BELEM – The COP30 climate summit in Brazil remained deadlocked Friday as the European Union refused to accept a draft deal it said was insufficient to advance global action on climate change. The two-week conference, held in the Amazon city of Belem, had been scheduled to conclude Friday evening but negotiations stretched late into the night.
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Brazil, hosting the summit, urged nations to bridge divides on key issues including fossil fuels and climate finance. COP30 President Andre Correa do Lago stressed that the conference must deliver an agreement capable of uniting nations rather than deepening divisions.
The draft deal released early Friday omitted references to fossil fuels, a move opposed by the EU, which called the text too weak to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Some emerging economies responded by demanding increased financial support for developing nations to address climate change. European negotiators indicated they might walk away rather than approve the current deal without stronger commitments on emissions reductions.
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Negotiations also faced resistance from major oil and gas producers, with the Arab Group, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, insisting their energy industries remain off-limits for discussion. Options being considered include a voluntary side deal on fossil fuels, separate from the formal consensus-based COP agreement.
The draft deal proposed tripling funding for climate adaptation by 2030, but it did not clarify whether contributions would come directly from wealthy nations or via alternative sources such as development banks or the private sector.
With nearly 200 countries participating, adoption requires consensus, highlighting the challenge of multilateral action. President Donald Trump’s absence and continued skepticism toward climate science added further pressure on negotiators to present a united front.
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Correa do Lago emphasized the global spotlight on COP30, warning that countries must show resolve: “The world is watching.”