cross-posted from: https://scribe.disroot.org/post/5751458
A fortnight of marathon talks marked by Indigenous protests, the notable absence of the US — the world’s second largest polluter — and a fire that forced a mass evacuation of the venue, have closed with a deal that many feel is weak given the scale of the climate crisis.
A main point of contention has been a road map to transition away from fossil fuels, the burning of which produces most of the emissions heating the planet and turbocharges extreme weather.
More than 80 countries — including Colombia, Germany and Kenya — had said a final deal would hinge on a concrete action plan to follow through on a previous hard-won pledge to shift beyond coal, oil and gas.
But the idea, which faced significant pushback from China, the Arab Group of nations, including petro-states such as Saudi Arabia, and others, did not make it into the final document.
…
In the closing session, COP30 President Andre Correa do Lago announced that he would spearhead two voluntary road maps — one to transition away from fossil fuels in a just, orderly, and equitable way, and another to halt and reverse deforestation.
While these plans are not part of the formal UN deal, all countries are invited to join. He also announced the first-ever conference on ending reliance on oil, gas and coal, to be held in Colombia in April.
Signatories include only 24 countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Cambodia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Fiji, Finland, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Micronesia, Nepal, Netherlands, Panama, Spain, Slovenia, Vanuatu, and Tuvalu.
And everyone clapped.
So? More taxes ?
No, more oil and gas.
import taxcarbon taxIt’s the perfect excuse after not coming to a shared arrangement.
Green taxes are the best 🤌
EU producers of steel, aluminium, cement, etc. are already paying a fee for the emissions they produce. This is one reason why global trade is hopelessly distorted as only a few countries have a serious stance towards climate change. As this COP has shown, these are mainly countries form Europe, Latin America, and some Island countries. China as the world’s worst polluter is clearly not among these countries as we see once again.
Ah, the West bad, ha?
Several big polluters from the global north invited fossil fuel representatives to join their official delegations including France, which brought 22 industry delegates including the CEO of TotalEnergies, and Norway, whose group included six senior executives from its national oil and gas giant Equinor.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/nov/14/fossil-fuel-lobbyists-cop30
I mean, also, yes?
China, India, and some petro-states blocked the exit road to end fossil fuels. The EU, most countries in Latin America, and some Island countries wanted to phase out fossil fuels. China doesn’t want that. The world’s largest polluters which has been increasing its emissions for decades and shows no signs to stop, has other plans. China wants to further pollute the world.
I mean, also, yes?
Two bad things can be true at the same time. 😆
Maybe. Thanks, China.
