Brazil’s COP30 presidency wants to elevate grassroots solutions to the climate crisis to the global level in a bid to spur governments to bolster their national climate plans.
With six months until the climate summit gets underway in the Amazon city of Bélem, only 21 countries have put forward updated targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions through to 2035, despite a self-imposed end-of-February deadline, which has now been extended until September.
Yet, while encouraging governments to submit ambitious “nationally determined contributions” (NDCs), COP30 President André Aranha Corrêa do Lago said this week that “we cannot expect only governments to act”.
“We have to act as individuals, corporations, professors etc,” he added in a press briefing. “There is a huge space for a movement that truly shows to the governments that populations are concerned about climate change, they believe we have to make very significant changes and they want to contribute to that.”
Slow progress towards Paris goals
The COP30 president issued the plea as more than 40 climate ministers and other leading officials gathered in Copenhagen, Denmark, this week for key talks in preparation for the Bélem summit.
Simon Stiell, the UN’s climate chief, said “progress is being made” although more slowly than climate science dictates. He noted that, while the world is still on a trajectory to global warming of 3C above pre-industrial times, temperatures would have been set to rise by 5C without the international climate process guided by the Paris Agreement.
Stiell added that, after analysing all the updated NDCs, the world will see how close it is to limiting warming to 1.5C – the most ambitious goal of the Paris accord.
New figures published this week stoked fears over the ability to meet that target. The global average temperature over the 12-month period to the end of April 2025 was 1.58C above the pre-industrial level, according to the European earth observation programme Copernicus.
The increase does not automatically represent a breach of the Paris pact which tracks temperature increases over decades rather than months.
Call for ‘self-determined contributions’
In an open letter published on Thursday, Corrêa do Lago encouraged individuals and organisations to present ground-level climate actions that have already been delivered or are taking place now rather than “pledges to be fulfilled in the future”.
The COP30 president said these initiatives – which he called “self-determined contributions” – could include, for example, farmers embracing regenerative agriculture, tech companies working together to decarbonise data centres, or coastal towns restoring mangroves.
Comment: COP30 must heed the elephant in the room: fossil fuels
The COP30 presidency will launch a platform to gather climate contributions from civil society with the stated aim of inspiring global leaders in their preparation of NDCs. The initiative will be unveiled during the upcoming UN climate week due to start in Panama on May 19.
Corrêa do Lago told reporters that showcasing existing solutions can persuade some governments “less convinced than others” that the fight against climate change can make people’s lives better and benefit the economy.
‘Local action for global ambition’
In Copenhagen, the COP30 presidency and ministers also joined representatives from cities and regions across the world, in the first meeting of its kind with sub-national governments.
Chilando Chitangala, mayor of Lusaka, the capital city of Zambia, said cities are on the frontline of the climate crisis, but they cannot act alone. “We need to be part of the decisions that shape climate policy at every level. Without local climate action, global ambitions will remain out of reach,” she added.
First carbon credit scheme for early coal plant closures unveiled
The COP30 presidency has promised to involve city and regional leaders more closely in the climate process, especially after Donald Trump’s administration started the process for the US to leave the Paris Agreement.
Corrêa do Lago said that the US government is “just waiting for the year to pass” until it is officially out of the accord.
“Who is leaving Paris [agreement] is the government of the United States, not the US as a country,” he added. “The US is still very present in the fight against climate change through scientists, universities, businesses.”
The post Brazil calls on local groups to “inspire” governments in boosting climate action appeared first on Climate Home News.
Brazil calls on local groups to “inspire” governments in boosting climate action
SYDNEY, Tuesday 31 March 2026 — Two Greenpeace Australia Pacific activists have been arrested following a peaceful protest at the Australian Domestic Gas Outlook conference in Sydney, where they dropped a banner that said — “Gas Execs Profit. We Pay The Price” and held banners saying “Tax Gas Profits”.
Photos and B Roll video of the protest and arrests are available here
Live updates on Greenpeace Instagram
The two activists were arrested by police around 9:00am AEDT and taken to Day Street Police Station. Information on this morning’s gas conference disruption can be found here.
Solaye Snider, Campaigner at Greenpeace Australia Pacific, said: “Greenpeace activists have taken a strong stand today against profit hungry gas corporations and lobbyists, who see horrific global wars as an opportunity to price gouge and profiteer, while everyday people pay the price.
“Australians have had enough of gas corporations like Santos and ConocoPhillips ripping us off, leaving us with nothing but empty pockets and climate damage. The gas industry is aggressively lobbying against being fairly taxed and pushing to drill for more gas. Change requires showing up and speaking out, and that’s what these activists have done today.
“Greenpeace Australia Pacific stands by our activists, and stands with all communities who are peacefully fighting for a safe and clean energy future. The right to peaceful protest is a fundamental pillar of a healthy democracy and a basic right of all Australians.”
-ENDS-
Media contacts:
Lucy Keller: +61 491 135 308 or lkeller@greenpeace.org or Kate O’Callaghan: +61 406 231 892 or kate.ocallaghan@greenpeace.org
Greenpeace activists arrested after disrupting major gas conference in Sydney
SYDNEY, Tuesday 31 March 2026 — Greenpeace Australia Pacific activists have disrupted the Australian Domestic Gas Outlook conference in Sydney, dropping a 3 metre-long banner in the main foyer outside the conference room saying, ‘Gas Execs Profit, We Pay The Price’.
- Images and footage for media use can be found here — more will be uploaded by 10:00am AEDT.
- Live updates on Greenpeace Instagram
Two activists dropped the banner at around 8.30AM in the grand stairwell outside the conference room. They were joined by a group of ten activists with hand banners saying, ‘Tax Gas Profits’. The two activists have locked themselves to the banner and the bannister.
With this peaceful protest, Greenpeace is calling for the gas industry to be taxed properly, and to accelerate the transition toward cheap, clean homegrown renewable energy.
The 13th annual Australian Domestic Gas Outlook conference is a gathering of fossil fuel executives, lobbyists, government and investors at the Sheraton Grand, Sydney Hyde Park to discuss the future of the polluting gas industry.
Solaye Snider, Campaigner at Greenpeace Australia Pacific, said: “Gas corporations in Australia are ripping us off. From Ukraine to Iran, these corporations treat global conflict as an opportunity to line their pockets and drill for more gas — but while gas executives profit, we pay the price with more climate pollution, more environmental destruction, and soaring bills for Australian households.
“It’s in Australia’s interest to unhook from volatile, polluting and expensive sources of energy like gas. The fastest path to cheaper power bills and a safer climate is clear: start taxing gas exports properly and speed up the transition toward homegrown renewable energy.
“As long as we are dependent on fossil fuels like gas, our electricity bills and our climate are at the mercy of global instability and greedy corporations who put their profits over people and planet.”
Alex Saurin, Greenpeace Australia Pacific activist who dropped the banner, said: “It feels powerful to take a stand against these gas corporations that have been trampling over the Australian people and our environment for far too long.
“Gas giants like Santos and ConocoPhillips have spent years blocking renewable energy and dodging fair taxes to protect their record profits. While families struggle to pay the bills and the climate crisis accelerates, these companies continue to demand free right to do whatever they want.
“It is beyond time for our leaders to shake off the gas industry’s grip and start taxing these corporations fairly while clearing the path for the renewable energy we desperately need. They need to start making decisions for our people and our planet — not just for us now, but for the generations to come.”
Key facts:
- Greenpeace activists disrupted the Australian Domestic Gas Outlook conference at the Sheraton Grand, Sydney Hyde Park at 8.20 AM today, Tuesday 31 March.
- Two activists dropped a banner over the grand stairwell that says, “Gas Execs Profit, We Pay The Price”. The activists have locked themselves to the banner and the bannister.
- A larger group of activists joined the protest, holding hand banners saying, “Tax Gas Profits”.
- Representatives from some of the biggest fossil fuel polluters in Australia and globally, including Santos, ExxonMobil and Shell are speaking at the conference.
—ENDS—
Media contacts:
Lucy Keller on +61 491 135 308 or lucy.keller@greenpeace.org or Kate O’Callaghan on +61 406 231 892 or kate.ocallaghan@greenpeace.org
A planned 1.3-mile wall across Mount Cristo Rey has drawn opposition from environmentalists and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces.
Editor’s note: This story was co-published with Puente News Collaborative in partnership with Inside Climate News. Puente News Collaborative is a bilingual nonprofit newsroom and funder dedicated to high-quality, fact-based news and information from the U.S.-Mexico border.
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