View of Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro on a mountain shrouded in mist with a yellow dawn sky.

Brazil picks experienced diplomat to lead Cop30 climate summit in November

Brazil has named André Aranha Corrêa do Lago, a seasoned climate negotiator, as president of Cop30, sidelining Environment Minister Marina Silva in preparation for the critical UN climate summit in Belém.

Fiona Harvey reports for The Guardian.

In short:

André Aranha Corrêa do Lago, Brazil's secretary for climate, energy and environment, will preside over Cop30, set to focus on updating global climate targets under the Paris agreement.
Civil society groups praised the choice, noting his diplomatic expertise amid growing challenges, including countries failing to meet or set adequate emissions goals.
Critics remain concerned about logistical readiness in Belém, where the summit will highlight the Amazon’s role in climate discussions.

Key quote:

“Cop30 cannot be just another conference – it must be a turning point.”

— Natalie Unterstell, president of Instituto Talanoa

Why this matters:

Cop30 could be pivotal in securing commitments to curb global warming as rising temperatures outpace international goals. Brazil’s leadership will be tested, especially in balancing international cooperation, Indigenous inclusion and logistical challenges.

www.theguardian.com

Senator Whitehouse puts climate change on budget committee’s agenda

For more than a decade, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse gave daily warnings about the mounting threat of climate change. Now he has a powerful new perch.

Brazil picks experienced diplomat to lead Cop30 climate summit in November

Trump halts billions in Biden-era infrastructure funding with executive order

Trump seeks to prioritize fossil fuels while rolling back renewable energy efforts

Trump moves to expand oil, gas and logging in Alaska, facing environmental opposition

Scientists document widespread coral deaths on Great Barrier Reef

A city shaped by beauty, danger, and the lessons of fire

Canada considers deportation of climate activist Zain Haq amid public outcry

California’s immigrant workers face safety risks in wildfire cleanup jobs

Op-ed: Why funding for the environmental justice movement must be anti-racist

We must prioritize minority-serving institutions, BIPOC-led organizations and researchers to lead environmental justice efforts.

Biden finalizes long-awaited hydrogen tax credits ahead of Trump presidency

Responses to the new rules have been mixed, and environmental advocates worry that Trump could undermine them.

Op-ed: Toxic prisons teach us that environmental justice needs abolition

Prisons, jails and detention centers are placed in locations where environmental hazards such as toxic landfills, floods and extreme heat are the norm.

LISTEN: Reflections on the first five years of the Agents of Change program

The leadership team talks about what they’ve learned — and what lies ahead.

Study shows $1 billion in lost tax revenue in Houston area from industry tax breaks

Top polluters are benefiting the most from tax breaks.

What a Trump administration means for the federal hydrogen energy push

Legal and industry experts say there are uncertainties about the future of hydrogen hubs, a cornerstone of the Biden administration’s clean energy push.