With less than two months to go before the United Nations climate summit kicks off in Belem, Brazil, the city finds itself at the center of a global debate—a debate not just about carbon emissions and climate promises, but about who actually gets a seat at the table. As of September 21, 2025, only about 36% of the 196 countries invited to the pivotal COP30 conference have confirmed their attendance and paid for accommodations, according to a spokesperson for the conference presidency, as reported by the Associated Press. The reason? Skyrocketing lodging prices and an unexpected housing crunch in this Amazonian metropolis.
For many, the prospect of attending this year’s Conference of the Parties (COP30) has become a financial gamble. Pooja Tilvawala, who lives in London and heads the Youth Climate Collaborative, has put more than $46,000 of her own savings on the line to help young people make it to Belem. She’s spent countless hours negotiating contracts, putting down deposits, and building a housing portal specifically for youth attendees. "There’s always a huge number of fossil fuel company representatives there. And who’s going to be there to combat those voices and those negotiating influences?" Tilvawala told the Associated Press. "So I was like, ‘We need to be here.’"
But for many prospective participants, the math just doesn’t add up. Hotel prices in Belem have soared to three or even four times their usual rates, with some rooms reportedly going for as much as $1,000 a night. Even less formal options—private homes, love motels, and makeshift accommodations—are charging several hundred dollars per night. The sticker shock has forced some delegations, activists, and especially those from poorer nations and Indigenous groups, to reconsider whether they can afford to attend at all. According to AP, some organizations expect to send fewer people than usual, and many individuals have already decided to stay home. Others, undeterred, are considering camping in tents.
It’s a situation that’s left many wondering: how effective can these talks be if so many voices are priced out? The Brazilian government, for its part, has tried to ease the crunch. Climate Minister Marina Silva recently announced that 10 to 20 rooms have been made available "at accessible prices"—ranging from $200 to $600 per night—for vulnerable countries. In addition, two large cruise ships have been brought in, with the capacity to house up to 6,000 people. "Everybody will have access to participate in COP30," Silva said at a press briefing. "Facing climate change must be done by all of us, by all the parties of the convention and especially by those who are already living the consequences of climate change."
The city of Belem, nestled in the Amazon and chosen to highlight the challenges facing developing-world cities, was initially enthusiastic about hosting the event. Arnaldo Vaz Neto, a local financial adviser working with the Young Scholars Initiative to connect visitors with housing, reflected on the city’s spirit. "It’s kind of taught in our childhood to have this behavior of hospitality," he said. But as the scale of the event and the expectations of the United Nations became clear, reality set in. "It was difficult to manage expectations on both sides," Vaz Neto added, referencing the gulf between local hospitality norms and international standards.
Belem’s housing woes aren’t unique, either. According to Minister Silva, inflated accommodation prices are a recurring issue at almost every COP, with rates regularly tripling or quadrupling during the conference period. Hugo Pinheiro, who works for K Pine Mobile in Belem and has been matching delegations with housing, noted that "a lot of people here are expecting to charge $1,000 a night but that’s beyond the average." Still, even the "accessible" rooms arranged by the government are far from cheap by many standards.
Despite the hurdles, Brazilian officials remain optimistic. The COP30 presidency expects around 50,000 participants, and Belem currently offers about 53,000 beds—fewer people than at some recent COPs, but still a significant influx for the city. The stakes are undeniably high: this year’s summit is considered one of the most important climate negotiations in years, as countries are required to update and strengthen their carbon pollution plans.
Yet, the logistical headaches don’t end with housing. A construction workers’ strike that began on September 15 has impacted areas being prepared for COP30, adding another layer of uncertainty to the city’s preparations. In a move that underlines the seriousness of the situation, U.N. Climate Change executive secretary Simon Stiell sent a letter on September 9 urging U.N. agencies and related organizations to review the size of their delegations and reduce them where possible. The message was clear: the conference may need to scale down to match the city’s capacity.
The housing squeeze is especially hard on activists, NGOs, and youth groups, who often lack the resources of national delegations or corporate representatives. Hailey Campbell, who leads the youth-oriented NGO Care About Climate, described the current situation as unprecedented. Her group, which has attended COPs for over a decade, has "never faced such difficulties with access to accommodation." The organization even took to Instagram with the hashtag "#DontPriceUsOut" to draw attention to the issue.
For Hikaru Hayakawa, executive director of Climate Cardinals—a group that translates climate information and trains young people—the potential loss is more than just numbers. He’s heard from "maybe 30 or 40 people" who’ve already decided not to attend, far more than in previous years. "It could potentially be lost opportunity to build these global networks," Hayakawa said, emphasizing the importance of in-person connections and the vibrant civil society culture in Brazil.
Belem was chosen not just for its location in the Amazon but to underscore the very real problems faced by rapidly growing cities in the developing world. Yet, as the world’s attention turns to the city, the question remains: can a conference meant to unite the globe on climate action succeed if so many are left on the outside looking in?
As November approaches, the pressure is mounting—for organizers, for attendees, and for the city of Belem itself. The hope is that, despite the obstacles, the world’s climate negotiators, activists, and observers will find a way to come together. After all, as Minister Silva put it, "facing climate change must be done by all of us." The outcome of COP30 may well depend on whether that vision can be realized—not just in words, but in who is actually able to show up and be heard.