By Fabiano Maisonnave, Jennifer A Dlouhy, and John Ainger
A top UN climate official demanded Brazilian authorities immediately develop a plan for addressing security lapses, soaring temperatures
A top UN climate official demanded Brazilian authorities immediately develop a plan for addressing security lapses, soaring temperatures, flooding and other poor conditions at the COP30 conference in the city of Belém.
Simon Stiell, executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, rapped Brazilian authorities for a security breach Tuesday night, when activists stormed into the conference venue, and said officers had failed to disperse protests inside a security zone where such civil actions are forbidden.
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Stiell also outlined a host of infrastructure problems that have plagued the event, including high temperatures and inadequate air conditioning, which he said require “immediate intervention” to “safeguard the well-being of delegates and personnel.” Already, Stiell said, there have been “instances of heat-related health concerns” amid non-functioning or uninstalled air-conditioning systems.
Belém’s heavy rains have also caused problems inside the site, Stiell said, with water entering “the ceiling and light fixtures, creating not only disruption but also potential safety hazards due to electrical exposure.”
[Watch: Climate Depot’s Marc Morano reports on the UN’s ‘indoor weather modification’ and major infrastructure problems, including water intrusion at COP30]
Brazilian authorities were criticized heavily in the runup to the COP30 summit for logistical hurdles, including a lack of affordable accommodation in Belém. That stoked concerns that many small island nations and developing states would not be able to send full-strength delegations, potentially undermining negotiations.
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Lula has long said hosting COP30 on the edge of the Amazon would highlight the reality of climate change, as Belém grapples with high levels of poverty and creaking infrastructure. However, the logistical challenges also prevented a number of world leaders from showing up to the summit last week.
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During the conference, delegates have faced frequent water shortages in bathrooms, stifling temperatures, unfinished pavilions and long lines for food as well as a payment system that requires topping up a pre-paid card, with refunds only permitted to those showing proof of identification.
