A bitter row over fossil fuels has broken out at the COP30 UN climate talks in Belém, Brazil, as the meeting formally runs over time. At the heart of the row is a disagreement over how strong a deal should be on working to reduce the world's use of fossil fuels, whose emissions are by far the largest contributor to climate change.
The dispute pits groups of countries against each other, but all 194 parties must agree in order to pass a deal at the two-week summit. Representatives and observers from inside a guarded negotiating room say the talks have become very difficult, with one negotiator stating there is 'a lot of fighting'. The talks were expected to finish at 1800 local time (2100GMT) but will instead spill into overtime due to rising tensions.
Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and some countries, including the UK, seek to urge nations to make stronger commitments to swiftly reduce fossil fuel use, building on a previous agreement from COP28 in Dubai. However, moments of contention arose when a first draft of an agreement offered several options, yet the latest version failed to mention fossil fuels.
French Environment Minister Monique Barbut remarked that the deal is obstructed by 'oil-producing countries - Russia, India, Saudi Arabia, but joined by many emerging countries', highlighting the struggle to reach a consensus.
The negotiations are further complicated by the urgent need for some delegations, who are staying on cruise ships due to local accommodation shortages, to leave by Saturday. Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Ed Miliband emphasized the UK's determination to keep the dialogue on fossil fuels active, despite the challenges faced within the talks.
'It's hard, it's sweaty, it's frustrating. There's a big divergence of views,' Miliband remarked outside the negotiating room.
Many developing nations have hesitated to endorse the fossil fuel reduction deal, calling for wealthier countries to fulfill their climate finance commitments. Pakistan's delegation head, Aisha Moriana, pointed out the need for adaptation financing, emphasizing that financial support must come before any agreements on fossil fuel policies can be made.
The summit has also faced disruptions from activism and protests outside the venue, including demonstrators advocating for environmental protections and indigenous rights. With time running out for negotiations, the outcome of COP30 remains uncertain amidst rising tensions and critical divisions among nations.
The dispute pits groups of countries against each other, but all 194 parties must agree in order to pass a deal at the two-week summit. Representatives and observers from inside a guarded negotiating room say the talks have become very difficult, with one negotiator stating there is 'a lot of fighting'. The talks were expected to finish at 1800 local time (2100GMT) but will instead spill into overtime due to rising tensions.
Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and some countries, including the UK, seek to urge nations to make stronger commitments to swiftly reduce fossil fuel use, building on a previous agreement from COP28 in Dubai. However, moments of contention arose when a first draft of an agreement offered several options, yet the latest version failed to mention fossil fuels.
French Environment Minister Monique Barbut remarked that the deal is obstructed by 'oil-producing countries - Russia, India, Saudi Arabia, but joined by many emerging countries', highlighting the struggle to reach a consensus.
The negotiations are further complicated by the urgent need for some delegations, who are staying on cruise ships due to local accommodation shortages, to leave by Saturday. Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Ed Miliband emphasized the UK's determination to keep the dialogue on fossil fuels active, despite the challenges faced within the talks.
'It's hard, it's sweaty, it's frustrating. There's a big divergence of views,' Miliband remarked outside the negotiating room.
Many developing nations have hesitated to endorse the fossil fuel reduction deal, calling for wealthier countries to fulfill their climate finance commitments. Pakistan's delegation head, Aisha Moriana, pointed out the need for adaptation financing, emphasizing that financial support must come before any agreements on fossil fuel policies can be made.
The summit has also faced disruptions from activism and protests outside the venue, including demonstrators advocating for environmental protections and indigenous rights. With time running out for negotiations, the outcome of COP30 remains uncertain amidst rising tensions and critical divisions among nations.
