While temperatures keep rising COP30 failed the climate challenge ending with an outcome that contains no direct reference to the fossil fuels that are heating up the planet.
Meeting in in Belém, Brazil, it was a disappointing conclusion as more than 80 countries including the UK and EU had wanted the meeting to commit the world to stop using oil, coal and gas at a faster pace. It seems that both Saudi Arabia and Russia were among the nations behind a successful blocking move, despite efforts to the contrary. Where they the only ones to understand the world implications of the anticipated failure to limit future global temperature rises to 1.5C above “pre-industrial” levels?
Obviously not with oil-producing nations holding the line that they should be allowed to use their fossil fuel resources to grow their economies. Hardly surprising as one in every 25 COP30 attendees was a fossil fuel lobbyist. However, the massive industry presence did intensify calls to protect climate negotiations from corporate capture, as reported by Global Witness.
Head of Friends of the Earth, Asad Rehman, was at the talks and said: “It’s not the first time I’ve witnessed them trying to bully developing countries into accepting a weak agreement. Yet again their selfishness wrecked any chance to secure a meaningful roadmap away from fossil fuels – one with concrete steps to help countries deal with the climate crisis. But this time I can at least say we have taken a small step forward. And that will be welcomed by the millions for whom these talks are life or death.”
This eleventh hour deal finally achieved two of the key outcomes that countries on the front lines of climate breakdown have long been demanding. A ‘Just Transition’ mechanism was agreed. This is a new programme designed to ensure that no one gets left behind as we transition away from fossil fuels. It will focus on making sure plans are created that everyone benefits from. Such as cheaper, clean energy and well paid jobs.
More money to adapt to climate breakdown also supported. While the tripling of cash over the next 10 years to help developing countries adapt is only a fraction of what’s needed, it’s a start. What is needed is real finance, not more debt- creating loans. It does however signal that rich countries are being forced to recognise how critical this is to global cooperation on climate
David Howlett, ACE member and Senior Adviser on Resilience to the UN High Level Climate Action Champions and the co-lead of their Race to resilience Campaign, will be giving a personal and informal feedback on the COP30 outcomes at our December Green Café meeting from 10.30am – 12 .30 on Saturday 13th December at St John’s Methodist Church Hall. Settle.