The latest UN global climate summit has ended with a compromise deal that omits any mention of curbing the fossil fuels that are driving global warming.
COP30, which was hosted by Brazil in the Amazonian rain-forest city of Belém, concluded on 22 November. In the summit’s final communiqué, however, gas- and oil-rich states blocked any mention of reining in fossil fuels.
A trio of South American nations, led by Colombia’s delegation, had joined the European Union (EU) in demanding that the final deal include language on a transition away from fossil fuels. However, after a coalition of countries, including Saudi Arabia, said any fossil fuel mention was off limits, the EU agreed – on the final morning – not to block a deal, even though it did not agree with the conclusion.
The summit, which works on the basis of consensual decision, was unable, therefore, to agree on a ‘roadmap’ or discussion paper about how best to phase out the use of fossil fuels.
Despite being boycotted by the US federal government, COP30 was attended by 194 countries and the next summit will be held in Turkey.
In his concluding remarks at the summit, UN climate change executive secretary Simon Stiell said: ‘Many countries wanted to move faster on fossil fuels, finance and responding to spiralling climate disasters. I understand that frustration, and many of those I share myself – but let’s not ignore how far this COP has moved us forward.’
Referring to booming investment in renewable energy, Stiell said: ‘Our direction is clear: the shift from fossil fuels to renewables and resilience is unstoppable.’
He also pointed to the 194 nations’ agreement that ‘the global transition to low greenhouse gas emissions and climate resilience is irreversible, and the trend of the future’.
