• Brazil's COP30 climate summit begins November 10 in Belem, aimed at fostering global climate unity.
• 50,000 attendees are expected, but attendance is uncertain due to high accommodation costs and lack of political will.
• US absence raises concerns over leadership in global climate negotiations and major polluters' insufficient action.

Brazil is banking on the upcoming COP30 climate summit in the Amazon to showcase the possibility of global cooperation in addressing the climate crisis. Scheduled to begin on November 10 in Belem, a city recognized as a gateway to the Amazon rainforest, the summit is anticipated to attract around 50,000 attendees. However, the prospects of a successful turnout face challenges, including a hostile United States likely not to participate, low enthusiasm for climate policies, and exorbitant accommodation costs threatening attendance, according to Channel News Asia and The Jakarta Post.

The Brazilian government, led by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, aims to emphasize the Amazon's role in carbon dioxide absorption during the summit. However, with the recent years marking the hottest on record, there is acute pressure for COP30 to deliver more than symbolic gestures, especially as the world edges towards the critical 1.5°C warming limit established under the Paris climate agreement. Lula's assertion of a "COP of truth" underscores his commitment to making this summit a significant event, yet skepticism over actual outcomes persists, as pointed out by Times of India and The Jakarta Post.

There are already signs of dwindling political commitment to addressing climate change, particularly in light of the US's anticipated absence from the event. President Trump's previous derogatory remarks, labeling climate change a "con job," have created a vacuum of leadership in climate talks. This situation is exacerbated by the European Union's struggles with its own environmental policies, according to Times of India and Channel News Asia.

Among the logistical challenges facing COP30, the prohibitive costs of accommodation have led to a range of creative solutions, such as utilizing schools and cruise ships to house attendees. Despite requests to relocate the summit to more affordable venues, President Lula has remained resolute about hosting it in Belem, asserting the importance of showcasing the Amazon's significance. He even pledged to "sleep on a boat, in a hammock" during the summit to demonstrate his commitment, according to The Jakarta Post and Times of India.

As preparations proceed, the focus will also be on securing concrete commitments for financial assistance to developing nations, who argue that rich countries must shoulder more responsibility in the fight against climate change. The call for action comes amidst delays in emissions reduction pledges from many countries, including major polluters, heightening the urgency for COP30 to deliver substantive outcomes rather than empty promises, according to Times of India and Channel News Asia.