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The COP30 UN climate summit in Belém, Brazil, concluded amidst discord, yielding a final agreement devoid of direct references to fossil fuels, the primary drivers of global warming.
This outcome marks a setback for over 80 nations, including the UK and EU, which had sought a commitment to accelerate the global transition away from oil, coal, and gas.
However, oil-producing countries maintained their position, asserting the right to utilize their fossil fuel reserves for economic development.
The summit took place against a backdrop of UN concerns that global efforts to limit temperature increases to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels have faltered.
A Colombian representative expressed strong criticism of the COP presidency, alleging that countries were prevented from objecting to the agreement during the concluding plenary session on Saturday.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro stated his “rejection” of the accord.
The final agreement, known as the Mutirão, encourages nations to “voluntarily” enhance their climate actions.
For many countries, maintaining the integrity of past climate agreements and avoiding a collapse of the talks was seen as a positive outcome.
Notably, the US did not send a delegation, following President Donald Trump’s announcement of the country’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement in 2015, an accord committing nations to climate action. Trump has previously described climate change as “a con.”
“This is a disappointment,” stated Antigua and Barbuda Climate Ambassador Ruleta Thomas, referring to the level of financial assistance pledged to less affluent nations to adapt to climate change.
However, she added: “We are happy that there is a process that continues to function […] where every country can be heard.”
The two-week negotiations were at times marked by disarray, with incidents including water shortages in restrooms, torrential downpours flooding the venue, and delegates struggling with the hot, humid conditions.
The nearly 50,000 registered delegates were evacuated on two occasions. A group of approximately 150 protestors breached security lines and entered the venue, carrying placards with slogans such as “our forests are not for sale.”
On Thursday, a significant fire erupted, rapidly burning a hole in the roof and necessitating an evacuation lasting at least six hours.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva selected Belém as the host city to draw global attention to the Amazon rainforest and attract financial investment to the region.
Despite advocating for a more robust fossil fuel agreement, Brazil faced criticism for its own plans to drill for oil near the mouth of the Amazon.
Analysis shared with the BBC by the campaign group Global Witness indicates that Brazil’s offshore oil and gas production is projected to increase until the early 2030s.
Conversely, some countries expressed satisfaction with the outcome.
India lauded the agreement as “meaningful,” while a group representing the interests of 39 small island and low-lying coastal states termed it “imperfect” but a step towards “progress.”
Several less affluent nations secured pledges for increased climate financing to aid in adapting to the impacts of climate change.
However, the outcome was disappointing for over 80 countries that engaged in overnight negotiations to retain stronger language on fossil fuels in the agreement.
UK Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Ed Miliband characterized the meeting as a “step forward.”
“I would have preferred a more ambitious agreement,” he stated.
“We’re not going to hide the fact that we would have preferred to have more, to have more ambition on everything,” EU climate commissioner Wopke Hoekstra told journalists.
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