COP30 Crisis: Why Major Nations Are Turning Their Backs on Fossil Fuels—You Won't Believe the Shocking Details!

BELÉM, Brazil, November 22, 2025— The 30th UN Climate Conference (COP30) has drawn to a close, leaving behind a deal that has been criticized for failing to halt deforestation, phase out fossil fuels, or provide substantial climate finance. According to the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), this outcome highlights a critical accountability gap between government commitments and their legal responsibilities concerning climate action.

COP30, the first climate negotiations held in the wake of a landmark ruling by the International Court of Justice, underscored the disconnect between political pledges and enforceable legal standards. While the conference acknowledged that states must uphold human rights within climate action frameworks, this recognition fell short of the urgent ambitions demanded by the ongoing climate crisis.

The final plenary session saw multiple groups express discontent with the compromised agreement, emphasizing that traditional negotiation tactics are no longer adequate. Urgent solutions are required to address the deadlocks preventing meaningful progress towards a fast, fair, and funded transition away from fossil fuels.

While negotiations stagnated on key issues like finance and fossil fuel reduction, a significant development emerged outside the official discussions. A coalition of 24 countries committed to phasing out oil, gas, and coal independently of the UNFCCC framework. Colombia and the Netherlands announced plans to co-host the First International Conference on Fossil Fuel Phaseout in April 2026, a move supported by the Brazilian Presidency as expressed during the closing plenary. Additionally, 18 states have expressed their backing for a Fossil Fuel Treaty, designed to expedite a just transition and manage the phaseout of fossil fuels.

Dubbed the “People’s COP,” “COP of Truth,” and “Implementation COP,” gatherings in Belém attracted thousands of Indigenous Peoples, forest communities, and civil society groups. These groups confronted governments with unassailable evidence of climate realities, demanding actionable measures aligned with scientific recommendations and legal obligations. They called for a swift transition to a fossil-free future, the cessation of deforestation, and reparations for climate damage.

“Multilateralism remains our best hope for a livable future—but it must prove it can move: decisions that phase out fossil fuels, protect human rights, and finance a just transition—free of corporate capture,” said Rebecca Brown, CIEL’s President and CEO.

Brown noted that the emptiness of the COP30 deal is a sharp reminder that effective solutions to the climate crisis lie not within the confines of such negotiations, but with the grassroots movements advocating for a just, equitable, and fossil-free future. She stressed the need for governments to unite and act decisively, especially as the world grapples with escalating climate impacts.

Nikki Reisch, CIEL’s Director of Climate & Energy Program, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the critical need for accountability. “The science is settled and the law is clear: we must keep fossil fuels in the ground and make polluters pay,” she asserted. Reisch further pointed to the impending international conference in Colombia as a pivotal moment for global climate action, emphasizing that the Fossil Fuel Treaty could serve as the necessary roadmap that COP30 failed to deliver.

Erika Lennon, CIEL Senior Attorney, added another layer of urgency, stating that COP30 failed to meet its legal obligations as defined by the International Court of Justice. “Without a commitment to a full and equitable fossil fuel phaseout and adequate public climate finance, this COP30 deal disregards the law,” she warned, stressing the need for reform within the UNFCCC to empower a global majority capable of enacting change.

Lien Vandamme, CIEL Senior Campaigner for Human Rights and Climate Change, criticized the lack of substantial plans to address the growing impacts of the climate crisis. “The people and communities facing harm have a right to reparations, yet no steps were taken in Belém to scale up public finance for loss and damage,” she explained. Vandamme highlighted the importance of accountability for big polluters as the world faces increasing climate challenges.

The conference also saw an unprecedented presence of lobbyists from the fossil fuel industry. With 531 lobbyists focused on Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) outnumbering delegations from 62 nations, this corporate influence raised concerns about the integrity of the negotiations. Lili Fuhr, CIEL’s Fossil Economy Director, remarked that despite this corporate capture, there is growing resistance from progressive governments and grassroots movements demanding climate solutions that prioritize people and the planet over profits.

The legal benchmark set by the International Court of Justice is clear: limiting fossil fuel production, consumption, licensing, and subsidization is essential for protecting the climate system. Johanna Gusman, CIEL Senior Attorney, emphasized that the most significant outcomes from COP30 occurred outside its official framework. With the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty gaining support from Pacific states, activists are hopeful that this will pave the way for a more equitable transition.

Despite attempts to weaken gender equality discussions, the long-overdue recognition of environmental human rights defenders at COP30 marked an important advance. Camilla Pollera, Human Rights and Climate Change Program Associate, noted that defenders often face severe challenges such as fear and repression, yet they remain on the front lines of climate action. The need to protect these defenders is a pressing legal obligation grounded in international law.

As the COP30 wraps up, it becomes increasingly clear that the path forward demands a radical shift in approach. With the world facing dire climate repercussions, the call for actionable solutions must rise above political stagnation and corporate interests.