COP30 climate talks end with more fizzle than bang as China, petro-states block push by EU and others to phase out fossil fuels

A fortnight of marathon talks marked by Indigenous protests, the notable absence of the US — the world's second largest polluter — and a fire that forced a mass evacuation of the venue, have closed with a deal that many feel is weak given the scale of the climate crisis.

A main point of contention has been a road map to transition away from fossil fuels, the burning of which produces most of the emissions heating the planet and turbocharges extreme weather.

More than 80 countries — including Colombia, Germany and Kenya — had said a final deal would hinge on a concrete action plan to follow through on a previous hard-won pledge to shift beyond coal, oil and gas.

But the idea, which faced significant pushback from China, the Arab Group of nations, including petro-states such as Saudi Arabia, and others, did not make it into the final document.

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In the closing session, COP30 President Andre Correa do Lago announced that he would spearhead two voluntary road maps — one to transition away from fossil fuels in a just, orderly, and equitable way, and another to halt and reverse deforestation.

While these plans are not part of the formal UN deal, all countries are invited to join. He also announced the first-ever conference on ending reliance on oil, gas and coal, to be held in Colombia in April.

Signatories include only 24 countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Cambodia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Fiji, Finland, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Micronesia, Nepal, Netherlands, Panama, Spain, Slovenia, Vanuatu, and Tuvalu.