A new negotiating draft released at the COP30 climate conference has ignited sharp backlash after it dropped all references to phasing out fossil fuels, despite sustained pressure from a broad coalition of nations demanding clear commitments on the future of coal, oil, and gas.
At least 29 governments had earlier warned they would refuse to endorse any final agreement that did not include a detailed roadmap for transitioning away from fossil fuels. While earlier versions of the text floated the idea of such a framework, the latest draft published by the Brazilian presidency omits the issue entirely — a move that delegates said dramatically raises the stakes in the summit’s final stretch.
Diplomats familiar with the talks say the shift reflects forceful lobbying from major fossil-fuel producers and consumers, including Saudi Arabia, Russia, India, and China. Their resistance has repeatedly stalled attempts to secure global alignment on energy transition timelines. Climate campaigners argue that removing explicit language on fossil fuels weakens the credibility of the summit and undermines efforts to keep global temperature rise within internationally agreed limits.
Environmental groups voiced immediate concern. Advocacy organization 350.org criticized the new draft as “directionless,” warning that a roadmap without a clear phase-down trajectory fails to guide countries toward meaningful emissions cuts.
Despite the controversy, the proposed text does advance certain measures. It calls for tripling international adaptation finance by 2030 and lays out plans for a three-year dialogue aimed at strengthening cooperation between climate and trade policies — two issues that have gained prominence as countries grapple with rising economic and climate pressures.
The negotiations, already strained by deep divisions, faced further disruption on Thursday when a fire in part of the conference venue forced a temporary suspension of talks and evacuation of several delegations. No injuries were reported, but the interruption added to the mounting urgency and tension inside the summit halls.
With discussions now expected to continue into the weekend, diplomats remain divided on whether the fossil-fuel roadmap can still be restored — or whether the summit risks ending without consensus on one of its most consequential issues.