Climate summit in Belém: New hopes for forests and climate goals!

Climate summit in Belém: New hopes for forests and climate goals!

On November 7, 2025, the 30th World Climate Conference, also known as COP30, begins in Belém, Brazil, the gateway to the Amazon region. In the midst of a geopolitically tense time, representatives from all over the world are meeting to hold crucial discussions about climate protection. Since the first summit in Berlin in 1995, the COP has grown significantly in importance and is celebrated as a platform for international cooperation. But what can we expect from this event?

A central theme of the conference is financing climate adaptation, accompanied by the urgent protection of tropical forests. Brazil is introducing the Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF) initiative, a proposal to support and long-term conservation of tropical forests. This should serve as a global, permanent financing model and raise around 125 billion US dollars in capital. Over 140 countries had already committed to ending deforestation by 2030 at COP 26 in Glasgow, but current deforestation rates show that this goal is at risk Plant for the Planet informed.

Focus on financing models

The TFFF is intended to provide incentives for countries that reduce or keep deforestation rates stable. Countries could receive annual payments of $4 per hectare, but the funds are conditional: deforestation will see a reduction of $400 to $800 per hectare, and degraded land will see a deduction of $100 per hectare. With a huge prospect of successful funding, these measures could support many indigenous and local communities, as the fund plans to direct at least a fifth of the resources there.

But despite the hope for progress, Friedrich Bohn, a forest ecologist, warns against expectations being too high: “Money alone will not stop deforestation,” he emphasizes. Many critical voices, such as Niklas Höhne from the NewClimate Institute, view the EU's new climate targets for 2035 and 2040, which provide for a 90% reduction in emissions compared to 1990, as a step backwards in climate policy. At a time when international geopolitical alliances are becoming increasingly important, the question remains whether the TFFF can actually be seen as a turning point in climate protection policy MDR highlights.

The path to climate protection

It is clear that relevant progress in climate protection takes time; Visible successes will often only be seen years later. The role of geopolitics, the US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and international conflicts make negotiations even more difficult. Current financing for climate adaptation falls short of global goals. According to a UN report, developing countries need up to $365 billion annually, while international adaptation financing was just $26 billion in 2023.

The COP30 in Belém represents a further step in the challenge of climate change. Experts agree: It is an opportunity to shift the focus from fossil issues to a stronger focus on nature and ecosystem protection. The urgency is palpable; Tipping points occur earlier than expected. We can only hope that the participants in Belém not only take home good intentions, but also concrete solutions for a sustainable path into the future.