In an interview with Valor Econômico, Izabella Teixeira, Member of CEBRI’s International Advisory Board and former Minister of the Environment (2010–2016), argued that COP30—which will be held in Belém this year—needs to have a clear identity. In her view, this milestone should represent the beginning of a global debate on "land transition," a concept that proposes to expand and deepen discussions on sustainability in the use of natural resources.

A negotiator of the Paris Agreement and Co-Chair of the United Nations Environment Programme's (UNEP) International Resource Panel (IRP), Izabella argues that just as the world has dedicated the last three decades to energy transition, it is time to start discussing land transition. "The forest, besides being an environmental asset, is also a climate asset," she states.

The Trustee proposes that Brazil lead a new global discussion starting from COP30. "Land transition is not just about deforestation," she emphasizes. This narrow view has reduced the role of countries with vast natural resources to passive agents, solely focused on containing environmental damage. "Brazil is the country that produces the most life on the planet. We need to talk about environmental assets, not just liabilities."

According to Izabella, this new paradigm should encompass strategic topics such as agricultural models, the production of agricultural pesticides, and pathways for a new approach to mining.

In the interview, Izabella Teixeira also reflected on the ten years of the Paris Agreement, the breach of the 1.5°C temperature increase barrier, and highlighted the importance of Ambassador André Corrêa do Lago's decision, President of COP30 and also a Trustee at CEBRI, to structure the conference in two tracks: one for negotiations between governments and another for the action agenda aimed at non-state actors. The former Minister also addressed central themes such as climate governance and energy and ecological transitions.

The complete article, in English, is available HERE.