CSS Attends COP 30 in Belem, Brazil

CSS had previously planned on not attending due to the high cost both financially and environmentally, the lack of progress from previous COPs and the difficulty engaging with decision makers. When CSS attended COP 29 in Azerbaijan, the results were neglible. We had much better outcomes this year from attending the Africa Climate Summit in Addis Ababa and the IT DRR conference in Kyoto.

When Ugandan CSS Think Tank member Rose Kobusinge offered to attend on behalf of CSS and she said that she already had a lodging voucher, we decided that it might be worth it. So far it has been worth it.

With the U.S. and some of the hordes of fossil fuel lobbyists absent this year, the tone of the event is far more hopeful, despite the misalignment from the host, Brazil. Many African nations have a substantial presence this year and came with a united voice. This presents more opportunities for us to engage with decision makers and inform them of the solutions we can offer. It also helped us connect with key people in the Philippines, where we already have important projects underway but need greater engagement with government.

Many people have high hopes for COP 30, but the usual self-interest and sabotage by petro-states has been hindering progress.

While COP 30 may fail to achieve global consensus, it has brought together many influential people who do influence each other and this year the positive influence may outweigh the negative.