The end of 2024 and COP29 mark a year of record temperatures, characterized by climate disasters and countless deaths in Black urban territories. All this is happening while emissions continue to rise and the commitments of those responsible for the crisis decline.
We, at Geledés – Black Woman Institute, closely followed the negotiations during the two weeks of COP29, tirelessly advocating for the inclusion of broader language in the main texts to represent Afro-descendant populations. Yet, this was another Conference of the Parties under a presidency deeply invested in fossil fuels, which resulted in mistrust and a lack of transparency in the negotiation processes of the most critical agreements. We saw no progress on a just transition; we experienced setbacks in gender issues, and much work remains to meet global adaptation goals. Concrete commitments to the necessary financing for the survival of people and the planet were not established. Most concerning is the weakening of the human rights agenda amid inconclusive and ill-intentioned decisions. We witnessed the Global North acting unfairly against the Global South.
The delays, the presidency’s lack of understanding of COP29 processes, and the absence of democratic and transparent negotiations hinder our progress—at a time when the demands are urgent and require immediate action. We saw countries pleading in plenary sessions and leaders delivering emotional speeches, yet, behind closed doors, disinterested nations continue to fuel the crisis rather than contain it. We deeply regret seeing COP29 conclude with so many setbacks.
There is much work to be done, especially by the Brazilian government, which has emphasized the importance of transparency and trust. However, it also stressed the need to prioritize human rights and visibility for Afro-descendant populations on the path to COP30, to be held in Brazil. We reaffirm our role, as an organization within the Brazilian Black movement, to continue contributing insights that highlight the historical need to combat environmental racism and social inequalities.
We return to Brazil with more tasks ahead, believing that we can make progress through trust, commitment to combating environmental racism, and social participation. If Brazil, as the president of COP30, wishes to lead, it must set an example: preventing deaths caused by climate events and refusing to tolerate setbacks in the climate agenda are essential steps for such leadership. Progress must genuinely reflect the planet’s needs, with greater ambition to achieve the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C and ensuring that no one is left behind. We need more!