COP30: Amazon’s future depends on people-centered finance

As the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) approaches in Belém, Brazil, global attention is turning to a pressing question: how can international climate finance be mobilized to protect the Amazon while empowering the communities that depend on it? Experts, civil society organizations, and grassroots representatives are urging that the coming talks focus not just on emissions targets, but on people-centered solutions that ensure a fair and just transition.

The Amazon faces mounting pressures from industrial agriculture and extractive industries. Nearly 70% of newly deforested areas are linked to soy and meat production, releasing billions of tonnes of CO₂ into the atmosphere each year.

Delegates expect COP30 to address these challenges by proposing mechanisms that balance economic growth with environmental protection and community welfare.

A central proposal gaining momentum is the Belém Action Mechanism (BAM), an international framework designed to guide climate action in key sectors such as energy, agriculture, mining, and transport.

BAM is intended to strengthen cooperation, support local solutions, and ensure climate finance is targeted toward initiatives that benefit communities directly.

Teresa Anderson, Global Lead on Climate Justice at ActionAid International, said: “COP30 presents a unique opportunity to align finance with the needs of communities on the frontlines. Without dedicated support for local livelihoods and sustainable practices, climate solutions risk leaving the most vulnerable behind.”

Reports indicate that only a small fraction of climate finance currently reaches projects that support just transitions.

Paula Castro, Climate Justice Policy Advisor at ActionAid, stressed: “We cannot solve the climate crisis by funding industrial solutions alone. People-centered finance is essential to create sustainable livelihoods, protect human rights, and build resilient communities in the Amazon and beyond.”

Grassroots representatives are expected to play a pivotal role at COP30, highlighting the human impacts of deforestation, industrial farming, and extractive industries.

Caroline Ntaopane, Climate Justice, Mining and Extractives Programme Manager at ActionAid South Africa, noted: “Communities must be central to planning climate action. Women and marginalized groups, in particular, must have a voice in shaping transitions that affect their lands and lives.”

Experts warn that if industrial agriculture and extractive practices continue unchecked, global temperatures could rise by over 2°C by 2035, threatening food systems, water security, and livelihoods across the world. COP30 delegates are being urged to adopt transparent, inclusive, and accountable financing mechanisms to prevent these outcomes.

Chloé Farand, climate reporter and editor, highlighted the power of storytelling to influence decisions, saying: “Numbers are critical, but so are human stories. The experiences of communities directly impacted by climate change must guide policies and finance decisions.”

As COP30 nears, there is widespread agreement that climate finance must do more than reduce emissions.

It must empower communities, protect rights, and foster sustainable economic opportunities.

The stakes are high: the future of the Amazon rainforest and millions of people who rely on it may hinge on whether the world commits to people-centered finance and a just transition.