At the gateway to the Amazon, politicians, diplomats, scientists, business leaders and non-governmental organisations are gathering to talk climate change.

The rainforest city of Belem is a symbolic choice for Brazil, keen to draw attention to a flagship fund that rewards countries for keeping carbon-absorbing forests intact.

Hosting tens of thousands of delegates in the small city has been a logistical headache, prompting a scramble to source enough beds.

However, the Brazilian government pressed ahead with the host town, a choice designed to centre the Amazon - known as the "lungs of the world" - and its First Nations custodians.

Richie Merzian, chief executive officer of the Clean Energy Investor Group and a veteran of COP summits, says Brazil's determination is an apt analogy for g

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