By Abdullahi Lukman
Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has appointed entrepreneur Dan Ioschpe as the High-Level Climate Champion for COP30, the climate conference scheduled to be held in Belém, Brazil, in November 2025.
Ioschpe’s role is to focus on advancing climate action and supporting the COP30 Presidency in enhancing voluntary climate commitments, initiatives, and coalitions for the implementation of the Paris Agreement.
Ioschpe, who is the Chairman of Ioschpe-Maxion and a board member of several major Brazilian companies, including WEG, Marcopolo, and Embraer, expressed his commitment to driving climate action.
He emphasized the importance of energy transition for global socio-economic development, particularly for Brazil, and the need to engage a broad range of societal actors to take advantage of various climate initiatives.
“I hope to support the COP30 Presidency in advancing climate action, always involving the broadest range of actors in society,” said Ioschpe.
The role of High-Level Climate Champion, first introduced at COP21 in 2015, is intended to encourage ambitious climate action from non-governmental stakeholders, including cities, regions, businesses, investors, and civil society.
High-Level Champions are tasked with linking voluntary climate initiatives to national government efforts and helping to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.
COP30 President-elect, Ambassador André Corrêa do Lago, praised Ioschpe’s appointment, noting his exceptional ability to connect Brazil’s priorities with private sector action, as demonstrated during Brazil’s presidency of the G20 in 2024.
“Dan Ioschpe will play a vital role in the success of COP30, ensuring the private sector contributes meaningfully to the climate agenda,” said do Lago.
Ioschpe will be supported in his role by the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action, which was launched at COP22 to engage various actors in climate initiatives.
Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Climate Change Secretariat (UNFCCC), also welcomed Ioschpe’s appointment, highlighting his expertise in business and his capacity to unite stakeholders to accelerate climate action.
The Action Agenda, one of COP30’s four main pillars, will be central to Ioschpe’s role. The Agenda has launched over 475 initiatives involving more than 40,000 businesses, cities, and organizations.
Ana Toni, COP30 CEO, emphasized the significance of the Action Agenda, stating that it will play an even more crucial role in the next decade of the Paris Agreement.
Ioschpe’s two-year term will involve aligning the COP30 Action Agenda with the implementation of the Paris Agreement, particularly focusing on the Global Stocktake (GST) from COP28 and the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of countries.
He will work closely with Nigar Arpadarai, the High-Level Climate Champion for COP29, which took place in Baku, Azerbaijan, in 2024.
A Youth Climate Champion will also be appointed, with 24 candidates currently under evaluation by the COP30 presidency.
This dual approach aims to strengthen both generational and sectoral engagement in addressing global climate challenges.
Ioschpe’s appointment marks a step in Brazil’s leadership role at COP30, positioning the country to foster deeper private sector involvement in global climate action.