UPDATE: 350.org has just announced its discontent with the latest draft decisions from COP30, revealing that the texts fall drastically short of necessary measures to phase out fossil fuels and enhance climate finance. This urgent critique comes as global momentum for a clear fossil fuel phaseout roadmap accelerates, underscoring the critical need for immediate action amidst worsening climate impacts.
This morning’s draft decisions, released during the COP30 summit in Belém, Brazil, have been described as a missed opportunity. According to Andreas Sieber, Associate Director of Policy and Campaigns at 350.org, “The draft COP30 decisions fall far short of the giant leap needed to close the climate ambition gap.” He emphasized the lack of a robust plan to phase out fossil fuels, despite the inclusion of a Just Transition mechanism, which he acknowledged as a significant multilateral achievement.
The Just Transition mechanism is seen as a step forward, yet it cannot substitute for a comprehensive plan to end the reliance on oil, gas, and coal. “We’re stagnating at a time when our islands can’t afford even a small amount of delay,” said Fenton Lutunatabua, the Pacific Team Lead for 350.org. He lamented that the draft fails to address the root causes of the climate crisis, stating, “We’re walking a fine line here between survival and climate catastrophe.”
The urgency of the situation is underscored by the fact that over 80 countries have publicly endorsed a Transition Away from Fossil Fuels Roadmap (TAFF). However, the draft’s mitigation section notably omits any mention of fossil fuels, relying instead on weak voluntary initiatives and vague, non-binding commitments to reduce fossil fuel dependency.
On the finance front, the COP30 draft is criticized for its weakened commitment to triple adaptation support, which Sieber argues lacks the necessary urgency: “The texts lack the lifeline communities already facing climate impacts urgently need. We can’t achieve justice on the cheap.” The absence of a clear delivery plan for the new collective quantified goal (NCQG) raises additional concerns.
Moreover, critical elements, such as direct access for Indigenous Peoples and innovative finance solutions, need attention. Notably, the reference to ending inefficient fossil fuel subsidies has disappeared from discussions. Without a coherent fossil fuel phaseout plan and sufficient financial backing, 350.org warns that the world will continue to exacerbate the climate crisis.
As COP30 progresses, 350.org urges all parties to align with the growing global momentum. The organization emphasizes that a viable outcome from COP30 must encompass finance, adaptation, and a fossil fuel transition roadmap. “Without all three, the deal cannot hold,” concluded Lutunatabua.
The pressure is mounting as delegates work against the clock to finalize agreements that could determine the future of climate action worldwide. The final hours of COP30 could be pivotal, and stakeholders are hopeful for a resolution that reflects the urgency of the climate crisis.
