Climate Education
Exclusive: Panama’s Environment Minister Champions Climate Education at COP30
November 15, 2025
As COP30 enters its fourth day in Belém, Brazil, a growing global movement is calling for climate education to become a cornerstone of national strategies.
In an exclusive interview with Juan Carlos Navarro, the current Minister of Environment for Panama and the President of the Forum of Ministers of Latin America and the Caribbean (for the 2025–2027 term). Speaking with Rodolfo Beltrán, Director of South America, EARTHDAY.ORG, Minister Juan Navarro’s remarks arrive at a pivotal moment, as world leaders gather in the heart of the planet’s most biodiverse nation to chart the course for the next decade of climate action.
Ropo Beltran: As Panama assumes the Presidency of the Forum of Ministers of Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean, what do you consider to be the most important achievements of this major regional and international forum, and what are the joint future goals of this important forum of 33 ministers?
Minister Juan Navarro: When assuming the Presidency of the Forum, Panama recognizes that this platform is the main political space for environmental coordination in the continent. Historic results were achieved in Lima: a renewed agenda that responds to the triple planetary crisis with concrete action plans on restoration and water security, air quality, chemicals, waste, and methane reduction. Essential approaches were also incorporated, such as circular economy, gender equity, environmental education, and Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge.
Our goal now is clear: to turn these commitments into measurable results, drive their financing, and ensure that each country moves forward with the technical and political support of the Forum. Panama will work to strengthen implementation and cooperation among the 33 countries, ensuring that the voice of Latin America and the Caribbean is heard as one in global Forums!
Ropo Beltran: The Forum in Lima adopted key regional action plans to address climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. How will these collective measures—such as the updated Regional Action Plan on Ecosystem Restoration and Water Security, and the new programs on air quality, chemicals, and methane emissions—generate long-term social and economic benefits for the region?
Minister Juan Navarro: The decisions adopted in Lima respond to the urgency of addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution simultaneously. The new regional plans propose solutions with direct social and economic benefits: restoring ecosystems improves water and food security; reducing methane decreases pollution and creates opportunities for innovation in the waste sector; improving air quality reduces public health costs.
These measures are not only environmental—they are engines of sustainable development and green employment. Latin America can lead an ecological transition with social justice, and the Forum will be the platform that integrates science, policies, and financing to achieve it. We will also strengthen synergy among the three Rio Conventions: Climate Change, Biodiversity, and Desertification, to ensure coherence in implementation and maximize shared benefits for communities and ecosystems.
Rodolfo Beltran: With 33 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean now aligned under a renewed agenda, how do you envision this unity strengthening the region’s voice in global negotiations, particularly at COP30 in Belém at the end of this year?
Minister Juan Navarro:The regional unity achieved in Lima is a political message of enormous weight. In a fragmented global context, Latin America and the Caribbean demonstrated that they can speak with one voice. This will strengthen our common positions in spaces such as the United Nations Environment Assembly and COP30 in Belém. Panama will promote coordination among our three major Rio Conventions—Climate Change, Biodiversity, and Desertification—under a unified approach of coherence and integrated action. Only then can we negotiate as a bloc, attract financing, and demonstrate that the region is not a source of problems but a source of solutions.
Ropo Beltran: The Forum highlighted the Regional Action Plan for Jaguar Conservation as a symbol of ecological connectivity and biodiversity protection. Why are these emblematic species so important for the region, and how can their conservation contribute to broader ecosystem restoration goals?
Minister Juan Navarro:The Regional Action Plan for Jaguar Conservation symbolizes the connection between biodiversity and human well-being. Protecting the jaguar means maintaining biological corridors that ensure the health of our ecosystems, water regulation, and climate stability. These species are indicators of ecological balance and also of cultural identity. Their conservation drives sustainable tourism, strengthens local economies, and fosters regional pride in our natural heritage.
Panama is committed to promoting projects that integrate science, communities, and financing to protect these species and restore ecosystems at a regional scale.
Rodolfo Beltran: The Lima Declaration emphasized the importance of gender perspective, Indigenous knowledge, circular economy, and education for sustainability. In your opinion, how can education and public awareness be scaled so that communities in Latin America and the Caribbean become active participants in this transition?
Minister Juan Navarro: Environmental and climate education is the foundation of all transformation. If we want just and sustainable transitions, communities must be protagonists. From Panama, we will promote a regional pillar of education for sustainability involving schools, universities, media, and community organizations.
The Lima Declaration marked a turning point: incorporating gender perspective, traditional knowledge, and the circular economy into education. Our commitment is that these principles be reflected in public policies and national budgets. An informed and empowered citizenry is the best tool to care for the planet.
This week, Panama’s Ministry of Environment launched a public consultation on a draft decree to establish a National Carbon Market System (SNMCP), a measure that would consolidate the country’s regulated voluntary carbon market and activities under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. This represents a significant step forward for Latin America’s leadership in developing high-integrity, transparent carbon markets that generate real results for climate and nature.
With the public consultation of the Executive Decree creating the National Carbon Market System (SNMCP), Panama takes a historic step toward a climate model of high integrity, transparency, and environmental justice. This system consolidates our voluntary carbon market and connects it with the mechanisms of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, ensuring that every reduction or removal of emissions is real, measurable, and verifiable.
With the public consultation of the Executive Decree creating the National Carbon Market System (SNMCP), Panama takes a historic step toward a climate model of high integrity, transparency, and environmental justice. This system consolidates the role of the voluntary carbon market and connects it with other market mechanisms such as those under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, ensuring that every reduction or removal of emissions is real, measurable, and verifiable.
Through the SNMCP, Panama reaffirms its commitment to maintaining its status as a carbon-negative country, promoting a green economy that generates employment, protects forests, and directly benefits local and Indigenous communities. It is an example of the Latin American leadership we want to project toward COP30 in Belém, demonstrating that sustainable development and climate action can advance together.
Rodolfo Beltran: This week, Panama’s Ministry of Environment launched a public consultation on a draft decree to establish a National Carbon Market System (SNMCP), a measure that would consolidate the country’s regulated voluntary carbon market and activities under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. This represents a significant step forward for Latin America’s leadership in developing high-integrity, transparent carbon markets that generate real results for climate and nature. Tell us about that.
Minister Juan Navarro: With the public consultation of the Executive Decree creating the National Carbon Market System (SNMCP), Panama takes a historic step toward a climate model of high integrity, transparency, and environmental justice. This system consolidates our voluntary carbon market and connects it with the mechanisms of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, ensuring that every reduction or removal of emissions is real, measurable, and verifiable.
With the public consultation of the Executive Decree creating the National Carbon Market System (SNMCP), Panama takes a historic step toward a climate model of high integrity, transparency, and environmental justice. This system consolidates the role of the voluntary carbon market and connects it with other market mechanisms such as those under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, ensuring that every reduction or removal of emissions is real, measurable, and verifiable.
Through the SNMCP, Panama reaffirms its commitment to maintaining its status as a carbon-negative country, promoting a green economy that generates employment, protects forests, and directly benefits local and Indigenous communities. It is an example of the Latin American leadership we want to project toward COP30 in Belém, demonstrating that sustainable development and climate action can advance together.
Rodolfo Beltran: What is the role of civil society and climate education in NDCs?
Minister Juan Navarro: We deeply recognize and value the work of organizations such as EARTHDAY.ORG in promoting climate education as a pillar of Nationally Determined Contributions. Climate action cannot be limited to governments; it requires alliances with civil society, the private sector, and academia.
From Panama, we extend an invitation to EARTHDAY.ORG and other like-minded organizations to collaborate on regional initiatives such as the Nature Pledge, which promotes synergy among the three Rio Conventions and the integration of education, biodiversity, and climate under one framework.
We firmly believe that climate education can and should be a driver of regional cooperation and cultural transformation. Forming conscious and committed citizens is as important as reducing emissions. We will work with regional partners to turn education into a tool of resilience, equity, and joint action.
EARTHDAY.ORG’s Rodolfo Beltran as well as Bryce Coon, our Director of Education, and MAx Falcoe , our Global Advisor are on the ground at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, ensuring that climate education remains firmly on the agenda. Alongside ministers, negotiators, and civil society, they’ll be pushing for the inclusion of education in every single nation’sNDC. You can keep track of progress with our Climate Education NDCs Tracker.
