Christian leaders are set to gather in a ‘People’s Summit’, in parallel to the UN’s COP30 gathering in Brazil next week.
This year’s Conference of the Parties, which centres around the UN’s climate goals, is being dubbed ‘the People’s COP’. The faith leader’s gathering will run at the same time, also in Brazil.
The Anglican Primate of Brazil and Bishop of the Amazon, Most Revd Marinez Bassotto and will host a ‘Tapiri’ (meaning gathering) at the Catedral Anglicana de Santa Maria. She will be joined by fellow faith leaders to focus on the voice of indigenous people when it comes to climate preservation.
“Their voices need to be at the centre of discussions,” she said, “because they are the ones who hold the ancestral and practical knowledge necessary for preservation.
“Climate justice will only be achieved when the territorial and cultural rights of these communities are fully recognised and respected. We want their voices to influence the negotiations… [to ensure] that the commitments made at the Summit are translated into concrete, effective and fair action.”
This year’s summit marks five years before 2030, the initial goal set for a 45 per cent reduction in global emissions by the UN.
Archbishop Marinez hopes that the location of this year’s gathering, being near the Amazon rainforest, signals an intent to take climate goals more seriously.
She said: "For at least the past three years, we have been experiencing an extreme drought, with the region's rivers dropping by as much as 30 metres, which is terrible… Our hope is that [indigenous Amazonian] will not only be heard in the side events around the COP - but be at the centre of the discussions and negotiations.”