An opportunity for Brazil’s bioenergy leadership to turn commitments into action
The UNFCCC COP30 Climate Change Conference will be held in Belém, Brazil, from 10–21 November 2025, marking the 10-year anniversary of the Paris Agreement — the landmark accord that established the global framework for collective climate action.
Since then, successive COPs have advanced the global agenda — from the coal phase-down commitment in Glasgow (COP26) to the goal of tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030, adopted under the UAE Consensus at COP28.
Over the past decade, renewable energy technologies have achieved record growth, lowering costs and creating millions of new jobs across sectors. Bioenergy, a cornerstone of the energy transition and a vital contributor to decarbonization across all end-use sectors, has continued its steady expansion. The recent launch of the Belém 4X Pledge on Sustainable Fuels — aiming to quadruple global use of sustainable fuels by 2035 — signals a renewed international focus on the role of bioenergy in meeting climate goals.
As delegates gather in Belém to negotiate the next phase of global climate action, the World Bioenergy Association (WBA) calls upon countries to:
Reaffirm the 1.5°C Commitment
Recent analyses indicate that the world could exceed the 1.5°C threshold within the next decade. Urgent action is needed to reverse this trajectory. Countries must reaffirm their collective commitment under the Paris Agreement and announce stronger ambition in their updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to bridge the global emissions gap and align with science-based pathways.
Send Clear Signals for Fossil Fuel Phase-Out
Governments should adopt sectoral decarbonization roadmaps covering power, heat, transport, industry, agriculture, and materials — establishing measurable timelines for the phase-out of all fossil fuels. These pathways must be paired with strong policy frameworks that accelerate the deployment of renewable and sustainable energy technologies, including bioenergy.
Deliver a Comprehensive Climate Finance Package
Finance remains the cornerstone of implementation. Countries should advance progress on the “Baku to Belém Roadmap”, which aims to scale up climate finance for developing countries to at least USD 1.3 trillion annually by 2035. A credible financing framework will unlock both public and private capital, providing the certainty needed for large-scale investment in renewable energy and bio-based solutions.
Highlight Biofuels as a Global Climate Solution
As host of COP30, Brazil is uniquely positioned to showcase biofuels as a proven and scalable climate solution. With decades of leadership in biofuels development, Brazil should use its host status to:
Conclusion
COP30 represents a pivotal opportunity to transform ambition into action. The world must move from negotiation to implementation — from pledges to projects. Bioenergy, as a renewable, scalable, and socially inclusive solution, must be an integral part of this transition, helping deliver real progress toward the 1.5°C goal and a sustainable energy future for all.
Read the full position paper here: Link