unlock cash to implement national adaptation plans and adopt metrics tailored to Africa's circumstances. Discussions are ongoing to finalize a set of around 100 indicators for adaptation progress. African countries are eager to see national adaptation plans become a reality on the ground, with a focus on building resilience and capacity for emergency response. The Congo Basin is receiving limited international forest-related financing, and African delegates are interested in the Tropical Forest Forever Facility launched by Brazil at COP30. African civil society groups are calling for COP30 to recognize the Congo Basin as a vital global climate asset and ensure equitable finance flows for its protection. They also want support for Africa-led initiatives like the Great Green Wall and AFR100 to strengthen nature-based solutions. Activists are pushing for a Just Transition Work Programme to ensure social justice and equity in job creation and finance during the global shift to cleaner energy sources. African countries are also advocating for discussions at COP30 on critical minerals to focus on powering Africa's transition and supporting their development. Loss and damage costs in Africa due to climate impacts are estimated to be between $280 billion-$440 billion a year from 2020 to 2030. Africa is facing "irreplaceable loss" due to climate change impacts, including damage to cultural heritage sites, shrinking farmlands, and worsening health. The country is calling for international support to cope with these challenges. At COP30, African civil society groups are advocating for the new global Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD) to provide grants for climate-vulnerable nations in Africa. The fund should offer assistance for both sudden and slow-onset crises, such as losses from rising seas or desertification. Africa's COP30 envoy emphasizes the need for an efficient fund that can address loss and damage on an emergency basis, criticizing the slow progress and lack of significant donations to the FRLD.

    https://www.climatechangenews.com/2025/11/10/what-do-african-countries-want-from-cop30/

  • Brazil, C40 Cities, and the Global Covenant of Mayors announce new mutirão effort to accelerate urban climate solutions in Brazil

    A new partnership supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Brazilian National Front of Mayors aims to help 50 Brazilian cities implement over 20 climate projects by 2027, focusing on sustainable transport, waste management, and climate action planning in the Amazon region. The program involves collaboration between national, state, and local governments, as well as various organizations, to ensure effective and sustainable solutions are implemented. Expected outcomes include the development of a national emissions data platform, mitigation projects, climate budgeting integration, and the promotion of multilevel coordination to accelerate climate responses in Brazil. Brazilian cities are receiving investment to enhance their resilience to climate change, with a focus on initiatives such as deploying e-buses and reducing methane emissions from waste, highlighting Brazil's leadership in implementing multilevel climate initiatives. Mayor Eduardo Paes of Rio de Janeiro emphasizes the importance of empowering cities and states to scale successful climate solutions, emphasizing the role of cities in leading climate action and building a stronger, healthier world.

    https://www.c40.org/news/brazil-c40-cities-and-the-global-covenant-of-mayors-announce-new-mutirao-effort-to-accelerate-urban-climate-solutions-in-brazil/

  • Cropped 5 November 2025: Nature finance at COP30; Storms devastate crops; Brazilian deforestation decline

    Key climate-related points from the section include Brazil's announcement of an 11% drop in deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon, Malaysia and Indonesia updating their climate targets ahead of COP30, and the failure of UN biodiversity negotiations to agree on recommendations for the next major round of discussions. Additionally, Hurricane Melissa caused damage to crops in the Caribbean, while Cyclone Montha affected the agricultural sector in India, leading to significant losses for farmers. Around 1.7 billion people worldwide are living in places where human-driven land degradation is leading to falling crop yields, posing a threat to agricultural productivity and food security. Nigeria approved a new national carbon market framework to unlock up to $3bn annually in carbon finance, reinstated funding for climate change initiatives, and committed to mainstreaming climate action into national development. American pop star Billie Eilish announced a donation of $11.5m from her upcoming tour proceeds to causes dedicated to food equity, climate justice, and reducing carbon pollution. Eel trafficking in Europe, combined with habitat loss, pollution, and the climate crisis, is driving the slippery fish towards extinction. The COP30 UN climate talks in Brazil are focusing on the Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF) as a new funding mechanism to protect tropical forests. However, concerns have been raised about the fund's design and effectiveness in preserving forests. Brazil is also pushing for increased use of sustainable fuels and the development of biodiversity offsets and carbon credit markets. Despite a deadline for new climate pledges, only a third of countries have submitted them so far. Climate finance experts are concerned that the focus on private sector involvement is weakening official funds for climate solutions at COP30. They argue that addressing root drivers of tropical forest loss, such as changing diets and shifting harmful subsidies, would unlock serious grant money for countries. New science highlights the impact of expanding irrigation on water depletion and the potential climate implications of ammonia emissions from farming. The article also includes information on greenwashing in agriculture, wildlife trafficking, rainforest threats in Nigeria, and life in Sulawesi island.

    https://www.carbonbrief.org/cropped-5-november-2025-nature-finance-at-cop30-storms-devastate-crops-brazilian-deforestation-decline/

  • Mutirão in action at C40 World Mayors Summit as cities lead the way to COP30

    City leaders from around the world are showcasing real solutions for climate action at the C40 World Mayors Summit in Rio de Janeiro ahead of COP30. The theme of the summit is "Mutirão in Motion: Cities Leading the Way to COP30" and highlights Brazil's tradition of community collaboration to build solutions. Initiatives such as the Global Methane Hub and the Urban Planning Accelerator are being launched to support cities in cutting methane emissions and integrating climate and equity into city master plans. Mayors are calling for increased funding for urban climate finance and are pushing for the 'Baku-to-Belém Roadmap to $1.3 trillion' to mobilize public and private investment in cities, states, and regions, especially in the Global South. Investment in electric bus fleets in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Mexico has surged to US$4.3 billion, with a partnership aiming to drive port decarbonization through a $1 billion Global Port Sustainability-Linked Loan initiative. Mayor Sadiq Khan emphasizes the importance of cities in addressing climate change and building a sustainable future, while Mayor Eduardo Paes highlights the role of C40 cities in reducing emissions and creating green jobs. Mark Watts, Executive Director of C40, discusses China's "irreversible" green transition and growing global ambition, with efforts in transitioning to a more sustainable economy seen as a positive development in the fight against climate change, influencing other nations to follow suit. This shift towards sustainability is crucial in addressing the climate crisis and creating a more environmentally friendly future.

    https://www.c40.org/news/mutirao-in-action-at-c40-world-mayors-summit-as-cities-lead-the-way-to-cop30/