Itaipu Binacional showcased new technologies such as a hydrogen-powered boat and bio-syncrude, and participated in several events on the official conference agenda. Its dedicated pavilion in the Green Zone attracted more than 30,000 visitors.
Itaipu Binacional concludes this Friday (21st), in Belém, its most extensive participation ever in editions of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COPs). The company, which has followed climate negotiations since COP15 in Copenhagen, acted as a strategic partner of the Organization of Ibero-American States (OEI) and the COP30 Extraordinary Secretariat in organizing the first edition of this conference in Brazil.
“Itaipu’s participation in this COP reaffirms the company’s commitment to contributing through innovation, sustainable initiatives, and climate action toward a just energy transition in Brazil and Paraguay,”
Itaipu’s Brazilian Director-General, Enio Verri.
Itaipu’s dedicated pavilion, located in the Green Zone, attracted more than 30,000 visitors over the 11 days of the event, sharing information on sustainability, innovation, and culture. Around one thousand conference participants attended events and debates hosted by the binational entity in venues such as the Brazil pavilions in the Green and Blue Zones.
Another highlight was the Simone Federigi Benassi Studio, which streamed live interviews on Itaipu’s YouTube channel. A total of 67 guests—including authorities such as ministers, technical staff and company managers, influencers, and climate specialists—were interviewed, generating more than 35 hours of content.
Throughout the conference, Itaipu presented a set of social technologies and initiatives focused on the energy transition. Highlights included Latin America’s first 100% green-hydrogen-powered boat, which will remain in Belém to support recyclable waste collection on the region’s islands. Another launch was the pilot project for Sustainable Community Kitchens, an initiative of the Brazilian government supported by Itaipu. Located in Ananindeua, this kitchen uses biogas and photovoltaic solar energy to combat hunger and tackle energy poverty. In partnership with the Ministry of Human Rights and Citizenship (MDHC), the company also delivered four vessels that will support services to the population of Marajó Island.
During COP30, Itaipu announced its entry into the REC market (international renewable energy certificates). Itaipu’s certificate (I-REC) is expected to place Brazil as the world’s largest issuer of these certificates, ahead of China. Itaipu also introduced its synthetic oil (bio-syncrude), produced from green hydrogen and biogas, which serves as a base for sustainable aviation fuel.
During the event, Itaipu signed a Technical Cooperation Agreement with Brazil’s Ministry of the Environment for environmental education initiatives and, together with the national postal service (Correios) and Itaipu Parquetec, launched a commemorative stamp marking its participation in the COP. Another partnership with Correios and Itaipu Parquetec attracted many visitors by offering free postcard mailing from Belém. More than 20,000 postcards were sent worldwide during the conference. The postcards were produced by the Itaipu team with support from Itaipu Parquetec.
Debates
Itaipu promoted four side events in the Blue and Green Zones of the conference, bringing together state ministers, leaders of state-owned companies, academia, and civil society representatives. The debates addressed topics such as resilient and inclusive cities in the face of the climate crisis, participatory governance for the 2030 Agenda, bioeconomy and forest protection, and innovative solutions for energy systems.
Throughout the eleven days of COP30, Itaipu’s specialists and managers participated in numerous discussions, presenting best practices and the company’s perspective on the role of state-owned enterprises in the climate emergency, SDG promotion, water security, and climate transition and adaptation. They also joined debates on the water–energy–food nexus, intersections of gender, race, and territory in the energy transition, family farming and climate vulnerability, the future of hydropower in Latin America, and solutions for energy, mobility, and tourism.
Investments
Itaipu’s involvement in Belém began long before the start of COP activities on November 10. Through partnerships with the federal, state, and municipal governments, the company invested approximately 1.3 billion in essential infrastructure for the Amazon COP, such as the Outeiro Port and COP Village, as well as projects that will remain as long-term benefits for residents of the Pará capital. These include the Nova Doca Linear Park and São Joaquim Park; the renovation of São Brás Market (which became a major gathering point for conference participants) and the Ver-o-Peso complex; paving of streets such as Duque de Caxias Avenue (crucial for mobility during the COP); improvements to selective waste collection through support to four cooperatives of waste pickers (who managed event waste); the creation of Belém’s Bioeconomy Innovation District; and environmental education actions.
Itaipu’s activities at COP30 can be found at itaipu.gov.br/cop30 and the English website itaipu.energy.
