At the COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil, a powerful bloc of more than 80 countries has united to demand a formal “roadmap” for phasing out fossil fuels — coal, oil, and natural gas — in their economies. Financial Times+2The Guardian+2 This call comes as part of a broader push to turn past climate pledges into tangible action. Ecofin Agency+2The Guardian+2
The Momentum and the Coalition
The coalition is remarkably diverse, spanning countries from Europe, Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Pacific. The Guardian+2Down To Earth+2 The demand is not just symbolic — nearly 20 climate ministers have backed the call, giving it a high-level political push. Financial Times+1
This build-up in support hasn’t happened overnight. According to environmental group 350.org, just over a week ago only a handful of nations were publicly backing such a roadmap. But by mid-November, that number had swelled dramatically — crossing 60, as countries submitted formal inputs to the COP presidency. 350
Why This Roadmap Matters
Supporters argue that while past COPs have made pledges (like COP28’s commitment to transition away from fossil fuels), what’s been missing is accountability and clarity on how to actually make that happen. Ecofin Agency+1
According to this coalition, a roadmap would:
- Lay down shared principles, but also recognize national differences — each country would move at its own pace, depending on its economic structure, energy needs, and capacity. Ecofin Agency
- Include financial and technological support, especially for developing nations that lack resources to scale clean energy. Ecofin Agency
- Be anchored in justice, ensuring that the transition prioritizes vulnerable communities, frontline populations, and Indigenous peoples. 350+1
Rising Opposition & Challenges
But the roadmap push is not without opposition. Some of the biggest fossil fuel–producing nations — notably Saudi Arabia and Russia — are pushing back hard. Ecofin Agency These countries argue that any phase-out must not hamper their economic growth and energy security. Ecofin Agency+1
Another major hurdle: the United States is conspicuously absent from COP30’s fossil fuel phase-out conversations. According to reports, the U.S. is not backing the roadmap push this year and is simultaneously expanding its own offshore drilling efforts. Financial Times
Institutional Mechanisms Under Discussion
To institutionalize the roadmap, advocates are proposing a bottom-up, member-driven process. Rather than binding targets (at least initially), they suggest a “coalition of the willing” framework where countries voluntarily commit to national plans, report regularly, and receive support. The Guardian+2350+2
Part of this push is connected to the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, which seeks a fair, legally grounded mechanism for phasing out fossil fuel production globally. Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative Countries like Cambodia have recently joined this initiative at COP30, bringing the formal count of signatories to 18. Down To Earth
Why This COP30 Moment Is Critical
Observers say COP30 could be a turning point — not because a perfect roadmap will be hammered out here, but because momentum is building. The very fact that more than 80 countries are willing to put a fossil fuel phase-out on the table signals a shift: from vague pledges to structured planning. Down To Earth+1
Yet, long-term success will depend on more than words. For a roadmap to work:
- It needs financing — rich countries must back the transition in poorer nations.
- It requires technology transfer — renewables, storage, grid infrastructure need to scale up.
- It must center justice — ensuring communities most affected by climate change are also prioritized in the transition.
If COP30 ends with just a weak “option text” on the roadmap (as some negotiators fear), critics warn it could be remembered as a missed opportunity. But if countries double down, this could be the start of a multi-year process that reshapes global energy systems.
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