Brazil's chief negotiator at COP28 shows optimism at the UN Conference in Dubai

A loss and damage fund approved at the beginning of COP28 in Dubai. President Lula's presence and protagonism in the discussions—and a sense of urgency that increasingly takes over governments, investors, companies and all entities involved all lead ambassador André Corrêa do Lago to feel optimistic about the results of the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) in the United Arab Emirates.

You cannot imagine—from any direction, from a developed country, from a developing country, from small islands—how intense are the desire and conviction that President Lula has a unique role to play, also through this sequence in which we are going to preside over the G20, then over the BRICS, and then at COP30”

André Corrêa do Lago, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Secretary for Climate, Energy and Environment

Secretary for Climate, Energy and Environment at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and chief negotiator of the Brazilian delegation at COP28, the ambassador highlighted the three main topics addressed so far in the world's largest climate event.

“First there was the approval, on the first day, of the loss and damage fund—which was a very impressive thing, showing that in two years something important was done,” said André Corrêa do Lago.

Initially announced at US$420 million, the loss and damage fund—focused on supporting the world's poorest countries in adapting to climate change—was given contributions over the following days and, according to the numbers released by COP28, by Monday, December 4, had already amassed US$720 million.

“The second, naturally, was the presence of President Lula,” continued the ambassador, referring to the Brazilian leader's intense agenda at COP28 during two days of engagements in Dubai, last Friday (1) and Saturday (2). Lula spoke on several occasions, such as at the Opening Session of the Presidency of COP28, and held several bilateral meetings with heads of state and other important stakeholders at the event.

“You cannot imagine—from any direction, from a developed country, from a developing country, from small islands—how intense are the desire and conviction that President Lula has a unique role to play, also through this sequence in which we are going to preside over the G20, then over the BRICS, and then at COP30”

To Lago, Lula's aggregating style makes it easier for him to take on this leading role in discussions regarding climate change. “There is an immense expectation that President Lula's leadership will encourage dialogue. President Lula's leadership doesn't push people away: he makes people come together,” pointed out the ambassador.

On Tuesday (5) Lago took part in a press conference with Brazilian and foreign journalists alongside the Minister of Indigenous Peoples Sônia Guajajara, and the Executive Secretary of the Ministry of the Environment João Paulo Capobianco. At COP28, today, December 5, was dedicated to indigenous peoples.

URGENCY – To André Corrêa do Lago, an increasing sense of urgency concerning climate change is taking over the international community. The ambassador considers this essential to making COP discussions and agreements become effective action.

According to Lago, it is clear that the world is approaching a 1.5°C increase in global temperatures. Experts consider this to be the threshold to avoid a global catastrophe.

“I think there is a very strong change in the perception of urgency—and that's good news, because it gives a very different impetus to action. The latest report from the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, released by the UN) had an immense impact. The awareness that we are so close to 1.5 and at the same time that we cannot exceed 1.5 is extremely strong here—and Brazil has insisted on this at all times,” highlighted the Brazilian secretary.

GENERAL REVIEW – André Corrêa do Lago hopes that, at the end of COP28, the GST (Global Stocktake) will be presented robustly to guide the next steps. Created by the UN as a transparency mechanism to assess and monitor progress towards the goals established by the Paris Agreement, the GST considers socioeconomic efforts to deal with environmental impacts and reduce damage associated with climate change in almost 200 member-countries.

It is the first assessment of the results of efforts to combat climate change in the almost 200 member countries of the Convention.

“If we have an ambitious, precise and objective general assessment of the Paris Agreement, we will be able to have a much better-oriented discussion on the issue of funding next year,” said the ambassador.

Lago is emphatic in stressing that, without efficient funding, it will be very hard for dozens of nations to adapt to the necessary transition and thus contribute to limiting the increase in global temperature to 1.5°C.

“Without funding, one can’t ask developing countries to transition, because all their agendas are accumulated and worsened by climate change. See how much this year's climate tragedies will cost Brazil. So, we have to hope that we have a good result at this COP,” he concluded. 

US$ 57 BILLION – According to the most recent data released by COP28 organizers, the first four days of the UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai have resulted in over US$ 57 billion in investments for the climate agenda by stakeholders involved in the event. 

This sum, according to COP28, is divided as follows:

Loss and Damage Fund: US$725 million

Green Climate Fund: US$3.5 billion

Renewable Energy: US$ 2.5 billion

Technology: US$568 million

Methane: US$ 1.2 billion

Climate Funding: more than US$30 billion from the UAE (plus US$200 million in Special Drawing Rights and an annual increase of US$9 billion from the World Bank)

Food: US$ 2.6 billion

Nature: US$ 2.6 billion

Health: US$ 2.7 billion

Water: US$ 150 million

Relief, Recovery and Peace: US$1.2 billion

Local Climate Action: US$467 million