Brazil’s COP30 presidency has appointed 30 envoys to liaise with “priority sectors and regions” ahead of the UN climate summit in November, among them champion surfer Maya Gabeira, first lady Janja Lula da Silva and New Zealand’s former prime minister, Jacinda Ardern.
The Brazilian government said the envoys, who will work in a voluntary and personal capacity, “will act as key liaisons for the flow of information and perspective from the areas they represent, enabling faster and more effective interactions”.
“They will be our voices and ears in strategic sectors and regions, contributing to a collective effort for a strong and effective COP30 that implements climate solutions,” said COP30 CEO Ana Toni.
The new COP30 envoy for Europe – former French diplomat Laurence Tubiana – said she was “honoured”, pledging in a LinkedIn post to “promote multilateral cooperation and deepen ties between Brazil and Europe – not only between governments, but also with civil society, indigenous leaders, and the business community”.
Novel approach
Kaveh Guilanpour, vice president of the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions and an experienced climate diplomat, said COP presidencies have often enlisted experienced external advisers for confidential advice.
Brazil calls on local groups to “inspire” governments in boosting climate action
“But this approach, where external envoys are going to be used in an outward facing role, including in relation to specific sectors as well as regions, seems novel,” he told Climate Home. “I applaud Brazil for thinking outside the box.”
Turn COP30 into a talking shop?
Joanna Depledge, a climate negotiation academic at Cambridge University, said using so many envoys from outside government “seems unprecedented”.
But, she said, while “there are many well-known and illustrious names there”, there are “also many ‘formers’,” who have now left top positions. “How influential will they be?”
By appointing envoys for novel sectors like culture, family farming, sports and bioeconomy, Depledge said the Brazilian government may be “trying to broaden the climate conversation and inject fresh ideas”.
“But could this just dilute the serious business of the negotiations and mean that COP30 descends into a talk shop?” she said, adding that the omission of a finance envoy was surprising.
Brazil’s Belém races to make room for COP30 influx
The COP30 world leaders’ summit will take place in Brazil’s Amazon city of Belém on November 6 and 7 followed by a two-week UN negotiating session and conference starting on November 10.
The post Surfer, first lady and former PM among Brazil’s COP30 envoys appeared first on Climate Home News.
Surfer, first lady and former PM among Brazil’s COP30 envoys
The conference is one of the largest aimed at preparing for hurricane season, which begins June 1. A task force report on potential reforms to the agency also remains on hold.
ORLANDO, Fla.—A major conference to help communities prepare for hurricane season kicked off Monday without the agency that coordinates federal disaster response.
Right now, Greenpeace activists are standing up to Big Gas at a major gas conference in Sydney.
Inside the Sheraton Grand Hotel, executives from fossil fuel companies have gathered alongside lobbyists, investors and political allies to plan the future of gas in Australia – and how to maximise their profits.
So Greenpeace has stepped in to call it out. Activists have dropped a banner inside the venue with a clear message: Gas Execs Profit. We Pay The Price.
We need your help to spread the message that we won’t stand by and let this happen.
What’s really going on
Gas corporations are making billions in windfall profits from global conflicts – from Ukraine to Iran – while Australians pay the price with higher energy bills and climate damage.
And they want more.
More drilling. More exports. More profit.
Why Greenpeace took action today
This conference is where it all comes together. Behind closed doors, gas executives, lobbyists, investors and political allies are meeting to push for more gas expansion, no doubt using global instability as their justification.
That’s why Greenpeace couldn’t let this gathering go uninterrupted.
Big Gas is counting on people not paying attention. Let’s prove them wrong.
Share the video to call out Big Gas.
What needs to happen now
Gas is expensive. It’s volatile. And it ties our energy system to global instability.
But there is a better way. Renewable energy is already cheaper, more reliable, and made right here in Australia. It’s the fastest path to lower bills, real energy security and a safer climate.
To get there, we need to:
- properly tax the gas industry and its exports
- stop expanding gas
- and speed up the transition to homegrown renewable energy.
Share this video far and wide to show just how much support there is to tax Big Gas properly and speed up the transition to renewable energy.
This is just the beginning
This action is part of a growing movement to stand up to Big Gas and challenge the power it holds over our government and society. The Federal Government has a role to play – starting by taxing gas corporations properly and then accelerating the transition to homegrown renewable energy.
Together, we can show just how much support there is for change and make it impossible for decision-makers to ignore.
What you can do
- Follow along on our social channels.
- Share the video far and wide to show how much support there is.
- Sign the petition to tell Albo to stand up to Big Gas – because if we can, he can.
BREAKING: Greenpeace activists disrupt major gas conference in Sydney
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
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