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an analysis of the Brazilian COP 30 presidency in light of climate justice and the country’s role in global environmental governance

Abstract

This article analyzes the first four letters from the Brazilian presidency of COP 30 considering the concept of climate justice and Brazil’s role in global environmental governance. Through theoretical research with a qualitative approach, based on document analysis and literature review, the authors’ main goal was to determine whether the Brazilian government’s statements regarding COP 30 express a genuine commitment to climate justice or merely recall the so-called “myth of Brazilian climate leadership”, as diagnosed by Franchini and Viola (2019). The methodology involves comparing the letters’ discourse with theoretical frameworks on Brazil’s role in global environmental governance, environmental racism, and climate (in)justice. The results indicate that, although the documents present ambitious rhetoric and acknowledge structural inequalities and the importance of multilateral cooperation, there are significant gaps between discourse and practice – particularly concerning the lack of intersectional public policies and the low investment in preventive measures to address the climate emergency – which highlight the legal challenges faced by the country in consolidating genuine climate leadership. The article concludes that, unless Brazil confronts its internal structural contradictions, it risks missing the historic opportunity to turn COP 30 into an effective milestone for climate justice, thereby perpetuating the myth that has long prevented it from assuming a leading role in tackling the climate crisis.