Delegates at the COP30 climate conference in Belém, Brazil, reached a final agreement after an extended session, but the outcome has drawn criticism for not meeting the high expectations set by many participants. The agreement notably lacks a roadmap for phasing out fossil fuels, despite calls from over 80 countries for such a plan. These nations, including several developing countries, the United Kingdom, and Germany, emphasized the need for concrete strategies to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, which are the primary contributors to climate change.

The absence of significant commitments to combat deforestation and protect the Amazon rainforest, often referred to as the "lungs of the planet," further disappointed environmental advocates. Jean Su, energy justice director at the Center for Biological Diversity, expressed her discontent, stating, "The venue bursting into flames couldn't be a more apt metaphor for COP30's catastrophic failure to take concrete action to implement a funded and fair fossil fuel phaseout."

COP30 President André Corrêa do Lago acknowledged the disappointment surrounding the agreement. He announced plans to create two non-binding roadmaps: one for halting deforestation and another for transitioning away from fossil fuels. However, these roadmaps will not have the backing of all 195 participating countries.

While the conference did achieve some progress, such as commitments to triple adaptation finance and elevate Indigenous voices, many delegates left feeling unsatisfied. Ani Dasgupta, president and CEO of the World Resources Institute, noted that although there were breakthroughs, the lack of a fossil fuel transition roadmap was a significant setback.

Dr. Rachel Cleetus from the Union of Concerned Scientists echoed this sentiment, stating that the final agreement, while keeping the Paris Agreement alive, highlighted the failures of wealthier nations to fulfill their commitments. She pointed out that the agreement included a mechanism for a just transition to clean energy, which aims to support workers and communities affected by the shift to renewable energy.

The conference also saw the announcement of a new international conference focused on phasing out fossil fuels, set to take place in Colombia and co-hosted by the Netherlands. Ralph Regenvanu, climate change minister of Vanuatu, called this new initiative a key outcome of COP30, stating, "The text is not great, but at least we have an outcome."

As the world grapples with the urgent need to address climate change, the lack of a clear path forward on fossil fuel reduction remains a critical concern. The next COP31 will be held in Antalya, Turkey, with Australia leading the negotiations, marking a shift in responsibilities to resolve previous hosting disputes between Turkey and Australia.