In an unprecedented move, countries unite in a coalition to end fossil fuels

Around 80 nations have already expressed their support for the process of building a “Roadmap” for decarbonization

By Cristiane Prizibisczki 

Translation: Diego Lopes/Verso Tradutores

Representatives from different countries gathered in Belém for the 30th UN Climate Conference (COP30) announced on Tuesday afternoon (18) the launch of a coalition—or “mutirão” (joint effort), as the COP presidency has called it—to abandon the use of fossil fuels globally. Among the countries present were Germany, Colombia, the United Kingdom, and Kenya. The movement is unprecedented in the history of the Conferences.

Representatives from 24 countries participated in the coalition’s launch press conference, but the number of nations that have expressed support for the idea has already reached 80, according to a survey by Brazilian civil society organizations.

In her speech, Tina Stege, climate envoy for the Marshall Islands—an island nation in Oceania threatened by rising sea levels—said that the call to build a Roadmap to end fossil fuels is part of an urgent response by the nations involved to accelerate the implementation of climate goals aligned with 1.5°C, and a way to strengthen what already exists in the context of negotiations on the subject.

The decision to “transition away from fossil fuels” was made two years ago at COP28 in Dubai. This was the first time in decades of conferences that the end of fossil fuels was mentioned in a negotiating text. However, the topic did not evolve at the following COP in Azerbaijan. 

Since the beginning of the Belém Summit, President Lula and members of the federal government have mentioned the need to revisit the issue raised in Dubai and present concrete solutions for the decarbonization of economies. President Lula alone has called on nations to take action in this regard on four different occasions.

The mention was included in a draft released on Tuesday morning by the COP30 presidency, in the so-called “Mutirão Decision” or “Mutirão Package.” For the Marshall Islands climate envoy, however, the language needs to be stronger.

“The best chance we have to reach an agreement [on ending the use of fossil fuels] is in the Mutirão Package. But the current reference in the text is weak, and it is presented as an option. It needs to be strengthened and adopted. And that is why you see all these countries here today,” she said.

For Colombia’s Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, Irene Velez Torres, oil-producing countries—which are resistant to the transition away from fossil fuels and are primarily responsible for blocking international negotiations on the issue—need to recognize the necessity of this change.

”We hope that they [oil-producing nations] recognize what society outside this negotiation bubble is asking for. We hope they realize how important it is for the planet, but also for societies that are expecting something from us, to obtain a very clear result, calling for action to eliminate fossil fuels,” said the Colombian minister.

According to Márcio Astrini, Executive Secretary of the Climate Observatory, the launch of the call for the construction of a Roadmap and the coalition strengthen Lula’s request in this regard.

“If on the first day of the conference Lula was there alone speaking on stage, today he is with more than 80 countries asking for the same Roadmap. Today, we know that countries not only heard but supported the idea. Now is the time to turn words and support into resolutions in the final text of the conference,” he emphasizes. 

On Wednesday (18), President Lula returns to Belém and is expected to put diplomacy into play to try to garner more support for the idea of the Roadmap for the End of Fossils. If it is included in any negotiating text, it will be in the Cover Decision. Called the Mutirão Decision by the COP30 presidency, it includes topics that are difficult to agree on.

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This report was produced by ((o))eco, through the Collaborative Socio-environmental Coverage of COP 30. Read the original report at: https://oeco.org.br/noticias/em-movimento-inedito-paises-se-unem-em-coalizao-para-fim-dos-combustiveis-fosseis/