The global fight against climate change is facing a serious political rift, as the leaders of the world’s top three polluters—China, the US, and India—skipped a key preliminary gathering in Brazil. This “reduced participation” highlights a fractured global community, even as the climate crisis intensifies.
The absences provided a stark backdrop for a furious speech from UN Secretary-General António Guterres. He blasted world powers, claiming they “remain captive to the fossil fuel interests, rather than protecting the public interest,” and warned of “moral failure” if the 1.5-degree warming limit is breached.
The summit, held in the Amazonian city of Belem, is hosted by Brazil’s President Lula da Silva, who is pushing for a major new solution. His “Tropical Forests Forever Facility” aims to pay 74 developing nations to halt deforestation, financed by loans.
Lula’s plan is an attempt to change the economic calculation, making preservation more lucrative than destruction. It has already gained $5.5 billion in pledges, including $3 billion from Norway, and dedicates 20 percent of its funds to Indigenous communities.
The summit now represents a clear divide: on one side, nations like Brazil and Norway are proposing and funding new solutions. On the other, the world’s biggest economic and polluting powers are absent, drawing criticism for their inaction.
Top Polluters Skip Talks as UN Chief Blasts “Fossil Fuel Captivity”
