Brazil Grapples with Housing Shortage and Amazon Drilling Before COP30 Climate Summit

With the COP30 climate conference just weeks away, Brazil is working to address a range of challenges as the host nation. The government has confirmed that over 163 national delegations will be attending the summit in Belem, and 80% of them have already secured accommodations. To help alleviate the housing shortage, Brazil has secured funding from philanthropic organizations to cover expenses for delegations from the least-developed countries.

However, the lack of affordable housing in Belem has already caused some damage, with the executive secretary of the Climate Observatory warning that it is an issue that "shouldn't even be on our radar." The high prices and limited availability of hotels, private homes, and other makeshift accommodations have raised concerns about the potential impact on international participation.

Adding to the controversy is Brazil's recent approval of an environmental license for oil exploration near the mouth of the Amazon River, just weeks before the climate conference. This decision has drawn criticism from environmental, Indigenous, and Afro-Brazilian rights groups, who argue that the risks posed by the project have not been properly assessed. The COP30 chief, Ana Toni, acknowledges that the energy debate in Brazil has never been more mature, and she believes the climate conference will help further the discussion on the country's energy future.