Brazil Leads at COP30 with Pioneering Climate Governance, Health Adaptation, and Information Integrity Initiatives
At COP30 in Belém, Brazil showcased leadership in climate action by launching integrated governance frameworks, a pioneering health adaptation plan, and a global initiative to combat climate disinformation.
- • Brazil launched the Multilevel Governance Acceleration Plan (PAS) to integrate climate policies across government levels.
- • Brazil unveiled the first international climate adaptation plan focused on health systems and vulnerable populations.
- • The Global Initiative for Information Integrity on Climate Change was launched to combat disinformation and promote science-based discourse.
- • Brazil seeks $350 million from the New Development Bank to build resilient hospitals as part of health adaptation.
Key details
At the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil demonstrated comprehensive leadership in advancing climate governance, health adaptation, and combating climate disinformation. Coordinated primarily by Brazil's Ministry of Cities and Ministry of Environment and Climate Change alongside partners such as UN-Habitat, Brazil launched the Multilevel Governance Acceleration Plan (PAS), a key initiative designed to integrate climate policies across all levels of government. PAS aims to incorporate 120 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) into multilevel governance mechanisms by 2030 and provide training to 6,000 public managers by 2028. Minister Jader Filho stressed the critical need to engage subnational leaders, stating, "If we do not involve subnational leaders, it will be impossible to achieve emission reduction targets." The plan supports Brazil's co-leadership of the Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnerships (CHAMP) alongside Germany through 2027 and highlights sustainable, accessible urban housing through the Belém Call to Action.
Brazil also inaugurated the first international climate adaptation plan specifically aimed at health systems, developed in collaboration with the UK, Egypt, Azerbaijan, and the UAE. Launched on the health thematic day of COP30, the plan focuses on preparing health systems for extreme weather challenges that are exacerbated by climate change, with particular attention to vulnerable populations. It comprises three main action lines: monitoring health data related to temperature changes, building resilient health infrastructure, and prioritizing vulnerable groups’ health. Brazil is securing international financing, including $350 million from the New Development Bank, to build resilient hospitals. The plan’s implementation is already underway in places like Rio Bonito do Iguaçu, Paraná, rebuilding health services after tornado devastation.
In addition to health and governance, Brazil spearheaded the Global Initiative for Information Integrity on Climate Change to counter climate disinformation and promote evidence-based dialogue. This coalition, supported by 11 countries, including France, Canada, and Germany, was launched at COP30 with commitments to protect freedom of expression and enhance collaboration on information integrity. João Brant from the Brazilian Presidency’s Social Communication Secretariat emphasized this initiative's role in elevating information integrity as central to climate cooperation, with dedicated COP programming and funding mechanisms for projects to ensure reliable public climate discourse.
Together, these initiatives reflect Brazil’s integrated and multifaceted approach to climate leadership highlighted at COP30, addressing governance, health resilience, and information challenges to strengthen global climate action collaboration.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.