COP30 Ends in Compromise But Falls Short on Fossil Fuel Roadmap
COP30 has closed in Belém after more than 18 hours of overtime negotiations, ending with a compromise deal that many countries say falls short of what the moment demanded. Despite intense pressure from over 80 nations to lock in a roadmap for phasing out fossil fuels, the final text avoids any direct reference to oil, gas or coal — a major omission given they remain the main drivers of climate change.
The agreement acknowledges the earlier “United Arab Emirates Consensus” to transition away from fossil fuels, but the language itself has been stripped out, leaving only a general nod to past commitments. COP30 President André Corrêa do Lago admitted the outcome would disappoint many, saying he knew delegates had “greater ambitions.”
Behind the scenes, the sticking point was clear: a handful of major fossil-fuel producers refused any language that could be interpreted as binding. A group of around 30 nations, including the UK, had warned they would not back a deal that ignored fossil fuels altogether, but ultimately the text passed without their red-lines being met.
For many delegates, the final document represents only modest progress. The absence of the United States and the uneven level of representation from governments added to a sense of imbalance in the room, shaping both expectations and the limits of what could be achieved. With no roadmap for transitioning from fossil fuels, no detailed deforestation plan, and no nature package secured, COP30 ends with more questions than answers — and with pressure already building ahead of next year’s talks.
Reactions from around the world are already pouring in — from governments, campaigners and industry — and we’ll gather the key responses below.