Brazil’s top climate envoy warns that global warming won't wait for peace or politics
As wars and political upheaval dominate global attention, Brazil’s lead climate diplomat says the world must stay focused on climate change or risk letting it spiral further out of control.
Louise Osborne reports for Deutsche Welle.
In short:
- Andre Correa do Lago, Brazil’s veteran climate diplomat and COP30 president, says global conflicts and economic tensions are distracting leaders from climate commitments.
- Despite hosting the summit in the Amazon, Brazil is facing scrutiny for auctioning oil rights near sensitive ecosystems, while defending the decision as a tool to fund clean energy transition.
- The U.S. government under President Trump has withdrawn from the Paris Agreement, weakening global cooperation, though many U.S. states and cities continue to follow its goals independently.
Key quote:
“Unfortunately, we are having wars, we're having very serious things happening, but in spite of that, climate change is progressing, and climate change is a bigger and bigger threat.”
— Andre Correa do Lago, president of COP30
Why this matters:
Global temperatures have now stayed above 1.5 degrees Celsius for twelve consecutive months — a marker long considered a red line for preventing widespread ecological and social disruption. Scientists warn that even temporary overshoot will fuel stronger storms, deeper droughts, and surging health risks. At the same time, oil and gas production continues to rise, especially in countries like Brazil that sit atop valuable fossil reserves. Meanwhile, diplomatic focus has shifted to wars and trade disputes, making global cooperation harder just when it’s most needed. Climate change remains a borderless threat, and delays in cutting emissions will be felt in air quality, water availability, disease patterns, and disaster intensity around the world — especially by those least equipped to adapt.
Related: World leaders stall as Cop30 looms and climate pledges remain unfinished
