The air in Belém is thick with more than Amazonian humidity; it’s charged with a palpable, transformative energy. As we hit the stride of COP30’s third day, something historic is taking root. This isn’t just another round of climate talks – this is a fundamental shift in who holds the floor.
For the first time, the promise of true representation is not a distant plea but a living, breathing reality. The halls and negotiation rooms are filled with the voices of Indigenous Peoples and local communities. They are not on the sidelines; they are at the heart of the action, a constant, powerful reminder that those closest to the land are the architects of its most resilient future.
This is the spirit of this Amazonian COP. It’s a spirit that echoed across the Guamá River yesterday, where over 100 boats carried 5,000 people, led by Indigenous leaders, retracing the ‘soy corridor’ with a message that rings truer than any policy draft: “The people are the answer.”
From Promise to Practice: Momentum builds inside the venue
This groundswell of inclusion is translating into tangible momentum within the negotiation halls. The initial draft of the critical Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) text is already sparking urgent calls for action. The consensus is clear: we need measurable outcomes, not more delays. The end goal must be an actionable list of indicators, forged with the traditional knowledge of local communities, that shows us how ecosystem-based approaches are building real resilience. This focus on practical, financed action is being matched by an unprecedented flurry of announcements, with Brazil firmly at the center:
- Major Financial Injections: Brazil’s BNDES unlocked a massive R$912 million from its Climate Fund, directing it towards reforesting the Amazon and Atlantic Forest.
- Valuing Ecosystem Services: A pioneering project launched by NatureFinance and the Amazon states aims to generate recurring income for communities by formally valuing the ecosystem services of protected areas.
- Private Sector Steps Up: Tencent became the first Asian corporation to join the LEAF Coalition, while a new Catalytic Capital for the Agricultural Transition (CCAT) fund, anchored by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and Norway, launched to unlock billions for sustainable soy and cattle—proving that production can expand without deforestation.
- Honoring Guardians: The Nature Conservancy Brasil announced a vital Payment for Environmental Services (PES) pilot, formally recognizing Indigenous and quilombola communities as forest guardians.
This wave of collaboration underscores a vital truth: climate action and nature finance are now inseparable.
What to watch as we head into Week Two
The foundations laid this week are setting the stage for a critical, action-oriented second act. Here’s where the focus will sharpen:
- Business moves from Pledges to Action: Tomorrow’s Business Day will dissect how companies are moving beyond targets to actually integrating nature into their supply chains. The key question is how corporate power can collaborate with local partners to scale regenerative solutions.
- The integrity of Carbon Markets takes center stage: On Friday, Carbon Markets Day will tackle the hard questions of transparency and integrity. Following early Article 6.4 discussions, the debate will focus on how to build high-integrity markets that benefit both investors and frontline communities, with another major jurisdictional REDD+ announcement expected soon.
- The People’s Summit amplifies local truths: The official opening of the People’s Summit, uniting 800+ organizations, ensures that the core themes of land rights and social justice will resonate powerfully through the final negotiations.
The Bottom Line: A COP of consequence
COP30 is proving to be different. It is messy, vibrant, and profoundly human. The familiar challenges remain, but they are being met with a new level of resolve and a more inclusive chorus of voices.
The message from Belém is clear: real climate action is not delivered to people, but forged with them. As we move into the high-stakes second week, that is the energy that must carry us forward. – Lucy Almond, Chair, Nature4Climate
Stay tuned for more updates.