COP30 Closes After Marathon Negotiations, Fossil Fuel Transition Remains Unresolved : Shared by Tom McDermott

 

COP30 Closes After Marathon Negotiations, Fossil Fuel Transition Remains Unresolved

Author: Ayenat Mersie

Publication: Devex

Date: November 24, 2025

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Summary:

The 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference closed Saturday night, 27 hours past its deadline, after contentious negotiations over fossil fuel transition language. The conference's main output, the mutirão decision—an eight-page document addressing climate action gaps and developing country financing—became the focal point of last-minute disputes. 

At the closing plenary, Colombia made a final stand against text that avoided clear fossil fuel phaseout commitments, with its negotiator stating "There is no mitigation if we cannot discuss transitioning away from fossil fuels." 

Brazilian COP30 President André Corrêa do Lago suspended the session for an hour, but when delegates returned, the text remained unchanged with only promises to address Colombia's concerns elsewhere. 

More than 80 countries pushed for a concrete road map to transition away from fossil fuels, while major oil-producing countries including Russia and Saudi Arabia remained firmly opposed. 

The conference highlighted the fundamental divide over whether current climate plans can limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius without explicit fossil fuel phaseout language, and whether developing countries will receive adequate financial support for climate impacts.

Quotes:

"There is no mitigation if we cannot discuss transitioning away from fossil fuels." — Colombian negotiator at closing plenary

"[You are] behaving like children who want to get your hands on all the sweets." — Russian delegate Sergei Kononuchenko, criticizing objectors to the final text