Speech by President Lula at the 3rd Session of the G20 Leaders' Meeting: Energy Transition and Sustainable Development

It was in Rio de Janeiro that the three UN Framework Conventions on Climate Change, Biodiversity, and Desertification were created.

Few of us imagined that, three decades later, we would live through the hottest year in history, with increasingly intense and frequent floods, fires, droughts, and hurricanes.

The efforts made since then have helped to avoid an even worse scenario.

But we have to do more and better.

The Kyoto Protocol has become a point of reference for frustration in collective action.

COP15 in Copenhagen was a trauma that almost derailed the climate regime.

The Paris Agreement is approaching Belém after ten years, and its results are still far from what is needed.

There is no more time to waste.

The G20 is responsible for 80% of greenhouse gas emissions.

By recognizing the crucial role of the G20, the Brazilian presidency launched the Task Force for Global Mobilization against Climate Change.

For the first time, we have brought together ministers of Finance, Environment and Climate, Foreign Affairs, and Central Bank presidents to discuss how to tackle the climate challenge.

Now, alongside Secretary-General António Guterres, I call on the G20 to commit to the UN-Brazil Joint Global Mobilization to increase the level of ambition of the next round of Nationally Determined Contributions - the NDCs.

The new NDCs must be aligned to limit the global temperature increase to one and a half degrees.

Our compass remains the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. This is an imperative of climate justice.

Even if we are not moving at the same speed, we can all take another step.

I propose to the developed members of the G20 that they bring forward their climate neutrality targets from 2050 to 2040 or even 2045.

Without assuming their historical responsibilities, rich nations will have no credibility to demand ambition from others.

I call on developing countries to ensure that their NDCs cover the entire economy and all greenhouse gases.

It is essential that they consider adopting absolute targets for reducing emissions.

Brazil presented its new NDC in Baku, which covers all greenhouse gases and economic sectors.

We have taken on the ambitious absolute goal for 2035 of reducing emissions by 59 to 67% compared to 2005.

We already have one of the cleanest energy matrices in the world, with 90% of our electricity coming from renewable sources.

We are champions in biofuels and have made progress in wind and solar generation and green hydrogen.

Most of our emission reductions will result from a decrease in deforestation, which has fallen by 45% in the last two years.

We will not compromise on environmental crimes. Deforestation will be eradicated by 2030.

We want the world to recognize the role of forests and value the contribution of indigenous peoples and traditional communities.

Brazil appreciates the G20's collaboration in designing the Rainforests Forever Facility, which will pay developing countries that keep their forests standing.

We also welcome the approval of the G20 Principles on Bioeconomy, which lay the foundations for a new development model.

However, this effort will be futile if the international community does not unite to do its part.

Even if we do not cut down any more trees, the Amazon will continue to be threatened if the rest of the world does not fulfill its mission to stop global warming.

The oceans are another important climate regulator and a potential source of solutions.

They must also be a priority for our concerns.

There is no room for denialism and misinformation in the fight for survival.

Brazil will continue to work with the UN and UNESCO in the Global Initiative for the Integrity of Climate Change Information.

While we are here, our representatives are in Baku negotiating a new climate finance target.

There is no sustainable ambition without the means to implement it.

In Paris, we talked about a hundred billion dollars a year, which the developed world was unable to meet. Today, we are talking about trillions.

These trillions exist, but they are being wasted on weapons while the planet is dying.

We cannot postpone Baku's task until Belém.

COP30 will be our last chance to avoid an irreversible rupture in the climate system.

I count on everyone to make Belém the COP of change.

Ladies and gentlemen,

We need more robust climate governance.

There is no point in negotiating new commitments if we do not have an effective mechanism to accelerate the implementation of the Paris Agreement.

Brazil invites the international community to consider the creation of a Climate Change Council at the UN, which would bring together different actors, processes, and currently fragmented mechanisms.

Hope is reborn with every commitment and act of courage to defend life and preserve the conditions in which it was given to us.

Thank you very much.