Brazilian Businesses Lag in Climate Change Investment Ahead of COP-30 in Belém
Ahead of COP-30 in Belém, Brazilian companies show limited investment in climate adaptation despite mounting risks, underscoring the need for increased private sector action and financing.
- • 78% of Brazilian companies have been impacted by climate-related events such as floods and extreme temperatures.
- • Only 38% of companies conduct detailed climate risk assessments; 22% conduct none at all.
- • 40% of companies prioritize other business issues over funding climate adaptation.
- • COP-30 in Belém aims to mobilize $1.3 trillion annually for climate financing and increase private sector involvement.
Key details
As preparations accelerate for COP-30, slated to be the first Climate Conference in the Amazon and to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement, Brazilian businesses face critical challenges in climate change adaptation. According to a 2025 survey conducted by insurance broker Marsh, despite widespread recognition of climate-related risks, only 38% of Brazilian companies are investing in detailed risk assessments and preventative measures against climate change impacts, while 22% conduct no future climate risk analysis at all. The study of 130 enterprises revealed that 78% have experienced climate event impacts such as floods and heatwaves, with 74% reporting asset losses and business interruptions due to these events.
This insufficient investment is partly due to competing business priorities, with 40% of companies indicating other agendas limit their funding allocation for climate adaptation. Marsh estimates that every dollar invested in prevention could save $13 in reconstruction costs, highlighting the economic prudence of proactive engagement.
Amid these corporate challenges, the COP-30 conference in Belém is emphasizing the urgency of scaling climate financing to $1.3 trillion annually by 2035 to support global adaptation efforts. The event aims to strengthen multilateral cooperation and mobilize civil society and private sector participation to foster long-term investment frameworks. Special Envoy Marina Grossi stressed the importance of identifying key levers for decarbonization across sectors such as transportation, energy, and agriculture, alongside innovations in carbon markets and financial mechanisms.
The conference also seeks to underscore the high stakes of inaction: research from Cambridge University and Boston Consulting Group warns that failing to limit global warming to 1.5ºC could cost up to one-third of global GDP if temperatures increase by 3ºC. Considering this, the spotlight on private sector involvement in COP-30 arrives at a crucial moment to transform awareness into decisive, well-funded climate adaptation strategies, positioning Brazil as a leader in sustainable and inclusive development.