COP30: UN Climate Summit Concludes Without Strong Fossil Fuel Commitments

Wed Dec 10 2025 07:02:29 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil, ended amid criticism and disappointment as the final agreement failed to include definitive commitments to reduce fossil fuel usage.

The UN climate summit COP30 has concluded without adopting strong commitments to phase out fossil fuels, despite calls from over 80 countries, including the UK and EU. While some nations expressed relief that the agreement maintained previous climate progress, others felt a lack of ambition undermined critical climate action efforts. Challenges at the conference included logistical issues and protests, with many countries, particularly oil-producing ones, prioritizing economic growth over urgent climate pledges.

Following bitter rows, the UN climate summit COP30 in Belém, Brazil, has ended with a deal that contains no direct reference to the fossil fuels that are heating up the planet.

It is a frustrating end for more than 80 countries, including the UK and EU, which wanted the meeting to commit the world to a faster phase-out of oil, coal, and gas. However, oil-producing nations insisted on their right to utilize fossil fuel resources to fuel economic growth.

This summit convenes as the UN expresses growing concerns that global efforts to limit temperature rises to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels are falling short. A Colombian representative criticized the COP presidency for hindering objections to the final agreement.

Colombia's President Gustavo Petro made his discontent clear, stating he does not accept the agreement. The final deal, called the Mutirão, only urges countries to voluntarily boost their climate actions, leaving many disappointed.

Despite some nations feeling relieved that the talks did not regress, others expressed concerns about insufficient financial commitments to support poorer nations facing climate crises. Antigua and Barbuda's Climate Ambassador lamented the unmet financial pledges and emphasized the necessity for collaboration.

The climate conference faced numerous challenges, including logistical issues like a shortage of water in restrooms and interruptions from torrential rains. President Lula of Brazil aimed to highlight the Amazon rainforest's plight during the summit, yet his country faced scrutiny for plans to extract oil near the Amazon mouth.

Overall, while certain countries praised the outcomes as steps toward progress, the absence of robust fossil fuel language leaves many doubting the effectiveness of the agreement in driving necessary climate action.

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