Daily highlights from COP30 - Day 1

Richard Solly, Campaigns and Advocacy Adviser of Jesuit Missions writes: At the Opening Ceremony, COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev of Azerbaijan handed over to COP30 President André Corrêa do Lago. Babayev spoke of the finance deal made last year at COP29, which he said was inadequate but nonetheless a deal. Developing nations accepted a lower finance goal than they wanted so there is no excuse now if developed countries do not donate the full amount. The African Group of Negotiators reiterated the demand for grants not loans so as not to increase indebtedness.

In the face of tensions over finance and phasing out fossil fuels, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary, Simon Stiell, called on delegates not to fight each other but to unite to fight climate change. The rate of increase of greenhouse gas emissions has reduced because of governments legislating and markets responding, he said, but there is much left to do to reach the 1.5 degree maximum heating goal. Brazil wants delivery of existing commitments rather than a new deal.

Brazil has also promised that at these COP talks there will be the largest ever Indigenous presence. Indigenous leaders demanded recognition of their land rights as a key tool in protecting ecosystems and fighting climate change.

Daily Reels

Daniela Alba from the Social Justice and Ecology Secretariat (SJES) introduces the testimonies of Beatriz Silva (Youth Educational Initiative - Fe y Alegría Brazil), Imelda Soidi (Dusun - Malaysia) and Eneriza Menaling (Pulangiyên - Philippines), both from the ESSC - Institute of Environmental Science for Social Change and the River above Asia Oceania Ecclesial Network (RAOEN) - Climate Champions filled with hope and determination. More than a summit, it's a movement to listen to Indigenous voices - true guardians of our planet. See: www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mPNX3Ng3_w

Filipe Martins, SJ, European Secretary for Social Justice and Ecology writes: After months of preparation for this campaign, it feels thrilling to be finally in Belém and start this COP30. As President Lula said during the opening ceremony, "here you'll experience the wonderful hospitality of the Brazilian people". And he's right, as everybody in the COP premises and all over the city is often smiling and eager to help.

As for the other speakers, they referred to the challenges that lie ahead: André Correa do Lago, COP30 president, said that "this will be the COP of implementation and truth", and stressed the urgency of it; Simon Stiell, president of UNFCCC, used the beautiful metaphor of the Amazon, "not just a river but a complex system of more than 1000 streams", to highlight the importance of multilateralism and of "working together"; and Mukhtar Babayev, President of the previous COP in Baku, recalled the centrality of adequate climate finance, as the necessary changes will not come without a cost.

In short: vibrant as it might have been, this first day didn't allow anyone to forget the challenging work in the upcoming two weeks. It started well, but only the next days will tell if and how we're able to move from words to action.

LINKS

Daily prayers: www.ecojesuit.com/prayer-guide-for-the-campaign-jcjc-cop30/

Eco Jesuits: www.ecojesuit.com