The recent talks in Brazil took a small step towards reducing fossil fuel dependency, but many feel it’s not enough to combat the climate crisis. Countries gathered for two weeks managed to agree on starting discussions for a potential phase-out of fossil fuels. This progress came despite strong resistance from major oil-producing nations.
In intense overnight negotiations, a coalition of over 80 countries faced off against Saudi Arabia, Russia, and others. While environmental advocates were disappointed, they found some hope in the financial support promised to developing nations. These countries will eventually receive $120 billion a year to help address the impacts of climate change, although this won’t start until 2035 instead of the hoped-for 2030.
One key element that didn’t make it into the final agreement was a plan to tackle deforestation, disappointing nature advocates during this critical meeting, often termed the “rainforest Cop.”
Jennifer Morgan, a veteran climate negotiator, highlighted that although the outcome was not perfect, it showed meaningful progress. She noted that the global transition to cleaner energy is gaining momentum, even in the face of pushback from oil-producing nations. Mohamed Adow, a director at the Power Shift Africa think tank, voiced concern that developed countries are not upholding their responsibilities to vulnerable nations.
The urgency of climate action was also echoed by Ali Mohamed, Kenya’s special climate envoy. He emphasized the need for support to deal with climate issues they did not create. According to recent studies, Africa contributes less than 4% to global greenhouse gas emissions. Yet it faces the most severe impacts, like the ongoing drought in northern Kenya, marked as one of the worst in the region’s history.
Another fundamental topic covered was the effort to limit global warming to 1.5°C. However, countries failed to present strong enough plans to meet this target. Instead of chastising these shortcomings, the conference agreed to set up an “accelerator” program aimed at improving national emissions commitments.
While there was recognition of the “just transition” aspect—supporting workers affected by the shift away from fossil fuels—key discussions about mineral exploitation were blocked by some nations.
As the conference unfolded, leaders like Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva emphasized the serious impacts of climate change, with hurricanes and other extreme weather events underscoring the urgent need for action.
The final agreement managed to dodge a complete collapse, but critics argue that the lack of a binding commitment to phase out fossil fuels shows there’s still a long way to go. Teresa Anderson from ActionAid pointed out the critical need for climate finance, which remains a barrier to progress.
As conversations continue globally, the push for stronger climate action is just beginning. Countries will need to unite further to address these pressing issues effectively.
For more information on climate negotiations and their implications, check out the Guardian’s coverage on COP30 talks.
