COP30 Climate Summit Accommodation Challenges
The 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP30, is set to take place in Belem, Brazil. However, concerns have emerged over soaring accommodation costs. These may hinder participation, especially from developing countries. The issue has prompted urgent discussions among UN climate officials and diplomats.
Background of COP30
COP30 is the 30th annual UN climate summit. It gathers nearly all countries worldwide to negotiate global climate action. This year’s venue is Belem, a city in the Amazon rainforest region of Brazil. The summit expects about 45,000 participants including negotiators, government officials, activists, and media.
Accommodation Crisis
Belem has only 18,000 hotel beds usually available. The demand for rooms has driven prices to unprecedented levels. Some hotels charge up to $700 per night. This far exceeds the UN’s daily subsistence allowance of $149 for poorer nations. High costs risk excluding many delegates from low-income countries.
Impact on Developing Countries
Developing nations have voiced strong concerns about affordability. They fear limited accommodation will force them to reduce delegation sizes.
Brazil’s Response
Brazil is expanding capacity to meet the demand. The government secured two cruise ships to add 6,000 beds. It also opened bookings for cheaper accommodation priced up to $220 per day. While an improvement, this still exceeds the UN allowance. Brazil promised to revisit the issue and report progress in a follow-up meeting.
Broader Implications
The accommodation challenge marks logistical hurdles in hosting large global summits. It exposes inequalities in international climate negotiations. Wealthier countries also face difficulties securing rooms. Some European nations have considered reducing delegation sizes. These constraints could affect the quality and inclusiveness of climate talks.
Future Preparations
The UN climate bureau held an emergency meeting to address these issues. Brazil committed to finding solutions before the summit in November. The next review is scheduled for August 11, 2025. Organisers aim to ensure all countries can participate fully in COP30.
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