Belém, Brazil – Greenpeace has called on world leaders meeting at the  Climate Summit in Belém to send a clear signal to delegates at COP30 that the time has come to bridge the 1.5°C ambition gap.

Carolina Pasquali, Greenpeace COP30 Head of Delegation and Executive Director, Greenpeace Brasil said: “We’re on the brink of climate tipping points and the potential loss of the Amazon, so this COP simply must deliver the urgent change needed. There’s no second chance and it starts with the leaders, who must give COP30 a clear mandate to close the 1.5°C ambition gap.” 

“Brazil invited the world to Belém, to witness the challenges and opportunities of a COP on the frontlines of climate change and forest loss. It is also where we have the solutions and the knowledge of Indigenous Peoples to change our future. Together with communities and people, we are here to ensure leaders feel the heat and pressure – symbolically and literally – in order to act now, eliminate fossil fuel use and end forest destruction. It starts here in Belém.”

In Belém at COP30, Greenpeace is calling for:[1]

  • A Global Response Plan to address the 1.5°C  ambition gap and accelerate emissions reductions in this critical decade
  • A new, dedicated 5-year Forest Action Plan to end deforestation by 2030
  • Progress on public climate finance from developed countries, including polluter-pays taxation to support mitigation, adaptation and action to address loss and damage in developing countries

Even before the Leaders Summit, however, the EU proposed to cut emissions by 90% including offsets by 2040 compared to 1990, a climate target that falls significantly short of even the minimum that the EU’s own scientific advisers have called for.[2]

Jean-François Julliard, Executive Director, Greenpeace France said: “Urgent action is needed, not ongoing talks or watered down targets. The time to ramp up action and ambition is now, and the EU needs to set the tone in Belém for COP30 to reach the outcome the world needs.”

“As historical emitters and in the Paris Agreement anniversary year, the spotlight is squarely on both France and the EU to lead from the front. Every EU leader is on notice: the 1.5°C limit is severely under threat and a potential overshoot looms. To President Macron and the EU, it’s your move next and only a global response plan will suffice.”

Shiva Gounden, Head of Pacific, Greenpeace Australia Pacific said: “As our leaders meet in Belém, we ask them not to lose sight of the 1.5°C limit. 1.5°C is not just a figure; it’s a lifeline for Pacific communities and climate-vulnerable nations facing profound threats to our livelihoods, cultures, our very existence. The legal, moral, and political responsibility for climate action has never been stronger and the ambition leaders take to Belém will define its success.” 

“Governments are on notice after the Pacific-led climate victory at the International Court of Justice that delivered a clear message: countries are legally obliged to keep the world within 1.5°C, and more legal challenges will be coming if we continue down the path of fossil fuels.[3]”

“There must be no more free passes or subsidies for the fossil fuel industry or its billionaire backers driving the climate crisis. We urge leaders to act with courage and set a new course for our planet with renewed hope, and a commitment to justice and humanity above profit.”

ENDS

Notes:

[1] Media briefing on Greenpeace’s political demands for COP30

[2] Environment ministers botch EU climate targets

[3] World’s highest court delivers historic protections for climate-impacted communities

Contacts:

Greenpeace International Press Desk, +31 (0)20 718 2470 (available 24 hours), [email protected]