Andreas Sieber, who’s the associate director of global policy and campaigns at 350.org, and Stela Herschmann, a Climate Policy Specialist at Observatório do Clima, are gearing up for COP30. This conference is shaping up to be a crucial moment in the fight against climate change. With four work pillars, sixteen possible negotiated outcomes, and three advisory “circles”, there’s a lot on the table. But amidst all the shiny objects on the agenda, one key issue seems to be missing: the role of fossil fuels in our current climate crisis.
Fossil fuels, responsible for 75% of greenhouse gas emissions, are nowhere to be found in the negotiations. This is a major oversight that needs to be addressed if we want to see real progress in the fight for a sustainable planet. At COP28 in Dubai, hosted by a petrostate, the Global Stocktake (GST) made a groundbreaking call to transition away from fossil fuels in an orderly and just manner. This decision was a significant step forward, despite facing opposition from the host country’s interests.
However, not everyone is on board with the GST. Some countries expressed “buyer’s remorse” at the G20 summit in Brazil, leading to a setback in reaffirming commitments to phase out fossil fuels. At COP29 in Baku, the fight for finance hindered progress on the energy transition, highlighting the challenges ahead. With the world’s top oil producers expanding production at an alarming rate, the urgency to address fossil fuel dependency is more pressing than ever. The push for renewable energy and the phaseout of fossil fuels must be at the forefront of global climate action.
As COP30 approaches, there is a growing need for countries to commit to concrete actions to accelerate the energy transition. Brazil, as the host country, has a unique opportunity to lead the way in transitioning away from fossil fuels. By setting clear timelines and goals for phasing out fossil fuels, countries can make significant strides towards a sustainable future. The upcoming climate diplomacy meetings in Copenhagen and Bonn will be crucial moments to address the elephant in the room: the role of fossil fuels in driving the climate crisis. It’s time for world leaders to step up and take bold actions to combat climate change before it’s too late.
