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change, addressed the gathering of ministers and high-ranking officials from nearly 200 countries, in a stark portrayal of the price of failure on the climate crisis.

The two weeks of talks, hosted by Brazil in the Amazonian city of Belém, will focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, setting a path for the transition away from fossil fuels, and providing the finance needed to protect poor countries against extreme weather.

Temperatures have already surpassed the 1.5C threshold agreed under the 2015 Paris treaty for the last two years, but only if that continues for several more years will the rise be judged permanent and a breach of the treaty, reports The Guardian online.

Some scientists argue it could still be possible to bring down temperatures to the threshold again, or close to it, by measures such as cutting the powerful greenhouse gas methane, and by a rapid switch to low-carbon technologies.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva told the opening of UN climate talks yesterday that it was time to defeat climate change deniers.

“Climate change is no longer a threat of the future. It is a tragedy of the present,” said Lula, slamming those who reject scientific evidence and “spread fear, attack institutions, science, and universities.”

“It’s time to inflict a new defeat on the deniers,” he said, adding that it was far cheaper to fight to protect the climate than to wage war.

Simon Stiell also told the opening meeting of the summit: “When climate disasters decimate the lives of millions, when we already have the solutions, this will never, ever be forgiven.”

“Not one single nation among you can afford this, as climate disasters rip double digits off GDP,” he warned. “To falter whilst mega droughts wreck national harvests, sending food prices soaring, makes zero sense, economically and politically. To squabble while famines take hold, forcing millions to flee their homelands, this will never be forgotten, as conflicts spread.”

Some including Brazil have suggested that countries focus on smaller efforts that don’t need consensus, after years of COP summits that have celebrated lofty promises only to leave many unfulfilled.

“My preference is not to need a COP decision,” COP30 President Andre Correa do Lago said in an interview with Reuters and other media. “If countries have an overwhelming desire for a COP decision, we will certainly think about it and deal with it.”

Do Lago noted the rise of China’s importance in the talks, as the United States promises to exit the Paris Agreement in January and the European Union struggles to maintain its ambition amid worries over energy security.

“Emerging countries are appearing in this COP with a different role. China is coming with solutions for everyone,” do Lago said – noting that inexpensive green technologies from China were now leading the energy transition worldwide.