Pantanal states discuss demands and priorities for COP30 at the Pre-COP of the Biomes

The Pre-COP of the Biomes, held in Campo Grande, gathers governments, civil society, and experts to debate climate solutions for the biome

By Presidência da COP30

On Tuesday, September 30, the states of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul presented the Pantanal’s demands and expectations for COP30 during the Pre-COP of the Biomes in Campo Grande (MS). Ms. Ana Toni, COP30 CEO, emphasized the opportunity to leverage the Belém conference to strengthen the link between climate protection and biodiversity, as well as the role of states and municipalities in addressing climate change. 

“Here in the Pantanal, we see the effects of climate change, but we also have a unique opportunity,” said the CEO, referring to the historic drought that affected the biome from 2019 to 2024, intensified by the climate crisis. “We are working with local and state governments to intensify the synergy between the climate and biodiversity conventions, which will be one of the major themes of COP30.”

In addition to opening the event, the CEO participated in a panel discussion about the role of subnational governments. The panel also included the Governor of MS, Mr. Eduardo Riedel; the Governor of ES and President of the Green Brazil Consortium, Mr. Renato Casagrande; and the Deputy Secretary of the Environment of MT, Mr. Alex Marega. Representatives from the public and private sectors, academia, and other groups also participated in the meeting. 

The Pantanal Pre-COP was organized by the Green Brazil Consortium, in partnership with the Government of Mato Grosso do Sul and supported by the Brazil Climate Center, following a call from the COP30 Presidency. The events are expected to result in a joint political commitment from the states and the announcement of a “Subnational Solutions Bank,” which seeks to consolidate and share successful experiences implemented by the states and create a reference base for effective and replicable climate policies.

“We want COP Belém to be a COP of Implementation, and nothing will be implemented if we do not involve states and municipalities,” said Mr. Casagrande. “We are in a major collective effort so that each state has its own climate change policy, decarbonization plan, and adaptation plan — a joint effort so that all have an organized action plan.”

During the session on the role of subnational governments, the CEO stressed that, for the first time, Brazil has included the role of subnational governance in its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). She stated that reinforcing the need for engagement of states and municipalities worldwide is essential for COP30.

“I hope our COP crystallizes this place of leadership that subnational governments have always had, but which was not formally recognized in global climate policy,” said the CEO.

Ms. Ana Toni also stated that COP30 should be a moment for Brazil to present itself to the world as a provider of climate solutions that combine conservation and prosperity. Riedel, in turn, emphasized his state’s efforts for the conservation and sustainable development of the southern Pantanal:

“Mato Grosso do Sul has made a major contribution by instituting, through preservation legislation—the Pantanal Law—a very strong economic instrument through the climate fund and its environmental service financing programs,” said Mr. Riedel during the seminar. “Each state, each environment will pursue its own product, its own line of action. Mato Grosso do Sul has done this. And we are bringing the private sector into this discussion, because it is not an exclusive role of the public sector.”

Pantanal Charter

During the debates, the Pantanal Charter was presented to the COP30 CEO, a document prepared by the Forum on Climate Change of Mato Grosso do Sul that reaffirms the biome’s contribution to the global climate agenda. Drafted by representatives of official bodies, civil society, academia, and others, the charter highlights the Pantanal’s vulnerability to climate change.

“The impacts of climate change, expressed in severe droughts, extreme floods, and large-scale fires, are compounded by infrastructure deficiencies related to health, education, access, and basic sanitation — the result of a historical process. These factors compromise not only environmental conservation but also the quality of life of Pantanal populations,” the charter states.

Among its conclusions, the authors recommend the development of an Integrated Sustainable Development Plan for the Pantanal that is not limited to the borders of the states encompassing the biome. They also highlight the adoption of instruments for payment for environmental services and the promotion of bioeconomy and tourism, along with strengthening scientific and technological infrastructure to prevent and respond to extreme events.

Pre-COPs of the Biomes

The Pantanal COP was the third in a series of regional climate conferences held in Brazil in preparation for COP30. The first two took place in the Atlantic Forest (Curitiba) and the Caatinga (Fortaleza). Two further editions are already scheduled for October 9: the Cerrado (Brasília) and the Pampas (Porto Alegre).

The Pre-COPs of the Biomes are the result of a coordinated effort by governors’ consortia responding to the “COP30 Mutirão” (COP30 collective efforts), created to build a national climate agenda based on local realities. The initiative underscores that all Brazilian biomes have a voice and leadership role in addressing the climate crisis — and that none can be left out of the debate.