Private sector steps in as politics falters
Brazil’s Belém has begun hosting a three-week run of events leading up to COP30, signaling both ambition and fatigue in the world’s climate agenda. The initiative gathers business coalitions representing nearly 100,000 companies that jointly urged governments to scale renewable investment and adaptation funding, warning that “time for incrementalism has run out.” The call comes as global focus splinters—trade tensions, wars, and election cycles have diluted attention on climate policy.
In São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, regional governments are aligning local climate plans with national targets. Yet analysts note fewer high-level registrations and subdued media presence compared with previous COP build-ups. Organizers admit momentum feels thinner, but hope Belém will “reset urgency” ahead of the main summit next month.

Renewed momentum or warning sign
Observers see Brazil’s effort as a stress test for global climate diplomacy: can sub-national actors and corporations sustain pressure when top-level politics lags? Some delegates frame this pre-COP as a bridge—keeping networks alive until leadership realigns. With President Lula expected to headline the opening COP30 plenary, expectations rest on whether Brazil can turn goodwill into measurable policy outcomes across deforestation, energy, and finance. For many, Belém 2025 may define whether the Paris momentum survives another distracted decade.