SAO PAULO — With just nine months to go before the annual United Nations climate summit, COP30, set to be held in Belem, Brazil, accommodation prices have skyrocketed, raising concerns among potential attendees. Host city Belem, positioned in the Amazon rainforest, is facing a dire shortage of housing, leading property owners to set exorbitant prices even for modest rooms with shared bathrooms.
For instance, one of the last listed rooms on Booking.com—a flat apartment—has an outrageous price tag of $15,266 per night for a single occupant, a staggering leap from the previous rate of $158, representing a mind-blowing increase of 9,562%. To stay for 15 days during the conference this November would cost nearly $228,992, enough to purchase a four-bedroom apartment in a premier neighborhood of Belem.
Airbnb listings reflect a similar trend; for example, rooms with shared bathrooms in Ananindeua, a nearby impoverished city, have a shocking daily rate of $9,320—a stark contrast to the typical rate that could be as low as $11 per day. Even in more affluent areas, renting an apartment suitable for eight guests can reach up to $446,595 for a two-week stay.
Local architect and influencer Renato Balaguer expressed his disbelief at seeing a rundown apartment listed for $10,000 over 11 days, jokingly likening the situation to “putting gringos in captivity” and suggesting such pricing reflects false imprisonment.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who positions himself as an environmental advocate, has lauded the decision to host COP30 in the Amazon, which plays a crucial role in climate regulation by absorbing significant amounts of carbon dioxide. This year is essential as participating countries are expected to present updated pledges aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Civic groups are particularly eager to be part of the summit due to Brazil’s allowance for protests and free expression, unlike the previous host countries—Azerbaijan, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt—where such freedoms are severely curbed.
Brazil, the most populous nation in Latin America, has previously hosted numerous global events such as the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and the World Cup in 2014 with matches played across various cities. However, Belem—a port city on the Amazon’s outskirts—lacks the infrastructure of larger cities, sparking doubts about its capability to effectively host COP30.
Organizers anticipate an attendance of approximately 50,000 participants, with last year’s event in Baku, Azerbaijan, attracting 54,148 attendees and a record turnout of 83,884 in Dubai. While the federal government and state officials in Pará did not respond to inquiries regarding available room numbers in Belem—a bustling metropolis of 2.5 million where the median monthly income is $920—some individuals who reserved hotels more than a year in advance are now facing cancellation of those bookings.
Rising accommodation prices are also impacting confirmed reservations. A European nonprofit that had secured a room for $2,000 in December experienced a price increase to $7,200 just two weeks later. Various attendees such as environmental NGOs, activists, and journalists are now uncertain about their plans for participation due to these soaring costs.
Roberta Alves, Mercy Corps’ deputy communications director, indicated that planning for COP30 amidst the limited and pricey accommodations has created hurdles for engagement. The organization, which has actively participated in previous COP conferences advocating for green energy transitions and climate change adaptations, is looking for alternate arrangements from COP30 organizers to ensure the inclusivity of those most affected by the climate crisis.
Property owners defending their pricing suggest it stems from supply and demand issues, alongside their high operational costs. Gisleno da Silva, who listed a room for nearly $9,320 per day, mentioned that his monthly utility bills already amount to 5,000 Brazilian real ($860), asserting that he already has prospective tenants interested at this rate.
In response to criticism over accommodation costs, the Brazilian government announced plans to add 26,000 bed spaces, which will include options like docked cruise ships, public schools, new hotels, and military facilities. The COP30 event organizers pledged that accredited participants would soon have access to book accommodations through an online platform.
Valter Correia, the special secretary for COP30, acknowledged the sharp rise in rental prices, attributing it to real estate speculation, but expressed confidence that the situation would stabilize as more accommodations become available due to government interventions.
Despite the prevailing challenges, many advocates support Belem’s role as the host city, emphasizing its importance relative to the significance of convening the world’s leading climate meetings in the largest rainforest. Environmentalist Priscilla Santos, from the Amazonians for Climate Network, criticized the detractors of Belem in a recent article, arguing that their criticisms are rooted in colonial biases and that disregarding discussions about saving the Amazon within its own territory is counterproductive.
Some property managers, concerned about their public image amid soaring rental prices, distanced themselves from such speculation. One local manager, Fabrício de Menezes, humorously pointed out that an apartment listed at $21,800 daily during COP was still pricier than rooms in renowned luxury hotels like the Jumeirah Burj Al Arab in Dubai.
Carlos Netto, another property manager, condemned the inflated pricing practices, stating he would never advocate for such exorbitant charges and questioned whether owners thought potential guests might be naive about reasonable prices.
