Six must-know moments from the COP30 climate summit in Bazil so far

The annual U.N. climate summit, COP30, is reaching its halfway point in Belem, Brazil, with major shifts in global leadership and emotional calls for faster action. With the U.S. government absent, China is taking a key role in the talks. Meanwhile, Indigenous groups and thousands of activists are raising their voices on the streets for forest protection and climate finance.

Here are six key things to know about the conference so far, including a massive shift in global leadership and strong calls for justice:

Here are six essential things to know from the summit so far:

1. China steps up as U.S. steps aside

For the first time in 30 years, the United States did not send a high-level official delegation to the U.N. climate summit. This happened because U.S. President Donald Trump again withdrew the country from the Paris Agreement.

• China’s new role: China is now filling the diplomatic space left by the U.S., becoming a more central player in the global climate fight.
• A bigger presence: The China Pavilion now sits in a prime spot near the entrance, featuring presentations from top Chinese clean energy companies.
• Data point: China is the world’s top greenhouse gas emitter today and is quickly growing its renewable energy and electric vehicle (EV) industries.
• Renewable Energy Power: China is the world’s leading producer of renewable energy, offering low-carbon options to other nations, especially the “Global South.”

2. Indigenous voices demand to be heard

The people who protect the forests are making their presence felt with powerful protests and urgent demands. Indigenous groups have staged rallies and sit-ins to fight the destruction of their lands.

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Dozens of Indigenous protesters forced their way into the COP30 venue on Tuesday, clashing with security as they demanded land rights and an end to harmful projects such as oil exploration and illegal logging on their territories. Their push for visibility paid off when Indigenous leaders secured a meeting with the COP30 president. The Munduruku people summed up their message with a stark warning: “We are the ones who protect the climate, and the Amazon cannot continue to be destroyed.”

3. Thousands of protesters demand urgent action

On COP30’s official day of action, thousands of protesters filled the streets of Belem to demand stronger climate action. Indigenous people, young activists, and civil society groups marched side by side in heat that reached 30°C (86°F), with humidity pushing the feel to a harsh 35°C (95°F).

Brazil’s environment minister, Marina Silva, urged the crowd to push for a clear roadmap to move away from deforestation and fossil fuels. Music, banners, and loud chants carried their message, showing their frustration with governments and the fossil fuel industry.

4. New taxes proposed to fund climate fight

Raising the huge amount of money needed for climate action is now a key focus at COP30, especially as Western governments cut foreign aid. A new group, the Premium Flyers Solidarity Coalition, is pushing for taxes on premium air tickets and private jets to help generate fresh, debt-free funds for climate action.

Djibouti, Nigeria and South Sudan have joined the effort, alongside members like France, Spain and Kenya. At the same time, the Utilities for Net Zero Alliance has raised its yearly investment target from $116 billion to nearly $150 billion to speed up clean energy projects around the world.

5. The fossil fuel fight remains central

Although the official agenda centers on older climate deals, the most contentious issue, fossil fuels, is still driving some of the loudest debates at COP30. Brazil wants the summit to push forward the COP28 promise to begin “transitioning away from fossil fuels,” while several countries are pushing for a strong political text, known as a cover decision, to show global unity on this goal.

With the issue kept off the main agenda, many fear the final outcome could become a “very, very weak” response to a fast-growing climate crisis. Even so, Norway’s climate minister, Andreas Bjelland Eriksen, says that having a chance to tackle the tough fossil-fuel question in Belem is “a good thing.”

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### 6. 🤝 China’s Quiet but Key Diplomatic Role

China’s influence at COP30 goes far beyond its large pavilion. Diplomats say Beijing is now acting as a “guarantor of the climate regime,” stepping into the diplomatic space left by the United States. Its negotiators helped Brazil secure agreement on the summit agenda even before talks began, a role China rarely played in past years.

Experts add that China is one of the few powers able to bring together the diverse interests of the developing world, much like Washington once did

Read also: China signals support for Brazil’s $125bn tropical forest fund