More than 30 countries signed a letter opposing a preliminary agreement proposed by Brazil during the United Nations climate conference, due to its lack of a roadmap for phasing out fossil fuels, according to the Colombian delegation’s statement to Agence France-Presse on Thursday.
The Conference of the Parties, COP 30, is scheduled to conclude its sessions on Friday evening, after a fire at the conference venue in Belém disrupted activities on Thursday.
Brazilian diplomat André Correa do Lago, the summit’s president, is facing pressure from around 200 countries gathered in the Amazon city since last week to draft a text that can achieve consensus, as required by the summit’s rules; however, his latest draft, reviewed by Agence France-Presse on Thursday, makes no mention of fossil fuels, despite President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva defending the idea in a notable gesture at the conference’s opening.
The letter, obtained by Agence France-Presse and signed by countries from Europe, Latin America, Asia, and Pacific island nations, states: “We cannot support any outcome that does not include a roadmap for a fair, orderly, and just transition away from fossil fuels.”
France and Belgium confirmed that they signed the letter.
The letter further stated: “We must be honest: the proposal in its current form does not meet the minimum requirements for achieving a credible outcome at the Conference of the Parties.”
Momentum for phasing out fossil fuels, including oil and coal, has regained strength in Belém after the issue had recently declined in prominence.
However, according to a negotiator who spoke on the condition of anonymity, China, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, and Russia firmly rejected the proposal.
