The COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil, concluded this past weekend with a major setback for global climate action, failing to reach an agreement on phasing out fossil fuels. This outcome has left vulnerable nations, particularly in Africa, deeply disheartened and has cast a shadow over the multilateral climate process.
A Summit of Lost Promises
What began with significant promise under Brazil's presidency, hosted symbolically in the Amazon, ended in what observers called "disappointment" and a step backwards. Prof John Sweeney, an emeritus climatologist from Maynooth University in Ireland who attended his 15th COP, noted that while the summit followed predictable lines, the collapse of key ambitions was particularly striking.
He explained that the Brazilian presidency had laid substantial groundwork, aiming for clear commitments on forest protection, a fossil fuel phase-out, and finance for vulnerable nations. However, after intense negotiations that stretched into the weekend, the final text was stripped of its strongest language.
The Washington Factor and a Bitter Defeat
According to Prof Sweeney, "The big winner is sitting in Washington." A critical meeting between the United States and Saudi Arabia just days before the final plenary appeared to seal the fate of the communiqué, leading to the removal of any mention of fossil fuels. This was a bitter defeat for the vast majority of nations pushing for decisive action on the root causes of climate change.
Compounding the issue was the fact that for the first time in 30 years of UN COPs, the White House had no official representation at the event, a decision that negatively impacted the conference's outcome.
African Reaction and the Stakes for the Continent
In a collective reaction, African Non-State Actors (NSAs) warned that the decisions adopted at COP30 fall short of securing true climate justice for Africa. They pointed out that the continent is least responsible for the climate crisis yet suffers its most devastating impacts, with climate change already costing Africa 5–15 per cent of its GDP growth each year.
The groups did acknowledge one positive step: the COP30 decision to mobilise $1.3 trillion annually by 2035, with developed countries taking the lead. They noted this marks the first time parties have committed to a quantified pathway of climate finance "at scale," which is significant for Africa.
However, they urgently called for:
- Clear burden-sharing arrangements
- Predictable public finance
- Stronger accountability measures
These measures are crucial to ensure the financial pledge translates into real resources for the countries that need them most.
