Latvia and Lithuania are reportedly considering remote participation in the Climate Change Conference in Brazil due to high hotel prices
Latvia and Lithuania may skip this year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference in Brazil due to high accommodation costs, Reuters has reported. The cost of lodging in the host city of Belem is reportedly forcing the Baltic states to participate remotely.
The summit, known as COP30, will be held November 10-21. It is expected to gather leaders, climate negotiators and experts to discuss progress on emissions targets and adaptation, with a focus on protecting the rainforest.
Lithuania said its delegation may stay away after being quoted prices for accommodation exceeding $500 per person per night.
Latvia’s climate minister, Kaspars Melnis, told the news agency that his country had asked conference organizers if its negotiators could join by video.
”We already basically have a decision that it’s too expensive for us,” he said. “We have a responsibility to our country’s budget.”
The two EU countries are facing widening budget deficits as defense and social costs surge. Latvia’s 2025 deficit is projected at 3% of GDP, while Lithuania’s shortfall is forecast at 2.3% of GDP, according to the IMF.
Reuters noted that some of the world’s smallest and most at-risk countries are also being forced to consider sending fewer representatives. Ilana Seid, chair of the Alliance of Small Island States, said the lack of affordable options places them at “a severe disadvantage.” She emphasized that smaller delegations would miss key experts at talks that directly affect their survival.
Evans Njewa, who leads the group representing the world’s poorest nations in the talks, said many countries are still deciding whether they can afford to attend.
”We’re receiving a high volume of concerns … and numerous requests for support,” he told Reuters. “Regrettably, our capacity is limited, which may affect the size of delegations.”
With the summit less than six weeks away, 81 countries are still negotiating for accommodation, while 87 have secured lodging, according to Brazil’s COP30 Presidency.
Brazil has pledged to provide hotel rooms for developing countries at rates under $220, and rooms under $600 for wealthy nations. The UN has also increased financial support for low-income countries.
