Concerns mount over missing national targets and summit accessibility ahead of key UN climate meeting in the Amazon

With the clock ticking toward the September 25 deadline for updated national climate commitments, Brazil is intensifying diplomatic efforts to ensure countries meet their pledges ahead of the landmark Cop30 climate summit, set to be held in Belém this November. Despite the urgency of the climate crisis, only 28 countries have submitted their updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), leaving major emitters—including China and the European Union—yet to act.

As the host nation of Cop30, Brazil is taking a proactive role to avoid a repeat of previous United Nations climate summits where lack of progress and political divisions hindered meaningful outcomes. To that end, Brazil has called for a rare high-level pre-summit meeting to be held in New York in the coming weeks, aiming to build momentum and pressure lagging nations into finalizing their climate goals.

Under the Paris Agreement, NDCs are central to global efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Each country’s commitment outlines how it plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate impacts. However, scientists and environmental advocates warn that without more ambitious targets—especially from the world’s top polluters—the 1.5°C threshold could soon become unattainable, increasing the risk of irreversible climate damage, such as rising sea levels, ecosystem collapse, and more frequent extreme weather events.

The stakes are particularly high as Cop30 will take place in the heart of the Amazon rainforest—a region critical to global climate regulation. Hosting the summit in Belém, the capital of the northern state of Pará, aligns with Brazil’s goal of putting the Amazon and Indigenous-led conservation efforts at the center of the climate conversation. However, the remote location has raised significant concerns about equity and access.

Logistical challenges have emerged as potential barriers for smaller nations and civil society organizations. With limited accommodations in Belém and prices for lodging and travel soaring, there are growing fears that the summit may become inaccessible for delegates from less wealthy countries and grassroots activists. Critics warn that if participation is limited to wealthier nations and organizations, the legitimacy of the negotiations could be compromised.

“Climate diplomacy cannot afford to become an exclusive affair,” said one observer from a South American environmental NGO. “The people most affected by the climate crisis must be present at the table—not priced out of the room.”

Adding to the pressure is a complicated political backdrop. The United States, one of the world’s largest emitters, is currently outside the Paris Agreement framework, creating uncertainty about its role in this year’s climate talks. This absence adds weight to Brazil’s calls for other major players to step up and demonstrate leadership.

In recent years, Brazil has positioned itself as a global climate leader, particularly under its current administration, which has pledged to halt illegal deforestation in the Amazon and invest in renewable energy. Hosting Cop30 in Belém is both a symbolic and strategic move—bringing the world’s attention to one of the most biodiverse and climate-sensitive regions on Earth.

Yet, symbolism alone will not be enough. With less than a month until the submission deadline, global momentum remains worryingly slow. Experts fear that if countries do not present enhanced and actionable NDCs in time, Cop30 could fall short of expectations at a critical moment in the global climate timeline.

In the lead-up to November’s summit, Brazil’s strategy appears focused on rallying both political will and logistical support to ensure that Cop30 delivers on its promises—not only in terms of new commitments, but in ensuring that all voices, especially those from vulnerable and marginalized communities, are heard.

As one Brazilian diplomat noted, “We cannot afford another missed opportunity. The world is watching, and the Amazon is calling.”