Mutirão (collective effort) for travel and tourism: how can we work together to build a better future?

President Lula chose to frame the final COP30 text as the Mutirão – a Portuguese term with Indigenous Brazilian origin meaning ‘collective effort’. Far from being an abstract concept, mutirão is all about practical, hands-on mobilisation – a call to action to show that the climate crisis will not be solved through isolated commitments, but through a shared responsibility and a co-ordinated effort across sectors and governments.

But how much was really achieved at COP30, and how can the travel and tourism industry work together to build a better future? We invited Maeve Campbell (independent climate journalist) and Susanne Etti (General Manager Climate at Intrepid Travel) to explore this in more detail.

Watch the full conversation and dig deeper into the key talking points below.

The COP30 consensus is the floor… not the ceiling

The COP30 Mutirão was a landmark deal that combined mitigation, finance and trade barriers into one consensus-based agreement, with a number of promising outcomes:

• Adaptation finance was tripled, from $40 billion to $120 billion a year, to help countries build resilience to extreme weather and climate impacts.
• $6.5 billion was committed to the Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF), a mechanism that pays countries to keep their tropical forests standing.
• Travel and tourism firmly had a seat at the table, with dedicated thematic days for the second year running.
• Science also stepped into the conversation, with a dedicated science pavilion for the first time which saw scientists, businesses and civil society working together.
• Positive steps were made through the Belém Health Action Plan (BHAP)
• There were other encouraging strides made outside of the official COP30 text. Colombia announced the world’s first ever dedicated fossil fuel conference, taking place in April 2026.
• There was also a powerful presence of indigenous people in Belém, both protesting and making clear that the world’s supply chains are tied to deforested and contested land and that respect for indigenous rights should be central to credible sustainability strategies.

When it comes to global climate action, the COP30 consensus is the floor – the bare minimum of what the world must do – not the ceiling that limits what is possible. – Al Gore (Former US Vice President)

But this was against the backdrop of the final COP30 text making no mention of fossil fuels. The omission came despite governments threatening to walk out, and despite unanimous scientific consensus that a rapid and managed fossil fuel phase out is essential to keep global warming within 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels a reality. The COP30 agreement fell short, and there’s much more to be done.

Climate risk is now seen as a business risk

Climate risk is no longer seen as a fringe issue, it’s recognised as a business risk. But gaps remain between climate finance and implementation.

Climate action is a matter of justice and more often than not, those that are least responsible bear the brunt. – Susanne Etti (Intrepid Travel)

The Global South in particular is seeing the impact of severe weather events as planetary boundaries are being breached. Companies need to act boldly and act now to put climate finance towards real implementation.

Science and data need to guide these decisions. In a political landscape of increasing levels of disinformation and mistrust, it’s more important than ever for businesses to support science.

Listen to science, be guided by science, and also encourage each other to elevate women into leadership positions. – Susanne Etti (Intrepid Travel)

One such initiative is Homeward Bound – a not-for-profit that uplifts women and non-binary people with a STEMM background to take leadership positions, in light of the global health, climate and biodiversity crises. The one-year programme focuses on the power of science and collaboration to shape a more sustainable future.

Susanne highlighted how there’s much to be learned by bridging diversity and listening deeply. Learning from others, developing project ideas together and exploring how we can address global challenges together.

Tourism’s role in adaptation and resilience planning

For mutirão to really be achieved in travel and tourism, climate action must be inclusive, urgent and always grounded in justice. The industry needs to listen – to understand diverse priorities, embrace collaboration and a collective push to solve complex challenges.

Collectively, travel and tourism must show up for climate resilience finance, supporting destination communities and those most affected, and investing in adaptation and resilience.

Nature also provides a lot of the solutions. Restoring mangroves and wetlands can have a hugely positive impact on biodiversity and wildlife, as just one example. There’s much to be achieved from understanding what matters to destinations, to communities, and working collaboratively to spark new ideas.

Tourism as a cultural and emotional connector

Travel and tourism has the power to connect people globally, through cross-cultural traditions, languages and experiences.

Lots of us are imperfect environmentalists trying our best. We want to experience other places and show our respect, but we have to be mindful of our impact. – Maeve Campbell (independent climate journalist)

Maeve highlighted The Guardian short film ‘Guilt Trip: pilots torn between flight and the fight for the planet‘. It charts the story of pilots who had seen the effects of climate change from the sky, and came together in a support group to listen to each other, discuss the impact it had on their mental health, and what to do about it.

Ultimately, listening to each other – to businesses, to communities, to local people, to destinations – was a key theme of the discussion. An essential ingredient towards achieving mutirão within the travel and tourism industry, and building a more resilient, sustainable future.