On 11 November hundreds of Indigenous activists stormed the UN COP30 climate summit in Belém, demanding real protection for their lands and rights amid growing frustration over government inaction. The protests, led by Amazonian communities, erupted as president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva promoted his administration’s commitment to Indigenous inclusion - claims protesters say ring hollow while oil drilling, logging, and mining continue to threaten the rainforest. ‘We can’t eat money’, said Gilmar of the Tupinamba community, voicing anger at the summit’s focus on climate finance over preservation. The demonstrations followed the arrival of the Yaku Mama protest flotilla, which sailed over two thousand miles to call attention to Indigenous leadership in environmental stewardship. Despite Lula’s rhetoric, Brazil’s state oil company has just received approval to begin exploratory offshore drilling near the Amazon’s mouth. This year’s meeting is the first to take place since the International Court of Justice ruled that countries must meet their climate obligations and that failing to do so could violate international law. Note: the four nations responsible for almost 50% of global pollution (Russia, China, India, and the USA) are not even attending COP30. The conference is a major focus for prayer, as churches become more and more aware of the climate crisis. For a link to the John Stott lecture on 20 November, which will focus on the challenges which the world is facing and a Christian response, see

Keir Starmer has unveiled multi-million-pound clean energy investment deals as he heads to the COP30 climate summit in Brazil. The agreements, worth over £115 million, include £15 million for a new operations centre at the Port of East Anglia, £100 million for Belfast Harbour to deliver two Irish Sea wind farms, and Statera Energy’s plans for a major battery site in Greater Manchester. Downing Street says the projects will create more than 600 skilled jobs, describing them as 'national renewal in action’. Starmer said the UK will continue leading on climate action, promising to champion future generations and working people alike. Energy secretary Ed Miliband called clean power 'the engine of Britain’s economic renewal’. Yet critics question Labour’s ability to meet its net zero goals after scaling back international commitments, including rainforest protection funds. Conservative and Reform UK leaders argue that net zero targets are unrealistic and harmful to UK industry. See also the world article about the Earthshot Prize winners.

In a northern region of Brazil known as the Equatorial Margin, where the Amazon River meets the Atlantic, a major environmental and political debate is unfolding. After researching the possibility of offshore oil reserves, the government decided to hold auctions to sell exploration rights in this area. President Lula da Silva, known for his environmental pledges, including a promise of ‘zero deforestation’ in 2023, now supports allowing drilling ‘to fund our energy transition’ and bolster the economy. Critics argue this contradicts his public stance and undermines Brazil’s credibility as it prepares to host COP30. Environmental organisations and even the federal prosecutor’s office challenged the oil auctions, citing inadequate environmental reviews and community consultation. Despite their efforts, they went ahead, with major corporations like Chevron and Petrobras securing exploration rights. Brazil’s environmental agency had initially rejected drilling permits, but its decision was overruled by its own director under government pressure. The outcome reflects Brazil’s struggle to reconcile economic needs with ecological stewardship.