[ad_1]
The biggest climate meeting of the year is taking place this month, with world leaders and scientists from more than 190 countries invited to the Brazilian city of Belem.
COP30, which will run from 10-21 November, is coming at a particularly precarious time for climate action.
The conference itself has also faced controversy over its location in the Brazilian city, which sits on the outskirts of the Amazon rainforest.
Here’s everything you need to know about COP30 – from why it’s proving controversial, to who’s attending and what will be on the agenda.
What is COP?
The annual United Nations conference brings together world leaders, scientists, campaigners, and negotiators from across the globe, who agree on collective next steps for tackling climate change.
COP stands for “conference of the parties”, with parties being countries that have signed up to the original UN climate treaty (UNFCCC) in 1992 to avoid “dangerous interference” with the climate.
Why is Belem a questionable choice for COP30?
The Amazon rainforest and the city of Belem. Pic: Reuters
As the largest tropical forest in the world, the Amazon soaks up masses of planet-warming greenhouse gases, making it crucial in the fight against climate change.
Hosting COP there is a strategic move that Brazil hopes will highlight the importance of protecting this ecosystem.
But the rainforest city of Belem is impoverished and rife with inequality, with most of its 2.5 million residents living in slums.
Pilgrims walking through the streets of Belem during one of the country’s largest religious festivals, Cirio de Nazare. Pic: Reuters
Questions have been raised about its viability…
[ad_2]
