Enviro News Asia, New York –– The COP30 Presidency emphasized the importance of collective effort—known in Brazil as mutirão—to advance global climate action during the opening of Climate Week in New York on September 21. The event, running until September 28, coincides with the 80th United Nations General Assembly and aims to accelerate the implementation of existing climate agreements.
COP30 President André Corrêa do Lago described the Amazon as a symbol for the upcoming conference in Belém, Brazil, scheduled for 2025. He highlighted that the region, home to 15.5 million people, offers solutions not only for forest communities but also for urban populations. Corrêa do Lago noted that regional universities had submitted proposals addressing the 30 priorities of the COP30 Action Agenda.
UNFCCC Executive Secretary Simon Stiell underscored that COP30 will mark a turning point in climate finance. He explained that the Baku–Belém roadmap sets out a pathway to mobilize $1.3 trillion for developing countries. Stiell added that while COP28 in Baku advanced commitments from $100 billion to $300 billion, Belém must drive global momentum to meet the larger financing target.
Stiell also pointed to progress since the Paris Agreement. He said that while global warming projections before 2015 indicated a potential rise of 5°C, current estimates have narrowed to around 3°C. He stressed that new Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), due by the end of September, will determine how close countries move toward the 1.5°C target. The UNFCCC will release its assessment of these commitments in October.
Corrêa do Lago emphasized that implementation cannot rest solely with national governments. He called for the engagement of local authorities, businesses, academia, and civil society. “We must restore confidence that the world is on the right track and that progress is being made,” he said.
Climate Week NYC, which runs from September 22 to 26, provides a platform for governments, businesses, and civil society to align strategies ahead of COP30. The presidency framed the mutirão approach as essential to ensure collective ownership of global climate goals. (*)
