Overview
- Delegations gather with the United States present only at a low level, and reports accuse Washington of using intimidation at the International Maritime Organization to stall shipping climate rules.
- The European Union will allow member states to meet up to 5% of targets with international carbon credits, with a possible review for another 5%, and is weighing protections against Chinese clean‑tech imports, moves critics say weaken ambition.
- Host Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva urges urgent action and shared responsibility, and UN Secretary‑General António Guterres calls failure to limit warming to 1.5°C a moral failure and mortal negligence.
- Climate indicators have worsened since 2015, with about 0.46°C additional warming, faster sea‑level rise and more extreme events, even as renewables now supply most new power demand and clean‑energy investment is projected at about $2.2 trillion in 2025.
- Developing countries press for more funding and fairer terms, civil‑society groups warn against 'pay to pollute' credits, and proposals include higher levies on private jets and first‑class air travel.