Fossil fuel phase-out effort inches forward after all-night standoff at climate talks in Brazil – Firstpost

The world moved just a little closer to phasing out fossil fuels on Saturday, far short of what is needed to halt the growing effects of climate disruption.

After two weeks of talks in Brazil, the countries finally agreed to a voluntary agreement to begin negotiations on a roadmap to phase out fossil fuels, Despite strong resistance from major oil producing countries, a modest step was taken.

The discussions nearly broke down but were withdrawn in an all-night session on Saturday morning, after a tense standoff between a coalition of more than 80 developed and developing countries and a bloc led by Saudi Arabia, its allies and Russia.

UN chief praises COP30 efforts but says ‘higher ambition’ is still needed

The UN chief praised Saturday’s modest agreement at global climate talks, but acknowledged that “many people may be disappointed” by the results, including indigenous and young people.

A statement from Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, “I cannot pretend that COP30 has provided everything that was needed,” he said, adding, “The gap between where we are and what the science demands is dangerously wide.”

“I will continue to push for higher ambition and greater solidarity,” he said.

Brazil’s COP30 presidency put forward a compromise climate accord on Saturday that would boost finance for poor countries dealing with global warming, but it made no mention of fossil fuels.

In securing the agreement, Brazil attempted to demonstrate global unity in addressing the impacts of climate change even after the United States, the world’s largest historical emitter, declined to send an official delegation.

But the agreement reached in extra time after two weeks of contentious talks in the Amazon city of Belém exposed deep rifts over how climate action should proceed in the future.

after Gaveling During the agreement, COP30 President Andrés Correa do Lago acknowledged that the negotiations were difficult.

“We know some of you had big ambitions about the issues at hand,” he said.

Many countries objected to the summit ending without strong plans to curb greenhouse gases or address fossil fuels.

Some criticism came from Brazil Neighbour In Latin America, with several objections made by Colombia, Panama and Uruguay before Correa do Lago, the plenary session was suspended pending further consultations.

Noting that fossil fuels were by far the largest contributor to planet-warming emissions, Colombia’s negotiator said his country could not go to an agreement that ignores science.

“The consensus imposed under climate denialism is a failed compromise,” the Colombian negotiator said.

The three countries said they did not object to the overall political agreement of COP30, but to one of the other more technical negotiating texts, which countries had to approve at the end of the summit along with the summit agreement.

All three had joined the EU in demanding that the agreement include language on moving away from fossil fuels — while a coalition of countries including top oil exporter Saudi Arabia said any mention of fossil fuels was off limits.

After tense overnight negotiations, the EU agreed Saturday morning not to block the final deal, but said it did not agree with the conclusion.

The EU Climate Commissioner said, “We should support (the deal) because at least it is going in the right direction.” Wopke Hoekstra told reporters before the deal was sealed.

Panamanian climate negotiator Juan Carlos Monterrey said before the final plenary session that his country was not happy with the outcome of the summit.

“A climate decision that can’t even say ‘fossil fuel’ is not neutrality, it is collusion. And what is happening here is beyond incompetent,” Monterrey said.

with inputs from agencies