Countries from both the Global North and South stepped up pressure on Tuesday for a clear and time-bound roadmap to phase out fossil fuels, as COP30 host Brazil launched an accelerated push to secure early breakthroughs on the summit’s most contentious issues.
Brazil’s presidency jolted the negotiations with a surprise two-stage strategy that kept talks running past midnight. The plan seeks to clinch an initial package of agreements by Wednesday, including fossil fuel transition language and long-promised climate finance, before finalising remaining files by Friday. One European negotiator called the move “bold but risky,” warning it could heighten tensions among Parties still far apart.
Momentum built after Brazil released the first draft of the “Global Mutirão Decision,” a document drawing on the Brazilian concept of collective effort. The draft clusters long-stalled items on finance, transparency, trade and the widening gap between national climate plans and the cuts needed to keep global warming within 1.5°C. For the first time in the COP30 process, the text includes optional wording on “transitioning away from fossil fuels.”
The push gained further traction at a packed press conference where ministers and envoys from Germany, the UK, the Marshall Islands, Sierra Leone, Kenya and others stood together. Marshall Islands climate envoy Tina Stege said the current language remains “too weak” and must be strengthened. UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the fossil fuel roadmap “must sit at the heart of COP30,” while youth leader Marcele Oliveira called the mobilisation “the most important moment for climate justice” of her generation.
Bangladeshi youth activist Sohanur Rahman said the growing unity between North and South signals that the fossil fuel era is nearing its end. He stressed that countries such as Bangladesh need a roadmap grounded in justice, equity and real financing rather than symbolic pledges.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres returned to Belém on Tuesday and is expected to meet President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to reinforce global climate governance. Negotiators worked late into the night as disagreements persisted across several sections of the draft, including finance. One proposal, a “Belém Facility for Implementation”, aims to help developing nations convert national climate plans into finance-ready project pipelines.
Some areas of the text remain blank, exposing deep divides. Rachel Cleetus of the Union of Concerned Scientists said the proposals represent “meaningful progress,” but still fall short of what is needed at this COP.
Still, the appearance of fossil fuel transition language is viewed as a breakthrough. Whether Brazil’s fast-tracked strategy succeeds will depend on ministers’ ability to narrow political divisions before the end of the week.
