Guaranteeing a seat at the table at COP30 for voices on the climate emergency’s frontlines
ORIGINAL POST FROM GLOBAL WITNESS
With Brazil’s president branding COP30 the “turnaround COP”, environmental defenders, Indigenous Peoples and other experts set out Host Country Agreement recommendations to meaningfully include climate frontline voices at the conference. Plurales has directly contributed to the development of these recommendations.
As Brazil prepares to host COP30 in Belém, expectations are high for it to rise to the occasion — not just as a venue, but as a global leader in shaping a democracy that benefits the environment.
Brazil’s recent political transformations and renewed commitment to inclusive governance offer a unique opportunity to set a precedent for how climate negotiations can and should be conducted.
Crucial to this moment is the Host Country Agreement (HCA) — a legal accord between the UNFCCC and the host government that establishes the terms for organising COP.
The HCA governs essential elements such as security, visa access, participant rights, freedom of assembly and protection of personal data. In short, it shapes the civic space available for environmental and human rights defenders, Indigenous Peoples and civil society during the conference. It can either reinforce democratic participation or place harmful restrictions on it.
Recommendations for the Host Country Agreement guiding COP30
We have published some recommendations for how the HCA should work in practice below, so that environmental and human rights defenders, Indigenous Peoples, traditional communities, land and environmental defenders and other frontline groups are genuinely included in the negotiation spaces that affect them.
Over 140 organisations have endorsed these proposals, calling on the Brazilian government and the UNFCCC Secretariat to embed clear rights-based commitments into the HCA.
Summary of HCA recommendations
These recommendations outline specific legal, operational and procedural measures to be included in the COP30 Host Country Agreement. They are rooted in international human rights standards and lessons learned from past COPs.
Human rights protections
Explicit guarantee of rights to peaceful assembly, freedom of expression, access to information and public participation
Non-retaliation clauses prohibiting surveillance, detention or reprisals against participants during or after the COP
Transparency and accountability
Mandatory disclosure of all sponsorships; bans on sponsorships from entities with environmentally harmful records
A conflict-of-interest policy requiring public declarations by organisers
Mechanisms to receive and respond to complaints of human rights violations
Observer access and civic space
Clear rules to ensure unrestricted access for observers to negotiation rooms
Publication of all requirements and deadlines for side-events and civil society participation
Security and legal support
Human rights training for security personnel; ban on excessive use of force
A rapid response protocol and legal aid system for at-risk defenders
Deployment of neutral observers to document abuses or threats
Digital and physical accessibility
Venues must be accessible to people with disabilities and offer family-friendly spaces
Virtual participation must be supported with high-quality technology infrastructure
Information must be available in multiple formats and languages
Visa and travel access
Free, fast and fair visa issuance, including e-visas and non-digital alternatives
Designation of a visa focal point and prohibition of discriminatory visa denials
Accommodation and affordability
Government coordination to provide affordable and safe lodging for participants, especially those from the Global South
Privacy and data protection
Prohibition of spyware and unlawful surveillance; strong safeguards for personal data of all participants
Full public disclosure of the agreement
The full text of the Host Country Agreement must be published immediately after signing, with no redactions related to civic freedoms or participation
By adopting these recommendations, Brazil can make COP30 a landmark event in the history of environmental negotiations – one where civil society is not only present but meaningfully heard.
*Image: Cícero Pedrosa Neto / Global Witness
