Oil-producing countries have once again imposed their agenda in international climate talks. The latest draft agreement of COP30, presented on the final day of the summit, removes any mention of phasing out fossil fuels.
This issue was one of the most divisive aspects of this year’s summit, held over two weeks in Belem, Brazil, near the Amazon.
In an earlier version of the text, there were several alternative formulations for reducing hydrocarbon use.
Many countries, including Germany, Kenya, and vulnerable island states, pushed for a specific ‘roadmap’ to implement COP28’s commitment to a ‘gradual reduction’ of fossil fuel use.
Despite oil, coal, and natural gas being major contributors to climate change, the COP28 agreement was the first explicit mention of fossil fuels after 30 years of negotiations.
This year, however, Saudi Arabia and other oil-producing nations refused to discuss a roadmap, according to officials who spoke to Reuters. In the text presented by the Brazilian presidency early Friday morning, any reference to fossil fuels was removed.
The draft, which can still be changed, requires unanimous approval from nearly 200 countries to be finalized.
On Thursday, the summit’s presidency held talks with major negotiating blocs after a fire broke out at the venue and temporarily halted discussions. Although COP30 is scheduled to conclude on Friday, it may extend into the weekend as often happens.
Funding and Trade Policies
The new text calls for tripling funds by 2030 for adapting poor countries to climate change impacts compared to 2025 levels. However, it does not clarify whether these resources will come from government funding or other sources—a matter likely to cause dissatisfaction among poorer nations.
Investments in adaptation projects, such as strengthened infrastructure against extreme weather events, although critical, often have low returns, discouraging private sector involvement.
Additionally, the plan stipulates that over the next three COPs there will be dialogue on the role of international trade in climate change with participation from the World Trade Organization. This discussion is a longstanding demand from countries like China but may pressure the EU since its carbon border tax is frequently targeted.
