COP30 in Belém: Expectations and the Power of Youth Participation
In 2025, the world will gather in Belém do Pará, at the heart of the Amazon, for COP30. This will not only be a historic moment for climate negotiations but also a profound opportunity for Brazil to showcase its leadership. With the Amazon as the stage, the world will look to us for solutions, commitments, and inspiration.
For me, as a young Brazilian who has already had the chance to participate in international negotiations (including COP27, COP28, COP29 and the World Food Forum) the road to Belém feels deeply personal. I have seen firsthand how young voices can influence the global climate agenda. And I know that COP30 must be a space where our protagonism is not only heard but truly shapes the outcomes.
Youth at the Center: The Brazilian PYCC Team
Brazilian youth have long been on the frontlines of climate action, pushing for ambition, justice, and accountability. At COP30, this leadership will be embodied by the Presiding Youth Climate Champion (PYCC) team: Marcele Oliveira, Beatriz Triani, Thalia Silva, Mikaelle Farias, and Mateus Fernandes.
Together, they represent a generation that refuses to accept climate inaction. Coming from different states, ethnicities, and cultures across Brazil, they embody the richness and diversity of our country. Their presence at COP30 is not just symbolic, it is transformative. By bringing perspectives rooted in local realities and lived experiences, they give voice to communities that are often left behind in global negotiations. And through their voices, we — Brazilian youth — remind the world of our demands, our diversity, and our determination to build a just, inclusive, and sustainable future.
As someone who has worked with youth networks and international advocacy, I recognize how challenging it is to open doors in these global spaces. The PYCC team is breaking barriers and building bridges, ensuring that Brazilian youth are not only in the room but also setting the agenda.
Brazilian Protagonism at COP30
Belém, the host city, carries enormous symbolism. Situated in the Amazon — the world’s largest tropical forest and a vital climate regulator — Belém highlights both the urgency of protecting ecosystems and the opportunity to build sustainable development models. The Amazon is not just Brazil’s; it is a planetary treasure. Hosting COP30 here makes the climate crisis more tangible: decisions made in the negotiation halls will reverberate across rivers, forests, and communities that depend on them.
In Belém, the Amazon is not only about protecting forests, but also about recognizing the people who live within and around them — traditional communities, Indigenous Peoples, and women who are leading local adaptation solutions. The climate crisis in Brazil is inseparable from social inequalities, and these communities are on the frontlines of both its impacts and its solutions.
Brazil arrives at COP30 with a unique voice. Our country has demonstrated that it can lead global discussions on conservation, mitigation, adaptation, and sustainable development. We are home to the Amazon, a hotspot for both biodiversity and climate vulnerability, and a nation where climate justice intersects with social justice every day.
Yet, leadership does not mean solving everything alone. Brazil is central to global mitigation and adaptation, but we cannot — and should not — be expected to carry the world’s burdens by ourselves.
The principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC) must guide COP30. Yes, Brazil is a key player. But effective global action depends on all nations stepping up. Developed countries, in particular, must acknowledge their historic responsibility for emissions and deliver on the long-promised climate finance.
Without adequate finance, there is no real path for developing nations to adapt to rising climate impacts or to mitigate emissions while ensuring just and equitable development. Finance is not charity; it is responsibility.
A Call to the World
As we welcome the world to Belém, Brazil will do its part — showcasing resilience, innovation, and the power of youth leadership. But let us be clear: no single COP will solve all climate challenges, and no single country can bear the weight of the crisis. COP30 is not about Brazil solving the world’s problems. It is about building collective ambition, ensuring justice, and securing commitments that reflect the urgency of our times.
As a young Brazilian woman who has dedicated her career to climate advocacy, I know what is at stake: a livable planet for all. The Amazon reminds us of what is possible — a future where nature and humanity thrive together. And the principle of CBDR-RC reminds us of what is fair: that everyone must act, but those with greater responsibility must act first and fastest.
The road to Belém is a call to action. The world is watching — and the future depends on what we choose to do together.
Lívia Chaves Marcolin is a member of the GCA CEO’s Youth Advisory Panel. She is a Brazilian lawyer and sustainability consultant with experience in climate advocacy, ESG, and international negotiations and partnerships. She has represented institutions at COP27, COP28, COP29 and the World Food Forum, and currently works as Sustainable Business Development Consultant. With a background in climate resilience research and international advocacy, Lívia works at the intersection of climate justice and sustainable development.
The ideas presented in this article aim to inspire adaptation action – they are the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Global Center on Adaptation.
