In a world facing geopolitical conflicts and economic instability, Andre Correa do Lago, president of the COP30 climate conference, told DW that climate change often slips down the global agenda. As such, the challenge lies in communicating the urgency of the issue to both the public and politicians.
Ahead of this year's UN summit, to be held in the Brazilian city of Belem in November, Correa do Lago remains cautiously optimistic about the global goal of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit).
He stresses the importance of scientific guidance and the need for collective international action, while acknowledging the political and economic resistance from many countries, including Brazil.
Public understanding how economic reform can be environmentally beneficial remains limited, he says. But he believes that with the right policies, climate action can drive growth, create jobs and offer a hopeful path forward.