Welcome to the jungle: Africa prepares for COP30 in the Amazon
New strategies for rainforest preservation will be central at the UN climate conference in Belém, alongside ongoing debates on climate finance. Scheduled from 10 to 21 November, this COP will differ from recent summits held in glamorous locations like Dubai and Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.
Brazil chose Belém, located on the edge of the Amazon rainforest, as the venue to emphasize the urgent need for rainforest conservation in combating climate change. This topic holds great significance for Africa as well.
Significance of Rainforests for Climate
The Amazon is one of the world’s "green lungs," but Africa's Congo Basin rainforest plays an even more critical role. It serves as a more effective carbon sink than the Amazon, absorbing more carbon from the atmosphere than any other land-based ecosystem.
Brazil and Africa Cooperation
Aiming to build support for its rainforest conservation plans, Brazil has strengthened its ties with African nations. At the Africa Climate Summit in Addis Ababa last month, COP30 president André Corrêa do Lago stated:
“I am sure that all the things that unite Brazil and the African continent will be very clear at COP30.”
Global Tropical Forest Loss
Tropical forests worldwide are disappearing at an alarming rate equivalent to 18 soccer fields every minute. Last year, both DR Congo and Congo-Brazzaville experienced record levels of forest loss.
Author's Summary
This COP30 highlights the crucial link between Amazon and Congo rainforests in climate efforts, reinforcing cooperation between Brazil and Africa amid increasing tropical deforestation.