The Biomass Action Network (BAN) has been on the ground in Belém, making waves during the critical first week of COP30. As the Brazilian Presidency heavily promotes biofuels as a silver bullet to transition away from fossil fuels, BAN and its allies are stepping in to provide crucial information, translating the language on biofuels and making sure to keep the wood based ones, like “woody-biomass” and “charcoal”, out of the equation.
Our “COP Biomass Taskforce” has been meeting daily to track and challenge pro-bioenergy events and negotiations which are “fast-tracking” biofuels, raising concerns and presenting robust critiques to ensure that the dangerous flaws of large-scale bioenergy are not overlooked. While our specific focus under the EPN/BAN umbrella is on woody biomass and the impacts of deforestation, the creation of monoculture plantations, human rights abuses and climate change impacts, we acknowledge important concerns about other harmful forms of bioenergy such as hydrogenated vegetable oils derived from agricultural crops, palm oil, ethanol etc. We support and thank the campaigns that directly tackle these.
BAN members are participating in press conferences and side events to explain how the large-scale use of biomass for energy is being felt globally, as well as regionally by local communities and Indigenous People from Latin America to South East Asia. Around the world we are witnessing examples of devastation, human rights abuses and biodiversity loss in the name of so-called “sustainable” bioenergy. However, “Not All Bio is Green” and not every negotiation at COP is closing the gap on the 1.5°C objective we so desperately need to achieve.
The Brazilian Presidency’s stance is dangerously contradictory. By branding this the “Forest COP” while championing the Belém 4X Pledge on Sustainable Fuels, it ignores how industrial bioenergy drives deforestation and harms communities. BAN has issued a formal Letter to Parties and a press release detailing these risks and urging governments not to sign the pledge. Despite our network’s efforts, we are still waiting for a response from the Brazilian COP Presidency to meet with BAN members. We are here to help the Brazilian delegation build a more robust text that guarantees no wood-based burning for energy will be accepted as sustainable, nor biofuel.
Beyond Biomass: A Glimpse into COP30’s Tumult
The early calm during the first day gave way (very quickly) to some drama, the old divisions between parties and some pitchy speeches. Following the same route, the outside calm atmosphere with open paths and only strategically located security – exactly what is expected in a democratic country – transformed into a massive military parade. And why? Because Indigenous People dared to protest at the entrance to COP 30.
On a positive note, the Just Transition received crucial support from key countries, while the UK decided to oppose, reflecting rich countries’ reluctance to fund new institutions. Nevertheless, the negotiation moved on and the text will be discussed during the second week. Some glimpse of hope might be coming from Belém? We must dare to think so and push for it!
Meanwhile, debates over adaptation indicators saw African nations and Small Island States (AOSIS) pushing for simpler, more accessible criteria, fearing a complex list could block essential funding for the most vulnerable. The final text is all in brackets, meaning everything needs to be discussed and negotiated.
A powerful boat parade by the People’s Summit with 5000 people demanding climate justice, opened the week. And on Saturday, a Global Climate March of over 50,000 further elevated voices from organizations, Indigenous Peoples and local communities about the critical moment that COP 30 is taking place in. This conference must deliver on climate justice, transition away from fossil fuels and open the negotiation space to those that are most at threat from climate change: Indigenous People and local communities.
Beyond the Beyond Biomass
The humid conditions at this years COP, coupled with the fact that the venues air conditioning has been working sporadically, is a poignant physical reminder of the negotiations that need to be delivered. As delegates, observers, reporters (well, everyone working at COP 30, really!) are gasping for water and questioning their clothing choices, small glimpses of humanity are seen in once boring negotiations. As we thirstily search out the nearest water source, we also look around to see if a fellow comrade needs a refill. Maybe that’s the lesson for the second week – More eye contact and more empathy, because we are all experiencing how fast our water bottles are going empty in the heat.
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