Newsletter 21 November 2025

Dear colleagues,

In the next hours, COP30 is expected to reach critical agreements. The Brazilian Presidency has shown strong ambition — pushing for a concrete agreement to end the use of all fossil fuels, secure a just transition mechanism and mobilise much more finance for adaptation – at least 120 billion USD annually as grants by 2030. While most COPs extend beyond the final day, we hope the high expectations this year are truly met and that COP30 becomes an ‘implementation COP’ as Lula has promised rather than another disappointment.

GCAP’s Strongest Presence since Copenhagen and Paris

For GCAP, this was the most active COP since Copenhagen (2009) and Paris (2015). A diverse delegation of 14 women, youth and Indigenous representatives brought grounded perspectives and justice-oriented demands into the core of negotiations.

At the beginning of the COP, Daniela Torrez from Colombia, presented GCAP’s expectations during the official COP press conference: “GCAP Latin America and the Caribbean (GCAP LAC) urges COP30 to prioritise climate and economic justice for a region rich in biodiversity yet disproportionately affected by the climate crisis. We call for debt-free, community-centred climate finance, protection of Indigenous and environmental defenders and ambitious national commitments grounded in inclusion, justice and peace.” Read the COP30 Declaration of GCAP Latin America and Caribbean: here.

Watch the press conference on 11 November here:
https://unfccc.int/event/abibimman-foundation-35

GCAP at the People’s March on 15 November

We joined thousands of people on the streets of Belém. The March, led by Indigenous peoples and frontline communities, was the first major protest outside a COP since Glasgow (COP26).

Mobilisation around the World during the Global Action Days: GCAP Africa, here in Ghana, together with Africans Rising, amplified the call of the global movement “Don’t Gas the South”, demanding energy sovereignty and protection of vital ecosystems.

GCAP Latin America and the Caribbean organised four events in the official COP and the People’s Summit – giving many people the opportunity to speak and to express their demands. Watch the videos of the colleagues:

Salina Sanou, former GCAP Co-Chair from Kenya

Milly Chujutalli Zumba, president of an indigenous
women organisation Shunku Warmikuna from Peru

15 November – Climate Justice and the Protection of Nature and Human Rights Defenders: Voices from Latin America and the Caribbean created a vital space to emphasise the urgent need to safeguard environmental defenders, uphold the Escazú Agreement and advance rights-based climate action throughout the region.

During the Panel on Environmental Agreement and Youth, Mónica Centrón from Paraguay highlighted the role of youth, stating, “Young people are the future of environmental education; they must be supported so they can continue to pass on their knowledge.”

GCAP members at the Panel on Environmental Agreement and Youth.

Carlos García from El Salvador (Top) and Mauro Pereira from Brazil (Bottom) speaking at the panel Environmental Education and Climate Challenges.

GCAP speakers at side event “From Seville to Belém: Climate Justice, Sustainable Cities, and Partnerships for Latin America and the Caribbean” presented SDGs 6, 11, 13 and 17, highlighting the need to end the use of all fossil fuels and achieve fair and real financing.

We are grateful to the Heinrich Boell Foundation Washington DC for the support of our activities at the COP.

In solidarity,

Mauro  Pereira
GCAP Global Council Member for LAC

Georgina Muñoz Pavon
GCAP Co-Chair