The need for business presence at COP30 comes at a moment of political flux. Several major economies are revisiting climate commitments under domestic pressure, while the pace of global emissions cuts remains off track.
Yet market signals point towards a long-term shift. Recent forecasts show global investment in clean energy will reach $2.2 trillion this year – double the $1.1 trillion going to fossil fuels. According to the International Energy Agency, money is flowing into renewables, electrification, grids, storage and efficiency, while upstream oil and gas investment is expected to fall by up to 6% in 2025.
Physical risks from extreme heat, drought, flooding and storms are already disrupting supply chains and damaging assets. The International Accounting Standards Board will soon issue guidance to companies on how to reflect climate risk in their profit and loss accounts, revealing to investors how floods, storms and droughts affect bottom lines.
Without stronger adaptation measures, businesses could face annual losses in the trillions of dollars by mid-century. By participating in COP30, companies can help ensure that the experience of real-world economic actors can shape climate policy, backed by the finance and regulatory support it requires.
Practical obstacles, however, are weighing on decisions to attend. Belem faces constraints in transport capacity, accommodation and conference infrastructure, with organisations expressing concern about costs and accessibility. These challenges have prompted some to consider reducing in-person representation.
While such considerations are real, they do not diminish the strategic imperative of engagement. Whether through the main venue or coordinated satellite events happening in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, business needs to be visible in the processes that will shape market conditions for years to come.
With COP taking place in Belem, businesses across Brazil and Latin America are seeing a rare opportunity to help shape the global climate agenda from their own region. The summit offers a platform to showcase solutions, share knowledge and forge new partnerships that can accelerate the transition.
By standing alongside regional peers, international companies can strengthen the collective influence of business, and ensure that the transition moves forward at the speed and scale the moment demands.
