As the UN Climate Summit continues into its second week, the only publicly-owned US broadcaster delivers an essential briefing.
It’s been another COP marred by controversy, but with the potential to deliver genuinely meaningful change and progress. Notably, this could also be the last chance to pull the emergency brake on a number of factors contributing to environmental and ecological decline this decade.
Since COP30 opened in Belem, Brazil, we’ve seen Indigenous groups from Amazon regions and beyond demand justice and recognition of their right to live without interference from big business.
Not least the kind of fossil fuel giants eyeing up the country’s vast untapped oil reserves now the government has approved new exploration contracts, which could have a devastating impact on nature, greenhouse gas emissions, water and air quality.
Brazil has responded with the creation of 10 new Indigenous territories, technically offering protection for land and people, adding to 11 areas recognised last year. However, it remains to be seen how much these laws are – and can be – enforced, with illegal hunting, logging and mining rife even across remote and difficult-to-reach regions.
According to Responsible Investor, ‘adaptation and biodiversity dominate the agenda at a surprisingly well-attended and upbeat climate conference’ , which has defied a predicted low turnout. Sources of institutional capital have been far outnumbered by governmental delegates, leaders, activists, though, emphasising the ongoing challenge of securing funds to match ambition.
Nevertheless, a new ‘playbook to mobilise private capital for nature’ has been presented through a partnership between Just Climate and Green Climate Fund. Other examples of successful investor engagement include the Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF), one of COP30’s flagship proposals, and the Inter-American Development Bank’s Reinvest+ programme.
Less positive are reports that more than 300 lobbyists from big agriculture have been at the summit – no doubt a reaction to the focus on biodiversity and the protection and rehabilitation of land and sea wildernesses. Given the devastating effect of large scale industrial farming on nature, not least in Brazil itself, this is particularly galling.
This, of course, barely scratches the surface. Which is why a summary briefing from PBS News Hour – ranked as the most objective US news show – is particularly useful. Hit play on the video to get a better understanding of everything that has happened up to the summit’s halfway point.
Image: Matheus Câmara da Silva / Unsplash
More EJTV:
Turtle sculptures appear across Central London raising awareness for marine life