Preview of the COP31 agenda ignores fossil fuels
The preliminary agenda for COP31 indicates that phasing out fossil fuels is not a priority for the conference.
The initial movements by Turkey as host of COP31, the United Nations conference on climate change, suggest that the phasing out of fossil fuels will not be a priority. The first draft of the so-called Action Agenda identifies 14 priority themes, mentioning 'clean energy transition', yet it notably fails to address measures for relinquishing oil, gas, and coal—sources that are the primary contributors to greenhouse gas emissions that heat the planet. This detail was reported by the British newspaper The Guardian and confirmed by Folha.
The Action Agenda is understood as the mobilization and agreements between the COP leadership and non-state sectors. Decisions made in this framework are not negotiated among all countries, nor do they carry legal strength, unlike those made by consensus among participating nations. This space, which used to represent a minor portion of climate summits, gained more prominence at COP30 due to initiatives led by the Brazilian presidency, increasing its visibility and importance in subsequent conferences.
The implications of this oversight on fossil fuels could be significant, as neglecting to prioritize their phase-out could hinder progress towards global climate commitments. Without addressing fossil fuels, the Action Agenda risks falling short of the necessary measures for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving the goals set forth in international climate agreements. This raises concerns among environmentalists and advocacy groups about the effectiveness of COP31 in addressing the urgent need for climate action and sustainability in the face of increasing global temperatures and environmental crises.