COP30: World leaders gather for summit

COP30: World leaders gather for summit – Friends of the Earth comment

World leaders, including UK prime minister Keir Starmer, are meeting in Brazil (6-7 November) for a leaders’ summit ahead of next week’s crucial UN climate talks.

Commenting ahead of the summit, Asad Rehman, chief executive of Friends of the Earth - who will be attending the climate talks next week - said:

“World leaders must wake up to the accelerating climate emergency unfolding on our doorsteps and act now to build the fairer, cleaner and more just future we urgently need.

“We’re living in the decisive decade for our climate. The choices governments make now will shape our collective future for generations.

“From deadly floods and storms to wildfires and record heat, the crisis is already here, and the loss of the world’s forests is making it even worse.

“Wealthy nations that caused this crisis must go further and faster to cut their emissions and deliver funding for front line communities - in the UK and overseas – to help them adapt to climate breakdown.

“It’s time to make polluters pay - not those who have done least to cause the crisis.”

Friends of the Earth is calling on the UK government to play an  important role in guiding this year’s talks to success, by:  

•    Honouring the UK’s climate targets and delivering a fair and just transition  
•    Ensuring justice for communities on the front lines of climate breakdown in the UK and overseas 
•    Showing maximum ambition and drive for ending global deforestation
•    Making polluters pay

A Friends of the Earth media briefing on the UN climate talks is available on request.

ENDS