"COP30 will be our last chance to avoid an irreversible rupture in the climate system," calls Lula at the final thematic session of the G20 Brasil Leaders' Summit

President Lula's speech this morning, November 19, in which he leads the G20 discussions in Rio de Janeiro, emphasized demands on wealthy nations, proposed the creation of a UN Climate Change Council, and acknowledged the contributions of indigenous peoples and traditional communities. The Leaders' Declaration was approved yesterday, November 18, covering the topics the meeting's representative presented.

By Franciéli Barcellos/Site G20 Brasil

On the morning of Tuesday, November 19, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President Brasil and chair of the largest economic cooperation forum in the world, held his final speech at the Summit concerning the work priorities of the member countries for this year. After discussing social inclusion, combating hunger and poverty, and reforming global governance institutions on November 18, today’s session addressed sustainable development, energy transitions, and climate action.

Key highlights from his speech included calls for greater accountability from developed nations, recognition of the essential role of indigenous and traditional communities in forest conservation, and a bold proposal for a Climate Change Council at the United Nations to integrate currently fragmented efforts.

"Our guiding principle remains the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. This is essencial for climate justice. Even if we move at different paces, we can all take steps forward. To the developed members of the G20, I propose advancing their climate neutrality targets from 2050 to 2040 or even 2045. Without assuming their historical responsibilities, rich nations will not have the credibility to demand ambition from others," said the president, aligning with the Brazilian presidency's stance throughout the year, emphasizing the North's commitment to the Global South. 

During his speech, the president invited everyone to make the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference the "turnaround COP" next year. "We cannot postpone to Belém the task of Baku. "COP30 will be our last chance to avoid an irreversible rupture in the climate system," he emphasized.

Lula also said that the country will continue to work with the UN and UNESCO on the Global Initiative for Climate Change Information Integrity. This afternoon, the Brazilian government and international bodies launch the Initiative, with a press conference scheduled for 1:30 pm (Brasília time) in Briefing Room 1 (G20 Summit area).

In the Declaration, there is a commitment to urgent actions

In the G20 Brasil Leaders' Declaration approved and released on November 18, important advances on the subject were highlighted based on the understanding of the urgency of global mobilization against climate change and its impacts. Among the commitments made are accelerating reforms in the international financial architecture to support sustainable development and ensuring a clean, sustainable, just, accessible, and inclusive energy transition. The focus remains on low-income populations and vulnerable groups, taking into account different national circumstances. 

Furthermore, two other significant milestones include the recognition of indigenous peoples in forest-related matters and acknowledging the funding disparities for energy transitions between developed and developing countries. The signatory countries promise in the document to facilitate financing for developing nations pursuing low-carbon economies. 

Other key highlights of the Declaration include social inclusion, the fight against hunger and poverty, the launch of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, support for progressive taxation, and a commitment to appropriately tax billionaires. Also, for the first time in the forum's history, the group commits to mobilizing resources for basic sanitation and access to drinking water and addresses racism and the promotion of racial equality in the context of combating inequalities.

*Translated by PGET-UFSC