Brazil's Favela Residents Take Center Stage at COP30 Climate Talks

Brazil's favela residents are mobilizing to ensure their voices are heard in global climate talks. As the 2025 United Nations Climate Conference, known as COP30, prepares to open in Belem, Brazil, community members from Rio's favelas, its lowest-income neighborhoods, have been organizing to make sure their needs and concerns are recognized in the discussions. Residents of Rio's favelas, where more than 1 million people live in informal settlements, have been rallying ahead of the official meetings. They are demanding a say in climate talks, citing the disproportionate impact of climate change on their communities. "We're not just talking about the environment, we're talking about our lives," said Negra Re, a rapper from Rio's favela of Rocinha, who has been actively involved in the mobilization efforts. "We're talking about the future of our children, our homes, our livelihoods." The mobilization efforts are part of a broader movement to amplify the voices of informal settlements worldwide. According to the United Nations, over 1 billion people live in informal settlements globally, and they are often the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. "The climate crisis is not just an environmental issue, it's a social justice issue," said Maria Luiza Vianna, a community leader from Rio's favela of Manguinhos. "We need to ensure that the voices of the most marginalized communities are heard in these climate talks." The Brazilian government has acknowledged the importance of including the perspectives of favela residents in the climate talks. "We understand that the climate crisis affects all of us, but it affects some of us more than others," said a spokesperson for the Brazilian government. "We're committed to ensuring that the voices of all Brazilians, including those from the favelas, are heard in these discussions." The COP30 conference is expected to bring together world leaders, climate experts, and civil society representatives to discuss global climate action. The conference will focus on several key areas, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting sustainable development, and supporting climate resilience. Favela residents are hoping that their voices will be included in these discussions and that their concerns will be addressed. As the conference prepares to open, favela residents are calling on world leaders to prioritize the needs of informal settlements in the climate talks. "We're not just asking for a seat at the table, we're demanding a say in the decisions that affect our lives," said Negra Re. "We're fighting for a more just and equitable future, where everyone has access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive."