Belgium regrets weak COP30 deal but joins push to move beyond fossil fuels
Belgium’s climate minister Jean-Luc Crucke says the COP30 outcome in Belem falls short of what science demands, but insists Belgium played an “ambitious and constructive” role by joining Colombia’s initiative for a fossil-fuel phase-out roadmap.
Crucke said the final text “is clearly not at the level of scientific requirements”, with fossil fuels, the main driver of global warming, not mentioned in the deal. COP30’s Brazilian presidency has instead promised to publish its own roadmap after countries failed to reach consensus.
Belgium was among the countries backing Colombia’s plan for a structured transition away from fossil fuels, an effort supported by around 80 nations during the summit. “This dynamic, driven by countries unwilling to wait for the lowest common denominator, offers real perspective for the period after COP30,” Crucke said.
He added that Colombia’s dramatic objection during the final plenary highlighted the divide between nations pushing for higher ambition and those resisting change, including major fossil-fuel producers. “It shows Belgium was right to support the initiative,” he said. He further stressed the need to strengthen energy independence.
The wider summit delivered mixed results. Delegates agreed on steps for a “just transition”, new indicators to track climate adaptation, and a call to triple adaptation finance by 2035 (though this remains only an appeal). Brazil also promoted a new fund for tropical forests, but it attracted far less money than hoped.
COP30 was marked by protests, storms, a site evacuation after a fire, and a chaotic closing session in which the president apologised for missing objections from several countries. The unresolved issues will return to the negotiating table in Bonn next year, ahead of COP31 in Antalya, Turkey, in November 2026.
Minister of Climate Jean-Luc Crucke © BELGA PHOTO BENOIT DOPPAGNE