(C) Transparency International
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Opening statement by Maíra Martini, CEO of Transparency International [1]

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Date: 2025-11 

As COP30 begins in Belém, the credibility of global efforts to tackle the climate crisis hangs in the balance. Will governments prioritise public interest or continue to let fossil fuel industries dictate our climate future?

Over the past year, we have shown through evidence, analysis, and collective action that high-polluting industries continue to distort climate negotiations, delay progress, and weaken public trust. Brazil’s recent approval of oil drilling in the Amazon is a stark warning that political and economic interests still shape decision making - even amid widespread recognition of the urgent need to transition away from fossil fuels. This raises serious concerns that the summit could become a blueprint for back-tracking, and that is exactly what we cannot afford if we are to achieve real climate progress.

At the same time, citizens and civil society are refusing to accept the status quo and are demanding accountability. From our open letter calling for limits on fossil fuel influence, to our research exposing hidden lobbying at climate talks, to Brazilian citizens walking 150 kilometers to demand transparency in climate investments - the message is clear: without integrity and an end to undue influence, the transition away from fossil fuels will not happen. And without this transition, there can be no meaningful climate action.

We have collaborated with civil society, the UNFCCC Secretariat, and the COP30 Presidency to introduce new transparency tools and turn these talks into a summit of accountability. We have urged governments to adopt practical measures, including a self-assessment checklist for national delegations, and steps to strengthen integrity within the UNFCCC. But progress remains fragile and far too slow.

At COP30, governments have a duty to put people and the planet before fossil fuel interests – committing to a true phase-out, protecting civic space, and ensuring that the findings of the COP30 Brazil Presidency-led “Global Ethical Stocktake” directly inform the summit’s outcomes.

Transparency and integrity are non-negotiable. COP30 is a defining test: act now to phase out fossil fuels or fail the planet yet again. If governments neglect to protect the integrity of this process, they risk dismantling the credibility of global climate efforts entirely.

For press inquiries and interview requests, please contact: Transparency International Press Office: [email protected]

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[1] Url: https://www.transparency.org/en/press/opening-statement-by-maíra-martini-ceo-of-transparency-international

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