At cop30, more than 80 countries came together in a historic moment. They are calling for a detailed plan to get off fossil fuels. The gathering, taking place in Belém, Brazil, has highlighted the urgency of transitioning away from fossil fuels to combat climate change effectively. Brazil’s Environment Minister, Marina Silva, urged countries to come together in their courage. Most importantly, she called out the urgency to address the core challenge of our fossil fuel addiction.
Internal divides in Brazil’s government have developed over the transition away from fossil fuels. The Brazilian presidency of the negotiations, or Cop30, has released an initial draft decision. This proposal holds the potential to develop a roadmap to phase out fossil fuels. Silva’s appeal found strong resonance among representatives from Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Pacific. It was buoyed by support among EU member states and the United Kingdom.
Rachel Kyte, UK climate envoy, said that without a roadmap it’s impossible to succeed. This roadmap is an important next step to ensure that the positive resolutions passed at Cop28 are developed into concrete, deliverable actions. Implementation, she acknowledged, is the “biggest challenge,” even though accords have been signed at past summits.
“We agreed this at Cop28 but have not been able to find ways to implement it,” – Rachel Kyte
“And this is an implementation Cop,” – Rachel Kyte
At a press conference, climate envoy of the Marshall Islands Tina Stege delivered an emotional plea. She reiterated calls for countries to come together and champion the idea of a fossil fuel roadmap. Her statement highlighted the importance of countries working together to develop a specific plan.
“Let’s get behind the idea of a fossil fuel roadmap, let’s work together and make it a plan,” – Tina Stege
Ed Miliband, the UK’s energy secretary, echoed the feeling of solidarity within the assembled nations. He pointed out that both developed and developing countries are coming together with a shared voice on the importance of addressing fossil fuel dependency.
“This is a global coalition, with global north and global south countries coming together and saying with one voice: this is an issue which cannot be swept under the carpet,” – Ed Miliband
Ralph Regenvanu, Vanuatu’s minister for climate change, backed the call for a fossil fuel phaseout roadmap. He emphasized that despite the initiative’s potential, it needs to be backed by robust implementation plans that include clear, measurable targets.
“It’s not strong enough, it needs to be more action-oriented, it needs measurable targets, there need to be elements showing what this roadmap is going to look like,” – Ralph Regenvanu
Despite the momentum achieved at Cop30, challenges still lay ahead. The United States is the only major country that has not engaged in talks to prepare for a fossil fuel phaseout. Petro-states such as Saudi Arabia, Russia, and Bolivia may resist any attempts to restate commitments to transition away from fossil fuels.
The urgency for a fossil fuel phaseout roadmap is underscored by scientific consensus that limiting global temperature rises to 1.5 degrees Celsius—the goal of the Paris Agreement—requires immediate and decisive action. Current emissions-cutting plans, or nationally determined contributions (NDCs), are universally seen as not nearly enough to reach this goal.
The Brazilian hosts have come under fire. They even fought – unsuccessfully – to keep any reference to the Just Transition away from the official agenda for Cop30. This decision has raised fears that no substantive deliverables will be possible this summit.
As discussions continue in Belém, the coalition of over 80 countries remains resolute in its commitment to advocate for a sustainable future devoid of fossil fuel reliance. The results of these discussions will have monumental consequences in the worldwide fight against climate change and in advancing sustainable environmental practices.