What's happened
On November 22, 2025, after extended negotiations at COP30 in Belem, Brazil, nearly 200 nations agreed on a climate deal urging accelerated global action and tripling adaptation finance by 2035. The agreement notably omits a fossil fuel phase-out, reflecting divisions between fossil fuel-dependent countries and others pushing for stronger commitments.
What's behind the headline?
COP30: Progress Amidst Persistent Divisions
The COP30 summit in Belem marked a critical juncture in global climate diplomacy, delivering a deal that balances progress with compromise. While the agreement calls for tripling adaptation finance by 2035 and urges accelerated climate action, it conspicuously avoids committing to a fossil fuel phase-out—a core demand from over 80 countries and climate advocates.
This omission underscores the entrenched geopolitical and economic interests shaping climate negotiations. Oil-producing nations and fossil fuel-dependent economies, including Saudi Arabia, Russia, China, and India, successfully resisted language that would mandate a clear transition away from coal, oil, and gas. Their stance reflects concerns over economic stability and energy security, complicating consensus.
The Brazilian presidency’s decision to issue separate "roadmaps" on fossil fuels and deforestation outside the main agreement further illustrates the delicate balancing act. These roadmaps lack the binding force of the consensus deal, signaling a fragmented approach to critical climate issues.
The summit’s outcomes reveal the limitations of multilateral consensus in addressing urgent climate imperatives. While the tripling of adaptation finance represents a tangible commitment to support vulnerable nations, the absence of a fossil fuel phase-out roadmap weakens the summit’s potential to curb emissions effectively.
Looking ahead, the COP30 deal will likely serve as a foundation for incremental progress rather than a transformative breakthrough. The persistent gap between scientific urgency and political feasibility suggests that future summits must navigate these tensions more assertively. For global citizens, the deal signals continued international engagement but also highlights the need for sustained pressure on governments to align climate action with scientific targets.
In sum, COP30 advances climate finance and adaptation but falls short on fossil fuel transition, reflecting geopolitical divides that will shape climate policy in the near term.
What the papers say
Al Jazeera’s coverage highlights the summit’s breakthrough in tripling adaptation finance but notes the absence of fossil fuel phase-out language, quoting UN Secretary-General António Guterres acknowledging progress yet warning of a "dangerously wide" gap between action and science. The European Union’s climate commissioner Wopke Hoekstra described the deal as a "step in the right direction" but expressed disappointment over the lack of ambition, emphasizing the need for a clear fossil fuel transition roadmap.
The Independent’s Seth Borenstein provides insight into the contentious negotiations, noting that over 80 countries and Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva pushed for fossil fuel phase-out language, which was ultimately excluded due to opposition from major producers like Saudi Arabia and Russia. He also details the logistical challenges, including a fire at the venue and the extended negotiation hours.
France 24 and Reuters report on the diplomatic deadlock, with the Arab Group and other fossil fuel-dependent nations blocking language on fossil fuel phase-out, leading to the Brazilian presidency’s decision to issue separate, non-binding roadmaps. Reuters also highlights the deal’s call to triple climate finance by 2035 and the introduction of a "Global Implementation Accelerator" to encourage voluntary emissions-cutting efforts.
Sky News and The Times of Israel emphasize the geopolitical tensions and the absence of the United States delegation, noting the impact on consensus-building. The Times of Israel quotes negotiators warning the talks risked becoming a "clown show" without fossil fuel commitments.
Together, these sources paint a picture of a COP30 summit that achieved incremental financial commitments but fell short on decisive fossil fuel action, reflecting the complex interplay of global politics, economic interests, and climate urgency.
How we got here
COP30 is the 30th UN climate summit, held in Belem, Brazil, aiming to advance global climate action following the 2015 Paris Agreement. The conference faced deep divisions over fossil fuel phase-out language and climate finance, with developing nations demanding increased support and fossil fuel producers resisting binding commitments.
Go deeper
- Why was the fossil fuel phase-out excluded from the COP30 deal?
- What does tripling adaptation finance mean for developing countries?
- How did geopolitical tensions affect the COP30 negotiations?
Common question
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Why Are Fossil Fuels Being Excluded from COP30 Talks?
The COP30 climate summit in Belem is facing a major deadlock over fossil fuels. While many nations push for concrete steps to phase out coal, oil, and gas, others oppose these measures, leading to disagreements that threaten global climate progress. Understanding why fossil fuels are being excluded and what this means for the future of climate action is crucial. Below, we explore the key questions surrounding this contentious issue and what it could mean for our planet.
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Did COP30 Commit to Phasing Out Fossil Fuels?
COP30 in Belem aimed to accelerate global climate action, but key questions remain. Did the summit succeed in pushing for a fossil fuel phase-out? Why was there division among nations? And what does this mean for our climate goals? Here’s what you need to know about the outcomes and ongoing debates from COP30.
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What Are the Next Steps After COP30 in Climate Action?
COP30 in Belem concluded with some progress but also significant divisions, especially over the absence of a fossil fuel phase-out. As nations grapple with these disagreements, many are wondering what comes next for global climate efforts. How will countries adapt their policies? What can individuals do to support change? Here’s a breakdown of what the COP30 results mean and what steps are likely to follow.
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Wopke Bastiaan Hoekstra is a Dutch politician serving as Leader of the Christian Democratic Appeal since 2020. He has also been Minister of Finance in the third cabinet of Prime Minister Mark Rutte since 2017.
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The United Nations Climate Change Conferences are yearly conferences held in the framework of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.