At the World Climate Conference in Belém, the EU has presented its own draft text to advance a global phase-out of coal, oil, and gas. EU Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra emphasized the importance of an ambitious plan. The proposal faces resistance from oil-exporting states.
The European Union is pressing at the UN Climate Conference in Belém, Brazil, for a roadmap to phase out fossil fuels globally. In the final sprint of negotiations, the EU submitted its own draft text to make the plan as ambitious as possible. Dutch EU Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra stated: «And we must ensure that not only Europeans but as many others as possible can support this roadmap. That's why we're putting our own proposal on the table.»
Hoekstra called clarity on the phase-out of coal, oil, and gas a decisive factor for the conference's success, regardless of decisions on climate adaptation. The EU pointed out that current national climate protection plans are insufficient to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees.
Germany had already advocated for such a roadmap the previous day, along with dozens of other states. Environment Minister Carsten Schneider (SPD) said: «It's about freeing ourselves from fossil energy sources.» Rich Gulf states like Saudi Arabia, which earn billions from oil and gas, are resisting the plan.
Hoekstra recalled the decisions from the climate conference in Dubai two years ago: Tripling renewable energy capacities by 2030 and doubling the pace of energy efficiency improvements should be included in the plan.
The Brazilian host plans to present new draft texts for the final document soon, which will reveal whether the EU proposals gain support. Meanwhile, in the EU, debates are ongoing about weakening climate protection; the EU Commission intends to review the target for phasing out new combustion engines after 2035 this year.