By Carlos Meneses
São Paulo, Sep 1 (EFE) – Former Peruvian minister Manuel Pulgar-Vidal, one of the architects of the Paris Agreement, warns that President Donald Trump’s climate policies may be temporary. But he stresses they will cause lasting damage that must be reversed, just as world leaders prepare for COP30 in Brazil.
Building “trenches” to defend the energy transition
In the face of threats to the energy transition, Pulgar-Vidal says now is the time to build economic and social “trenches” to safeguard progress.
He spoke in a virtual interview with EFE, two months ahead of the next global climate summit, to be held in Belém, a city in the Brazilian Amazon.
“Because the trade war also affects climate summits,” warned the former president of COP20, who will be a keynote speaker at the 3rd Latin American Green Economy Forum, organized by Agencia EFE in São Paulo on Thursday.
Trade wars and political pressure
Pulgar-Vidal explained that tariff wars and political pressure are weighing on domestic budgets. They could undermine financial plans for transitioning away from fossil fuels.
For instance, he noted:
“The United States has said it will be watching very closely who votes in favor of the International Maritime Organization’s net-zero emissions policy, and there could be retaliatory measures. That’s the level of threat we’re facing.”
Trump’s climate stance and its ripple effect
The former Peruvian environment minister (2011–2016) noted that Trump has already carried out some of his climate threats, such as withdrawing from the Paris Agreement again and dismantling scientific agencies.
He added that Trump’s stance is influencing countries in Europe.
Even so, he sees the Republican leader’s administration as “conjunctural,” but not without consequences.
“We need to understand there will be a level of damage that will have to be reversed later. Fortunately, the benefit of the climate agenda was always conceived in the long term. We always knew that along the way, there would be accidents.”
Pulgar-Vidal illustrated this with a metaphor:
“Imagine you’re driving from northern Canada to southern Argentina. You know you’re going to find different conditions on the roads: potholes, flat tires. That’s the journey. Maybe right now we’re crossing the Darién jungle (between Colombia and Panama), where there are no roads and we feel lost.”
“Very optimistic” about Brazil’s role at COP30
Despite these challenges, Pulgar-Vidal said he is “very optimistic” about COP30, citing Brazil’s ability as host to lead multilateral processes.
“They have always been able to surprise us with a successful outcome, even in complex scenarios,” he said.
The former minister also argued that, given the lack of political will, the summit must be one in which economic sectors show their maturity. They should continue to affirm that the path toward a green transition is “irreversible.”
“That is the only way to overcome political obstacles and then move into the social dimension as well,” he added.
Expectations and challenges for Belém
Pulgar-Vidal does not expect major changes in phasing out hydrocarbons. But he does see room to agree on a roadmap for climate financing acceptable to all parties.
Regarding criticism of logistical problems in Belém, partly due to exorbitant hotel prices, he urged organizers to shift the narrative toward the Amazon’s needs.
“We are going to have (logistical) problems; that’s a reality. But we don’t need a five-star hotel with all the comforts. What we need, ultimately, is to understand how the planet works, and the best place for that is a region like the Amazon.”
Green Economy Forum spotlight
COP30 will be one of the topics at the 3rd Latin American Green Economy Forum, organized by Agencia EFE in São Paulo on Sept. 4.
The event will bring together officials, experts, and business representatives, supported by Imaflora, the Climate Observatory, and IBMEC University, with sponsorship from Norte Energia, Lots Group, and ApexBrasil, the Brazilian government’s trade and investment promotion agency. EFE