Brazil presents roadmap to phase out fossil fuels at COP31 in Turkey

Delegates from nearly 200 countries and regions have urged the international society to close the climate finance gap at the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference taking place in the Turkish coastal city of Antalya.

Brazil has presented a roadmap for economies to transition away from fossil fuels and move toward renewable energy.

Swedish climate and social justice activist Greta Thunberg appeared on the second day of the COP31 with a call on people to recognise the positive developments in the fight against climate change.

She first lashed out at lobbyists representing industries that influenced ongoing negotiations, and stressed instead of replacing those in power, the real focus should be on long-term policy changes and structural reforms.

"It's a hypocrisy every year that the host countries are given an opportunity to whitewash themselves...We have to take the victories we have, of course, because we are so desperate in this situation that we have to take all the positive signs we can get to save as much as we can still save."

World leaders discussed the roadmap put forward by Brazil following last year's climate summit, which offers countries various tools to reduce their dependence on coal, oil and gas, including expanding renewable energy.

It was presented after a deal was reached at the 2023 UN climate talks in Dubai aimed at phasing out fossil fuels, although nations haven't agreed on detailed guidance for implementing the commitment.

COP30 President Andre Correa do Lago said the roadmap is a contribution and input that they need to do, pointing out the first conclusion is that each country will have to choose its own pathway.

The stakes are high: a report by the UN Environment Programme says the world is set to overshoot 1.5 degrees Celsius of warming above the preindustrial levels.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres underscored in his address that oil dependence could undermine global economy through climate change and often-volatile energy prices. "Let us be clear fossil fuels are not only driving the climate crisis, dependance on them carries a steep economic and security price. As the crisis in the Middle East has laid bare."

He said, "Excellencies, it's long past time to stop treating the transition away from fossil fuels as taboo or intractable. Now, here at COP31, we must move from discussing the transition to organising it, financing it and delivering it."

Summit host Turkey has urged countries to sign up to an objective to increase the share of electricity in global energy use to 35% by 2035.

COP31 President Murat Kurum told a press conference, "The age of electricity is taking shape - and COP31 will be remembered as the moment we flicked the switch."