Brazil is facing criticism over large-scale deforestation in the Amazon rainforest to build a highway for the upcoming COP30 (Conference of Parties) climate summit. This has not only raised questions about the country’s commitment to environmental conservation but also shows how hollow countries take climate change issues.
According to media reports, the road, designed to accommodate tens of thousands of delegates attending the UN climate conference in November, has sparked accusations of hypocrisy. Notably, Brazil is going to host COP30 this year.
The Amazon rainforest, often referred to as the “lungs of the Earth,” plays a crucial role in absorbing carbon and maintaining global biodiversity. However, locals have expressed concerns that the new road is destroying their livelihoods, while conservationists warn it could severely impact wildlife movement.
The four-lane highway is expected to ease traffic congestion in the host city, which will welcome over 50,000 attendees, including world leaders. Along the partially built road, lush rainforest towers on either side – a reminder of what was once there. Logs are piled high in the cleared land, which stretches more than 13km (8 miles) and goes through the rainforest into Belém.
While the state government has promoted the project’s “sustainable“ credentials, environmentalists argue that clearing vast sections of the rainforest contradicts the very essence of a climate-focused summit.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Environment Minister Marina Silva have defended the initiative, emphasizing that this summit is historic because it is “a COP in the Amazon, not just about the Amazon.”
The President stated that the conference would highlight the region’s needs, offer a global perspective on the rainforest’s significance, and showcase the federal government’s efforts in protecting it.
Brazil prepares for the COP30
Among Brazil’s key priorities for the Conference, COP 30 President-designate André Aranha Corrêa do Lago highlighted the defence of multilateralism and respect for science. Underscoring the UNFCCC’s role in inaugurating multilateral climate governance, he identified cooperation among peoples for the progress of humanity as its guiding principle and called for deep, rapid, and sustained cooperation of all countries.
The document highlighted that urgent global action is needed against climate change. Brazil aims to leverage COP30 as a turning point by driving ambitious climate leadership under the Paris Agreement framework. Key focuses include implementing the Global Stocktake (GST), addressing the Just Transition Work Program (JTWP), and fostering the integration of cross-cutting agendas like biodiversity and sustainable development. The presidency committed to initiatives like the US$ 1.3 trillion Road Map and a Global Ethical Stocktake to engage diverse stakeholders for inclusive climate solutions. The 11-page document also warns of abrupt climate shocks if action is delayed and calls for global cooperation.
The document outlines the path forward, urging countries to choose resilience and decisive action over catastrophe, cynicism, and denial. “As the nation of football, Brazil believes we can win by ‘virada‘. This means fighting back to turn the game around when defeat seems almost certain,“ it states.
As preparations for COP30 continue, the controversy surrounding the road’s impact on the Amazon adds another layer of complexity to the global climate discourse.
What is COP?
The Conference of Parties (COP) is the main decision-making body of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It brings together countries to discuss and negotiate global climate actions. COP meetings are held annually to assess progress in tackling climate change.
COP30 is going to take place in Belém, Brazil, in 2025 It will focus on implementing global climate commitments, including reducing carbon emissions, protecting forests, and supporting vulnerable nations. As Brazil hosts this event, the Amazon rainforest’s role in fighting climate change will be a key discussion point. COP30 aims to strengthen global cooperation for a sustainable future.