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COP30: Summit struggles to reach fossil fuel phase out deal

The COP30 summit opened for its planned final day on Friday, although previous ones have dragged on beyond the deadlineImage: Kyodo/picture alliance

COP30 runs into overtime amid fossil fuel phase-out dispute

The UN Climate Change Conference is set to extend talks after representatives from about 200 countries failed to agree on a draft deal proposed by host nation Brazil.

Debate is particularly fierce over whether the deal should include a reference to phasing out fossil fuels.

More than 80 countries, including Germany, are pushing for a plan to phase out fossil fuels, a move strongly opposed by oil-producing countries.

Negotiators remained in closed-door meetings Friday as they worked to bridge differences.

German Environment Minister Carsten Schneider told DW that negotiators were still working hard.

Earlier, COP30 President Andre Correa do Lago told delegates there “cannot be an agenda that divides us.”

“We must reach an agreement between us.”

Burning fossil fuels emits greenhouse gases, the largest contributors to global warming.

Civil society holds ‘People’s Plenary’ at COP30

A political consensus on climate protection, reducing global emissions and establishing a roadmap to transition away from fossil fuels remains elusive at COP30, which has entered its final day.

Faced with the impasse at the summit in Belem, members of civil society were holding a “People’s Plenary” to repeat what their demands for the summit in Brazil, which centered on climate justice and indigenous rights, among other issues.

During the session, young people from around the world highlighted the challenges they face living in countries that are the most vulnerable to climate change.

One speaker, Roaa Ahmed Elobeid Dafaallah from Sudan, received a standing ovation after she spoke about losing her home during the civil war in the country and the sexual violence that young girls are suffering as a result of the conflict.

How drones could help reforest the world’s green lungs

Close to the COP30 venue in Belem, Brazil, degraded farmland is transformed back into thriving ecosystems.

French start-up MORFO uses drones to plant native seeds, restoring thousands of hectares of the Amazon forest.

How can we reduce CO2?

Carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels is causing climate change.

From renewables and green tech to tackling deforestation, what will it take to turn the tide on emissions?

EU climate commissioner blasts lack of ‘ambition’ in draft deal

Wopke Hoekstra, the EU’s climate commissioner, has also responded to the lack of reference to fossil fuels in the draft deal text revealed on Friday, the last planned day of the summit.

“This is in no way close to the ambition we need on mitigation,” Hoekstra said.

“We are disappointed with the text currently on the table. We are willing to be ambitious on adaptation, but we would like to make clear that any language on finance should squarely be within the commitment reached last year” at COP29 in Azerbaijan.

The previous climate conference saw rich countries agree to provide $300 billion (€260 billion) in annual climate finance.

Colombia spearheads letter condemning removal of fossil fuel phaseout

Colombia has written a letter to the Brazilian presidency lamenting the removal of an ambitious fossil fuel phaseout from the COP30 draft agreement.

The letter was signed by more than 30 countries, including Germany, France, the UK, and Australia, which will be leading negotiations at next year’s COP31 in Turkey.

“We express deep concern regarding the current proposal under consideration for a take it or leave it,” the letter read.

“In its present form, the proposal does not meet the minimum conditions required for a credible COP outcome,” the declaration continued.

“We cannot support an outcome that does not include a roadmap for implementing a just, orderly, and equitable transition away from fossil fuels.”

“We respectfully yet firmly request that the Presidency present a revised proposal that reflects the views of the majority and restores balance, ambition, and credibility to the process. We stand ready to work constructively with you toward such an outcome.”

Source : https://www.dw.com/en/cop30-summit-struggles-to-reach-fossil-fuel-phase-out-deal/live-74838966

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