COP30 falls short, but momentum builds behind a fossil fuel phase out
Greenpeace Australia Pacific
BELÉM, BRAZIL, Saturday 22 November 2025 — The UN COP30 summit has ended without actionable roadmaps to transition from fossil fuels and end forest destruction, but a new coalition of the willing has stepped up to drive the global fossil fuel phase out.
Despite early hopes, the first COP in the Amazon rainforest has failed to deliver an action plan to end forest destruction by 2030, a clear roadmap away from fossil fuels, and a meaningful Global Response Plan to bridge the 1.5°C ambition gap after 2035 climate action plans fell dangerously short.
But confirmation of a Pacific-hosted pre-COP and that Australia will preside over COP31 negotiations, alongside a significant step forward on fossil fuels as Australia signed the Belém Declaration for the Transition Away From Fossil Fuels, sets the stage for Australia to raise climate ambition and shape a strong Pacific-led agenda at next year’s climate talks.
David Ritter, CEO at Greenpeace Australia Pacific, said: “The great new hope from this COP is not the formal result, which is frankly shockingly weak, but the fact more than 80 countries threw their weight behind a fossil fuel roadmap, with many also signing the landmark Belém Declaration — including Australia, its strongest statement ever on fossil fuels.
“The tens of thousands of people marching in the streets outside the COP also showed yet again that there is a vast popular demand for action to match the crisis. It is the power of the people that drives and encourages decision makers to take action.
“The COP failed on fossil fuels and forests, but in signing the Belém Declaration, a critical mass of nations have acknowledged that the legally binding international commitment to limit warming to 1.5°C means no new fossil fuels — firing the starter's gun on a new race for the global phase out of coal, oil and gas. Our next stop is Columbia in April, for the First International Conference on the Just Transition Away from Fossil Fuels.
“While the COP failed to achieve hoped for breakthroughs, there is no doubt the Belém Declaration amplifies the clear message delivered by the International Court of Justice in its advisory opinion delivered in September: failing to align national climate plans with 1.5°C is a breach of international legal obligations, and gives rise to the risk of potentially vast future costs.
“Australia must now commit to a clear plan and a timeline for the phase-out of fossil fuels, including exports.
“The choice is stark. All over the world, people are suffering from increasingly severe climate damage–the storms and fires and rising sea levels that are killing human beings, wiping out species and destroying nature. There is no doubt that the year of COP31 is absolutely crucial.
“With its leadership responsibilities in COP31, there’s now a huge opportunity and responsibility for Australia — to build a strong agenda, create space for Pacific voices and priorities, and build up the momentum for global action at emergency speed and scale.
“Now is the hour. Australia must now commit to a clear plan and a timeline for the phase-out of fossil fuels, including exports. No more free passes or subsidies for the coal, oil and gas corporations driving climate damage. Australia must match its words with action.”
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High res images for media use can be found here
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