Indigenous leaders attend the opening of COP30 Climate Summit with an uncertain outcome

It was not clear what the 190+ countries attending the COP30 would be discussing during the two week U.N. Summit in Brazil's Amazonian city of Belem.

It's also unclear how they will handle controversial issues such as the 2023 pledge to stop using polluting sources of energy and their demand for funding to achieve this. The biggest question was whether or not countries would want to reach a final deal, which is difficult to do in an era of global politics that has been fractious and the U.S.'s efforts to block a move away from fossil-fuels.

After years of COP summits where lofty promises were made but many were not fulfilled, some countries including Brazil suggested that smaller efforts be undertaken that do not require consensus.

In an interview with other media, COP30 president Andre Correa do Lago stated that he preferred not to require a COP resolution. "If there is a strong desire from countries to have a COP resolution, we'll certainly consider it and take action."

Do Lago noted that China has become more important in the discussions, given the fact that the United States is threatening to withdraw from the Paris Agreement by January and Europe struggles to maintain their ambitions amid concerns over energy security.

"Emerging nations are playing a different part in this COP." China has solutions for everyone," said do Lago, noting that China's green technologies were now driving the global energy transition.

He said, "You complain that China is spreading the GDP around the globe." "But that is great for the climate."

Indigenous leaders will join the countries, after arriving Sunday evening on a boat, having traveled 3,000 km (1.864 miles) between the Andes and the Brazilian coast. They want more control over how their territory is managed, as climate change increases and industries like mining, logging, and oil drilling continue to push further into forests.

"We don't want them to keep making promises, we want them to start protecting because it is us, the Indigenous people, who are suffering from the impacts of climate changes," said Pablo Inuma Flores. He also lamented the oil spills along the river and the illegal mining that he claims are taking place.

Scientists from dozens of science institutions and universities, from Japan to South Africa, Britain and elsewhere, raised the alarm hours before the summit began about the thawing of glaciers and ice sheets around the world.

In a letter sent to COP30 on Monday, the groups stated that "the cryosphere destabilizes at an alarming rate." "Geopolitical conflicts or short-term interests of national governments must not be allowed to overshadow the COP30. Climate change is our greatest security and stability threat.

AGENDA REFERENDA

The first order of business for COP30 is to vote on the agenda. Do Lago stated that countries have been debating what to include for months, which he described as an exchange of priorities.

Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva is hoping that countries will set up a plan to quit fossil fuels.

How are we going about it? Will there be a consensus on how to proceed? "This is one of the greatest mysteries of COP30", do Lago said.

The agenda could also include how to reduce emissions even further as current plans fall short of the necessary level for limiting extreme warming. On Monday morning, 106 countries had submitted their new climate plans.

Sources familiarized with the discussions said that more plans would be offered this week, including South Korea.

This year's delegates have a unique focus on agriculture emissions. The topic is often pushed to the back of the agenda due to the difficulties in addressing farming and livestock practices that are central to food security and livelihoods for many countries.

Do Lago stated that "there is a move" among developing countries to promote solutions and technologies which can make farming more effective and less polluting.

The countries also hope to set financial and action goals for adapting the world to a warmer climate. They are hoping that the development banks will undergo reforms to make sure more money, including private sector money, is allocated to these goals.

(source: Reuters)