The dispute over fossil fuels is blocking the end of COP30. Delegates are fighting against time

The COP30 climate conference in Belem, Brazil, which was supposed to end on Friday, has been extended. Delegates from nearly 200 countries participating in the event cannot reach an agreement on phasing out coal, oil and gas.

Revolt of 80 countries against the Brazil project

Members of the delegation and observers participating in the negotiations told the BBC that the talks had become very difficult. The most controversial issue is the wording regarding fossil fuels that will be included in the final declaration.

In the latest draft of this document, announced on Friday by the conference host, Brazil, this issue was completely omitted. This sparked protests from at least 80 countries that had previously demanded that the declaration include a specific plan to reduce the use of fossil fuels.

194 countries are taking part in the conference, and the adoption of a joint declaration requires the consent of all participants.

The EU warns of a fiasco, the British warn of a “nightmare”

EU Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra declared the project unacceptable. – We are really facing a scenario in which there will be no agreement – ​​he added, quoted by AFP.

– This process is a nightmare, but it is the best process we have – said British Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, who took part in the negotiations. He expressed his intention to maintain efforts to promote energy transformation.

Race against time: fire and sailing ships

The COP30 conference has been ongoing since November 10 and, as planned, was to end on Friday at 6 p.m. local time (10 p.m. in Poland), but due to lack of agreement, it was extended. The matter is further complicated by the fact that the cruise ships moored in Belem, on which many delegates are accommodated, leave the city on Sunday, the BBC reported.

Negotiations in Belem, on the edge of the Brazilian Amazon, were interrupted twice. Last week, demonstrators stormed the building. On Thursday, the proceedings were suspended for six hours due to a fire that resulted in 13 people suffering from smoke inhalation. (PAP)

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