Final Hours at COP30: Colombia and the Netherlands Push for Fossil-Fuel Phase-Out Roadmap

As COP30 entered its final scheduled day in Belém, Colombia and the Netherlands led a last-minute effort to secure an ambitious roadmap to phase out fossil fuels in the summit's closing declaration. Delegates and campaigners warned that the next hours could determine whether the conference produces a credible consensus on climate action.

Colombia and the Netherlands lead a renewed push

In a joint statement, the two countries reaffirmed the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels — the benchmark set by the Paris Agreement — and called for a clear, time-bound plan to curb oil, gas and coal production.

As part of their initiative, Colombia and the Netherlands announced they will host a follow-up meeting in Santa Marta in April to advance a socially just transition away from fossil fuels, inviting governments, civil society and indigenous representatives to participate.

"Countries that are dependent on fossil fuels want to end their dependence on oil, gas and coal production," said Dutch Climate Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Sophie Hermans. "But to do so in a fair way requires unprecedented international cooperation so that no one is left behind."

Pressure from dozens of countries and campaigners

A letter addressed to the Brazilian presidency and signed by dozens of countries warned that the latest draft text "does not meet the minimum conditions required for a credible COP outcome." The signatories said they could not support an outcome that lacks a roadmap for a just, orderly and equitable transition away from fossil fuels.

Environmental groups also criticized the draft as insufficient. Scientists note that the last decade contains the ten warmest years on record and widely agree that the 1.5°C limit is at risk of being breached by the early 2030s if emissions are not rapidly reduced.

"The next few hours will decide everything," said Martin Kaiser, head of Greenpeace Germany. He argued that decisive action on deforestation and fossil fuels is missing from the current texts. "Anything else would be a denial of reality."

Oxfam expert Jan Kowalzig called the omission of a fossil-fuel phase-out plan "simply unacceptable," warning of the risk of political failure and urging engagement with major emitters such as India and China to build broader support.

Negotiations and what comes next

Negotiators faced a disrupted schedule after a fire temporarily halted proceedings the day before, and several COP meetings have previously been extended to secure last-minute agreements. Brazil's COP30 president, André Corrêa do Lago, appealed for flexibility, stressing that the summit's value lies in achieving broad consensus.

With strong divisions over timelines and language, the summit's closing hours are expected to be intense. If negotiators fail to reach agreement, critics say it will embolden opponents of multilateral action and undermine global trust in the UN climate process.