By Abdullahi Lukman
The 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) closed on November 22, 2025 with new promises but without a concrete plan to phase out fossil fuels, prompting widespread concern from observers who say adaptation finance remains critically insufficient.
Critics argue that, despite fresh language on ambition, countries again failed to deliver the clear timelines, pathways and funding urgently needed to confront the climate crisis.
At the centre of the final outcome is the creation of the Belém Action Mechanism (BAM), also known as the Just Transition mechanism—hailed as a historic win for workers, Indigenous peoples and frontline communities.
The mechanism includes unprecedented rights-based language covering labour rights, human rights, Indigenous rights, gender equality, and youth participation.
Activists say this victory reflects years of pressure from civil society and signals that multilateralism can still deliver meaningful progress.
However, they warn that COP30’s broader “Justice Package” remains incomplete.
Negotiators failed to secure commitments on adaptation finance, with developed countries resisting concrete obligations and pushing the timeline for tripling adaptation finance to 2035.
This, according to climate-vulnerable countries, is a major setback that leaves communities already experiencing climate impacts without support.
The final text also omitted any mention of a just, equitable and fully financed transition away from fossil fuels, which many see as essential to closing the ambition gap.
Observers say the talks were hindered by developed countries’ refusal to commit finance across mitigation, adaptation, and fossil-fuel transition areas—undermining trust and weakening the final agreement.
Activists also expressed concern about increasing opacity in negotiation processes, citing the growing influence of fossil-fuel lobbyists and more sessions held behind closed doors.
Despite these shortcomings, civil society groups and frontline leaders maintained strong presence at COP30, driving momentum for a global fossil-fuel phase-out.
Nearly 90 countries have now endorsed calls for a roadmap, building on Brazil’s initial push. Campaigners say the next step is turning this momentum into a concrete, institutionally backed global plan, pointing to the upcoming fossil-fuel phase-out conference in Colombia as a key opportunity.
Reactions from climate organisations reflect both celebration and disappointment.
They praise the Just Transition mechanism as the most progressive rights-based achievement in COP history, but condemn wealthy nations—particularly the EU, Japan and Canada—for failing to deliver adaptation finance, avoiding fossil-fuel commitments, and promoting what they regard as false solutions.
Many warn that without immediate, adequately funded implementation, the gains made in Belém risk remaining symbolic.
While COP30 preserved the process and delivered a landmark mechanism for justice, analysts conclude it fell short of responding to the escalating climate emergency.
They stress that only real finance, clear roadmaps, and decisive fossil-fuel phase-out plans can transform the promises of COP30 into the action required to protect vulnerable communities and keep 1.5°C within reach.