Brazil’s COP30 draft drops fossil fuel roadmap, triggering pushback from over 30 nations demanding a credible transition plan before Friday’s deadline.
COP30 Faces Showdown as Fossil Fuel Plan Removed
Rising Tensions Over Draft Deal
The UN climate summit in Belém, Brazil, entered a critical phase on Friday after the host nation removed all references to a fossil fuel transition from its draft agreement. The new text, released early Friday, omitted previously proposed options for reducing reliance on oil, gas, and coal — a move that immediately sparked international backlash.
Nations Challenge Removal of Roadmap
More than 30 countries, including France, Germany, Colombia, South Korea, and the Marshall Islands, sent a letter late Thursday urging COP30 leadership to restore a commitment to a clear pathway away from fossil fuels. They argued the draft “does not meet the minimum conditions for a credible COP outcome” and warned they could not support the agreement without a transition roadmap.
Deadline Pressure Builds
The draft text emerged hours before the summit’s scheduled 6 p.m. local time conclusion, setting the stage for intense last-minute negotiations. Delegates are preparing to outline their positions publicly in a plenary session starting at 8 a.m. ET. Like previous COP summits, officials acknowledge a high likelihood of running past the deadline in search of consensus.
Divisions Over Fossil Fuel Commitments
Debates around the future of fossil fuels have dominated the two-week conference involving nearly 200 governments. While dozens of countries pushed for detailed guidance on phasing down fossil fuels — reaffirming commitments made at COP28 — resistance from major oil-producing nations, including Saudi Arabia, has stalled progress. Negotiators from developing nations say they remain open to discussing phase-out goals but argue the current text does not sufficiently address their broader concerns, particularly around climate finance.
Finance Gaps Deepen Negotiation Strain
The draft calls for tripling global climate adaptation financing by 2030 compared to 2025 levels. However, it does not clarify whether these funds would come from wealthy countries, multilateral lenders, or private institutions. This ambiguity has worried lower-income nations that rely heavily on public financing to strengthen infrastructure against heatwaves, storms, and rising sea levels — investments that often lack commercial returns and struggle to attract private capital.
Trade Issues Enter Climate Agenda
The proposed deal would also initiate formal discussions on climate-related trade issues at future COP summits, involving governments and organizations such as the World Trade Organization. This marks a diplomatic win for countries like China, which have long advocated for trade considerations within climate negotiations. However, the move may heighten tensions with the European Union, whose carbon border levy has faced criticism from South Africa, India, and others who argue it imposes unfair economic burdens.
