More than 30 countries have co-signed a letter opposing Brazil's COP30 draft for failing to include a roadmap to phase out fossil fuels. The summit in Belém was disrupted by a fire that cut Thursday's sessions short and concludes Friday evening. Summit chair Andre Correa do Lago faces pressure to secure consensus, while major emitters including China, India, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria and Russia reportedly rejected the proposed roadmap. France and Belgium confirmed they signed the letter calling for a just, orderly and equitable transition away from oil, coal and gas.
30+ Nations Oppose COP30 Draft for Omitting Fossil-Fuel Phase-Out Roadmap
More than 30 countries have co-signed a letter opposing Brazil's COP30 draft for failing to include a roadmap to phase out fossil fuels. The summit in Belém was disrupted by a fire that cut Thursday's sessions short and concludes Friday evening. Summit chair Andre Correa do Lago faces pressure to secure consensus, while major emitters including China, India, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria and Russia reportedly rejected the proposed roadmap. France and Belgium confirmed they signed the letter calling for a just, orderly and equitable transition away from oil, coal and gas.
11:18 AM, 11/21/2025Environment
More than 30 countries have co-signed a letter opposing Brazil's draft outcome at COP30, saying it fails to include a roadmap to phase out fossil fuels, delegates from Colombia said on Thursday. The appeal highlights growing frustration among many nations that the summit may produce a weak or noncommittal text.
The conference in Belém saw Thursday's sessions cut short after a fire at the venue, and the summit is scheduled to conclude Friday evening. With nearly 200 parties present, the summit chair, Brazilian diplomat Andre Correa do Lago, is under mounting pressure to deliver a consensus text that meets the summit's rules.
The draft text circulated by the chair contains no explicit reference to phasing out oil, coal and gas — despite President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva having promoted such a roadmap as a core initiative of the talks. Critics say this omission would undermine efforts to limit global warming.
"We cannot support an outcome that does not include a roadmap for implementing a just, orderly, and equitable transition away from fossil fuels," the letter states, listing signatories from Europe, Latin America, Asia and Pacific island nations.
France and Belgium confirmed they had signed the letter. According to a negotiator speaking on condition of anonymity, several major emitters — including China, India, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria and Russia — rejected the proposal outright, complicating efforts to reach consensus.
What this means
The dispute underscores a renewed push at COP30 to put fossil fuels at the center of climate action, after the issue had appeared to lose traction in recent talks. Delegations backing the roadmap argue that a clear, equitable plan to phase out fossil fuels is essential to deliver any credible COP outcome. Opponents cite concerns over economic impacts, development needs and energy security.
As negotiators race to find language acceptable to the full membership, the outcome at Belem will test whether the summit can reconcile competing priorities and produce a statement with real climate ambition.