Belem (TDI): Negotiations at the COP30 climate summit have extended past their scheduled Friday evening close, with delegates struggling to bridge deep divides over fossil fuels, emissions cuts, and climate finance.
Brazil, which is hosting the two-week conference in the Amazon city of Belem, framed the summit as a critical opportunity for global cooperation on climate change. “This cannot be an agenda that divides us,” COP30 President Andre Correa do Lago told delegates during a public session. “We must reach an agreement between us.”
Tensions have emerged as emerging economies pushed back against the European Union, demanding greater financial support for poorer nations to tackle climate impacts. “If there is a pathway for fossil fuels, there has to be a pathway for climate finance as well,” said a negotiator from a developing country, speaking on condition of anonymity, Reuters reported.
The draft text, released by Brazil before dawn on Friday, omitted references to fossil fuels, removing several options included in an earlier version after opposition from major oil and gas producers. Earlier in the summit, some 80 governments had called for a plan to phase out fossil fuels, though many appeared willing to accept the deal without it during closed-door discussions.
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The EU rejected the draft as too weak, with Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra stating, “Under no circumstances are we going to accept this.” European officials indicated they might increase funding for developing nations, but only if the text on emissions reductions was strengthened. Some EU negotiators even suggested they could walk away from the talks rather than accept the current draft.
Saudi Arabia and the Arab Group of 22 countries, including the UAE, warned negotiators that targeting their energy sectors would jeopardize the summit. The Arab Group delivered a statement underscoring that their energy industries were off-limits in the discussions.
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While the draft agreement called for tripling climate adaptation financing by 2030, it did not clarify whether these funds would come directly from wealthy nations, development banks, or private sources. Any deal would require consensus approval from nearly 200 participating countries to be adopted.
President Correa do Lago stressed the importance of demonstrating multilateral unity, particularly in light of the United States’ absence. “The world is watching,” he said, noting that the global spotlight remains on nations to take decisive climate action amid rising temperatures and environmental risks.
