COP30, by Curt Bergsten, 07-11-25
Belém, in the heart of the Brazilian Amazon, serves as the setting for a summit surrounded by environmental urgency… and political disinterest, this year, with a sharp drop in the presence of world leaders.
I have now followed the COP conferences for over 10 years and unfortunately with decreasing interest. The idea from the beginning was to reduce toxic emissions and generally improve the environmental issue globally. This has failed so far and only huge funds have been formed that are distributed to certain developing countries that are run by dictatorships or military powers. Personally, I do not see COP30 in Brazil changing the course of events after studying the upcoming program. A large number of important leaders from major countries are not participating this time, which means that the decisions made, will have less significance.
The list of participants decisionmakers will be relatively small. Brazil has confirmed 57 heads of state and government, with representation from 143 countries, including Spain, who represent the intervention between the different events of nearly 60,000 people. Being relevant figures, they are lower than those of recent years, continuing the downward trend in terms of the convening power of the COPs that was already seen in the 2024 COP in Baku (Azerbaijan).
What’s sad about this gathering is that it will once again be about adding billions more to funds to help the environment. We cannot buy environmental destruction, even the Swedish king asked at the opening of COP30, “How much additional money must be invested in this”?
I have been looking forward to a rapprochement with the world’s difficult water supplies, as the #WaterPositiv organization has invested large resources in being heard this time. But if it is only discussed that the “rescue funds# must be increased again, then I think the water problem will become less important, unfortunately!
What is contradictory to the environment is that a guaranteed number of 60,000 participants, as well as the other 20,000 journalists and news monitors, travel from all over the world by using large amount of jet fuel. Wouldn’t it be the rights time to organize an online meeting instead, to show interest in preserving the environment?
I will report back when there are results from the first days of meetings.
Thanks for reading my post,
#Windmush / #curtbergsten
