(de-news.net) – Delegates at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Bélem, Brazil, have reached an agreement on a final statement yet failed to establish a legally binding roadmap for the gradual phase‑out of fossil fuels. The draft resolution presented on Saturday emphasizes the necessity of a transition within global energy systems but avoided direct references to coal, oil, or gas. While the urgency of drastically reducing greenhouse gas emissions are once again underscored, the declaration stops short of outlining concrete or enforceable steps that could guarantee implementation.
Representatives from nearly 200 countries endorsed a voluntary initiative designed to accelerate national climate protection measures. The declaration further urges a significant increase in financial support for developing nations, calling specifically for a tripling of available resources. This financial commitment is framed as essential to enable poorer countries to adopt climate‑friendly technologies and to strengthen their resilience in adapting to the mounting consequences of global warming.
According to EU Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra, the European Union had hoped for a more ambitious outcome. He nevertheless emphasized that the compromise represented a step in the right direction and therefore deserved support.
European states, including Germany, had pressed during the negotiations for a clear commitment to move away from fossil fuels and for stronger measures to curb emissions. Their expectations were not met. The decisions reached left German Environment Minister Carsten Schneider (SPD) somewhat dissatisfied with the final result. He criticized oil‑producing nations for obstructing more ambitious climate decisions and reproached other states for failing to oppose this stance with sufficient determination. Overall, he conveyed a sense of disappointment, noting that the progress achieved remained modest and fell short of the urgency demanded by the climate crisis.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres underlined that delegates had managed to come to a broad consensus. He pointed out that reaching an agreement was more difficult than ever at a time of global conflict. He acknowledged that the meeting had not achieved its main objectives. However, he cautioned that there was still a dangerously large gap between what was being done and what science required.
