Dear President Lula,

As the president of Brazil, the host country for COP30, you have tremendous influence on the next climate talks.

The climate justice movement and countries around the world are now looking to you for leadership.

2024 was the hottest year ever with record-breaking climate disasters happening in every part of the world.¹ And yet, countries are lagging behind in setting ambitious climate goals. COP29 proved that.

This is where you come in. You have the power to lead by example and encourage other countries to commit to ambitious climate plans (Nationally Determined Contributions or NDCs) – before COP30.

The world needs ambition – the next COP could be a decisive moment in the battle to keep our planet below 1.5 degrees Celsius of heating² — the limit experts agree will help reduce the negative impacts of climate change. But only if Brazil steps up as the climate leader we need, and calls on countries to raise their game and meet the challenge.

Climate leadership and just energy solutions already exist right here in Brazil. Last year, 350 Brazil and our local partners in the Amazon launched Energy of the People – a campaign to give everyone access to affordable renewable energy, grounded in local experiences and knowledge.³ And you could be the ally we need to bring projects like this all around the world by encouraging world leaders to commit to strong climate plans.

So please, step up. Be the climate leader we need and influence other countries to set ambitious climate plans.

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Sources: 
1. WMO confirms 2024 as warmest year on record at about 1.55°C above pre-industrial level
2. Explained: The 1.5 C climate benchmark
3. Energy of the People