The Latest Breaking News from Belém

Far beyond the climate crisis: COP30 must seek to build a new model of civilisation

Since 6 November 2025, Belém has become the centre of attention for the entire planet for two weeks. COP 30 is bringing together a record number of delegations, dozens of heads of state and intense public participation. President Lula transferred the government to the capital of Pará, symbolising Brazil’s commitment…

The Conversation · Nov 18, 2025

Fact check: Did Brazil chop down 100,000 trees for COP30?

As European leaders take part in COP30, claims that the controversial Avenida Liberdade — a four-lane 13km highway which cuts across the Amazon — was constructed specifically for the climate summit have spread online.

Euronews · Nov 17, 2025

Indigenous voices at COP30: The Amazon speaks – will the world listen?

For the first time in the history of UN climate conferences, COP30 will take place in a rainforest. President Lula da Silva has described this symbolic venue as a clear political message: the world should listen to the Amazon and its people. His Minister of the Environment, Marina Silva, adds…

The Conversation · Nov 17, 2025

Major US broadcasters sit out Cop30 climate talks: ‘They’re missing a lot’

Figures show none of US ‘big four’ – CBS, NBC, ABC and Fox – appear to have sent teams to cover summit in Belém

The Guardian - US · Nov 13, 2025

COP30: Governments must empower forest communities to keep fossil fuels underground

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has dubbed COP30 the forest COP. Taking place in Belém, a large urban centre in the Amazon, this choice signals a welcome shift from the capital cities of petro-states to the heart of the world’s most bio-diverse rainforest.

The Conversation · Nov 13, 2025

How soil could help us reach climate targets

The UN climate summit, Cop30, is currently taking place in Belém, Brazil, a region with some of the most carbon-dense soils on Earth: the Amazonian dark earths. These deep, dark and exceptionally fertile soils are thought to have been intentionally enriched with carbon.

The Conversation · Nov 13, 2025

Despite America’s absence, Trump’s influence looms large over Cop30

Fear of retribution from the unpredictable president has left negotiators in Belém feeling nervous and vulnerable

The Guardian - UK · Nov 13, 2025

Cop can be torturous and tedious – but here’s why it’s worth paying attention

In this week’s newsletter: Critics have yet come up with an alternative that would truly bring all countries together to work to solve the climate crisis

The Guardian - UK · Nov 12, 2025

The UN climate talks have become too big for their own good

If you’re still heading to this year’s UN climate conference in Belém, Brazil, I hope you booked early. Hotels long sold out, and latecomers face extortionate rates – or the prospect of a dubious “love hotel”.

The Conversation · Nov 11, 2025

COP30: Brazil promotes largest Indigenous participation in history of the conference

Brazil invested in a number of initiatives and programmes to strengthen the representation of Indigenous peoples. Around 3,000 Indigenous people are expected to attend the 12-day summit in Brazil’s Amazon city of Belém.

Euronews · Nov 11, 2025