Jakarta – Civil society groups, including 350.org Asia, believe that the COP30 climate conference in Belém, Brazil, failed to produce a clear, measurable and time-bound roadmap for phasing out fossil fuels. The lack of concrete direction is considered disappointing, and the outcome of COP30 once again demonstrates the weak political will of major emitting countries.
This failure was partly due to inadequate efforts to double adaptation funding, and the extension of the deadline to 2035 without a firm figure. There was no explicit reference to phasing out fossil fuels in the final document, even though more than 80 countries had supported the roadmap proposed by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to phase out fossil fuels.
Amidst these failures, 350.org Asia emphasised that the climate movement will maintain the momentum of the clean energy transition. This is reflected in the successful establishment of the “Belém Action Mechanism” — a framework that recognises the need for a just transition, the protection of workers’ rights, the strengthening of the role of Indigenous Peoples, and grant-based financing.
Norly Mercado, Regional Director of 350.org Asia, said that COP30 showed a sharp contrast between the inability of large countries and the power of collective action by the people.
“COP30 did not deliver the ambitious results the world needs, but it proved what the people’s movement can achieve: unstoppable momentum for climate justice and a fossil-free future,” said Norly.
“It is deeply disappointing that most Asian countries failed to support the roadmap for phasing out fossil fuels. But the momentum for a just transition provides a clear picture of where climate leadership should be heading.”
Mercado emphasised that the struggle does not end at the negotiating table. Asia, as the most vulnerable region and home to the largest expansion of fossil fuel projects, must become the centre of resistance against the climate crisis.
Adaptation funding and crisis risk in Asia
The failure of COP30 to set a schedule and funding figures for adaptation is considered to have exacerbated Asia’s vulnerability, which is warming at nearly twice the rate of other regions. Chuck Baclagon, Regional Finance Campaigner for 350.org Asia, believes that rich countries have once again failed to show seriousness.
“Without a firm timetable for reducing fossil fuels, Asia remains exposed to increasingly severe storms, heatwaves and sea level rise,” he said. “It is truly unforgivable that rich countries cannot even muster basic adaptation funding for frontline communities.”
According to Baclagon, Asia’s high development needs cannot be used as an excuse to maintain coal, including through financing schemes that encourage debt. Asia has enormous solar and wind energy potential—all that is lacking is the political will.
From Indonesia, disappointment was even more acute due to the dominance of fossil fuel lobbyists within and around the official delegation. Sisilia Nurmala Dewi, Team Lead for 350.org Indonesia, highlighted this irony.
“How can the Indonesian people trust their leaders when fossil fuel lobbyists are the biggest funders of the Indonesian Pavilion and have even infiltrated the delegation?” Sisilia asserted.
“Indonesia is held hostage by the fossil fuel industry, which is supported by politicians who continue to give it leeway through various policy exemptions—all in the name of an 8% economic growth target that only benefits 1% of the population.”
Sicily emphasised that the public would not cease to fight for the 1.5°C target and would hold carbon polluters accountable.
From South Asia, Amanullah Porag, Mobilisation Coordinator for 350.org, assessed that the COP30 outcome package acknowledged historical disparities but failed to establish clear corrective mechanisms. “Without a framework for burden sharing, timelines, and grant-based funding parameters, uncertainty will continue to haunt implementation,” he said.
“The science is clear—without fossil fuel phase-out references, the 1.5°C target is impossible to achieve.”
From Japan, Masayoshi Iyoda, an activist with 350.org, said that COP30 once again highlighted Japan’s lack of contribution to global climate targets. “Japan has failed to protect its people from the risks of climate disasters and is instead promoting greenwashing technology,” he said.
“With new coal-fired power plant projects such as GENESIS Matsushima, Japan is moving backwards,” Iyoda said, adding that the importance of a science-based just transition roadmap, rather than new investments in the most polluting sectors, should be emphasised.
The failure of COP30 to formulate a roadmap for phasing out fossil fuels confirms that the responsibility for maintaining the momentum of the transition lies with the people’s movement. 350.org Asia states that, from coastal communities to large cities, demands for the elimination of fossil fuels will continue to grow.
The climate movement in this region is committed to maintaining pressure—that after Belém, there is no more room for vague promises or false ambitions. (Hartatik)
Banner photo: 350.org
