The 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference has kicked off in Brazil, but the top polluting nations are not showing up as expected.
Addressing the opening conference of thousands of delegates and diplomats, Brazilian President Lula called on the COP30 to be one of truth and prioritising science, amidst “fake news and misrepresentation”.
“They attack institutions, they attack science and universities…it's time to inflict a new defeat on the deniers," he said.
While no names were mentioned, the comments were seemingly directed at U.S. President Donald Trump, who is not in attendance.
Trump's administration has increased funding for fossil fuel industries since coming into office at the start of the year, and Trump himself recently labelled global warming as “the greatest con job ever perpetrated" during a UN address.
Approximately 50,000 people from more than 190 nations are anticipated to attend the 12-day event.
However, conspicuously absent are leaders from India and China, who, along with the U.S., make up the top 3 polluters in the world.
The States has refused to send any delegation at all, while India and China have nominated a Vice Premier and Ambassador respectively, but neither nation has sent their top leaders for the talks.
On the eve before the event kicked off, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell said that the COP30 must achieve three clearly outlined goals.
“It must send a clear signal: nations are fully on board for climate cooperation - that means agreeing strong outcomes on all the key issues. It must speed up implementation across all sectors of all economies,” he wrote on LinkedIn.
“And it must connect climate action to people’s real lives – to help spread its benefits: stronger growth, more jobs, less pollution and better health, more affordable, secure energy.”
