CAN Europe https://caneurope.org/ Climate Action Network Europe is Europe's largest coalition working on climate and energy issues. With over 120 member organisations in more than 25 . Thu, 27 Nov 2025 13:48:54 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://caneurope.org/content/uploads/2023/09/cropped-can-logo-400px-rgb-6-32x32.gif CAN Europe https://caneurope.org/ 32 32 COP30 Supports A Just Transition Mechanism – But Leaves Civil Society’s Justice Package Undelivered https://caneurope.org/cop-30-reaction/ Sat, 22 Nov 2025 17:05:15 +0000 https://caneurope.org/?p=29269 Belém, 22 November 2025 – COP30 was hyped as the first implementation COP, the first COP since the landmark ICJ Advisory Opinion on Climate Change and the COP that would honour the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement. Expectations were high, but the outcomes, underwhelming. The Climate Action Network came to this COP with demands […]

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Belém, 22 November 2025 – COP30 was hyped as the first implementation COP, the first COP since the landmark ICJ Advisory Opinion on Climate Change and the COP that would honour the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement. Expectations were high, but the outcomes, underwhelming.

The Climate Action Network came to this COP with demands for a justice package, which included the creation of the Belém Action Mechanism (BAM) for a Just Transition, the tripling of adaptation finance, the narrowing of the ambition gap caused by weak Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and a clear roadmap for the phase out of fossil fuels.

While negotiators ultimately agreed to create a Belém Action Mechanism, a hard-won victory from civil society pressure, the rest of the package fell far short. Adaptation finance outcomes were strikingly weak, with Parties failing to commit to tripling the Glasgow target for 2026–2029, and pushing back the target year to 2035. Effectively this means a doubling by 2030, but without a known baseline. This leaves frontline communities without the scaled-up support they urgently need. Even more alarming was the complete absence in the final decision text of the previously agreed language on fossil fuel phaseout from COP28. With no reference to a global road map and no acknowledgement of the need to phase out coal, oil, and gas, COP30 missed the chance to anchor the transition at the heart of the UN climate process.

The COP30 outcomes also fail to offer any credible response to the widening NDC ambition gap. While rich countries frequently highlight this gap, many barely met the deadline to submit their own NDCs, and, ten years after Paris, not a single one includes a timeline to phase out fossil fuels. The final text’s vague reference to “accelerating implementation of the UAE Consensus” is far too weak to drive the transformational mitigation action needed. With no clear process to strengthen NDCs and no signal that the biggest emitters will move first and fastest, COP30 falls short of the scientific imperative and the Paris Agreement’s core equity principles. We expect the EU to engage constructively in the parallel initiatives to transition away from fossil fuels launched by the Presidency and parties like Colombia but also keep all efforts to anchor this work into the Paris Agreement obligations. 

Chiara Martinelli, Director at CAN Europe:

“Delivering BAM was a major civil society win, it creates a coordinated institutional home to drive forward progress on the Just Transition. Beyond this success though, COP30 leaves us with a grim picture when it comes to the whole justice package we came here for. Adaptation was sidelined, and fossil fuels were erased from the outcome. Ten years after Paris, we expected courage. Instead, world leaders delivered the bare, bare minimum.”

The EU did not meet the moment

The EU arrived in Belém promising to defend multilateralism, but its negotiating tactics told a different story. The EU repeatedly held up progress on finance in an effort to secure gains on fossil fuel phase-out. This included taking huge unnecessary risks to block the whole negotiation package and undermine the collaboration and trust with other parties, especially from the Global South. With the United States largely absent, Europe had a rare chance to step into a genuine leadership role it had prepared itself for; instead it ended up aligning with other delayers and contributed to a diluted outcome across the board.

Chiara Martinelli, Director at CAN Europe:
“The EU came to Belém speaking the language of leadership, but too often acted like a procrastinator, swooping in at the last minute with weak proposals. Europe cannot claim to defend multilateralism while playing tactical games that undermine trust and weaken ambition. The EU was not alone in blocking ambition, but the block signposted an easy hiding place for others.”

A moment for mobilisation, with missed chances for inclusion

The beginning of COP30 was energised by the Amazon, its people and the hope Parties in Belém could deliver with progress the locale inspired. This COP has been a stark reminder though, that meaningful climate action requires meaningful participation. For the first time in four years, the host country opened public spaces for civil society to organise, culminating in an inspiring People’s Summit in Belém that showcased cross-border cooperation and the power of collective action.

Yet inside the COP30 negotiations, dynamics have been affected by the ‘shuttle diplomacy’. The Brazilian Presidency failed to provide written reports or transparent updates during the crucial last days, leaving civil society and the press limited ability to monitor or assess the evolving discussions. As we mark the tenth anniversary of the Paris Agreement, it is clear that conversations need to take place on UNFCCC reform to broaden participation, safeguard transparency, and ensure measures to stop corporate capture by fossil fuel lobbyists.

Pablo Chamorro, Campaigns and Mobilisations Network Coordinator at CAN Europe:
“Belém showed the strength of people’s movements on the streets and inside the negotiations venue through hundreds of creative protests pushing for our justice package, but the negotiations themselves fell far short of the openness that climate justice demands. If we want the Paris Agreement to continue to deliver into its second decade, we need a system that is transparent, inclusive, and truly accessible to those fighting for a liveable future.”

Javier Andaluz Prieto, Climate and Energy Coordinator for Ecologistas en Acción (Spain): 
“The COP30 has been one of the most opaque summits in history. The Brazilian presidency has been incapable of moving towards a final, fair decision that would allow progress on climate justice. Apart from the BAM (Belém Action Mechanism), no progress has been made. Once again, governments worldwide are prioritizing their own interests, putting the lives of everyone at risk, particularly those of vulnerable people. We came to the Amazon seeking adequate funding and a roadmap for the end of fossil fuels and deforestation, one that would place people and ecosystems at the center of climate action. However, the final result has once again been a geopolitical clash that is costing us too much.”

Themed and detailed quotes from the CAN Europe network on the specifics of the negotiations:

 

Just Transition

James Trinder, International Climate Policy Coordinator at CAN Europe:
“We welcome the agreement on the Belem Action Mechanism – a long overdue home for Just Transition in the UNFCCC and a vital institution to accelerate climate action, in line with the Paris Agreement, grounded in equity, solidarity, shared opportunity, and human rights. The BAM is a hard-won victory for people-centred climate action: protecting social dialogue, gender equality, disability, indigenous, and Afro-descendent inclusion, as well as the right to a clean, health, and sustainable environment and intergenerational equity, but the struggle for a just and liveable future continues.”

Gaïa Febvre, Head of International Policy, Climate Action Network France:
“For two weeks, we spoke of a ‘COP of truth’. And the truth is not a pleasant one: multilateralism is in distress, and the diplomacy conducted largely behind closed doors has not helped rebuild trust in the COP process. We needed more transparency, but also more honesty. Along with other developed countries, the European Union held the finance outcomes hostage until the very last moment, which, after numerous betrayals, did nothing to restore its credibility or strengthen its relationships with vulnerable countries. The disruptive tactics of several groups and of the Presidency weighed heavily on the process. Despite all these obstacles, a new mechanism on Just Transition has been agreed. This is a major victory for workers, young people, women, and all the civil society organisations who came to the COP demanding a framework that ensures climate action also protects jobs and improves people’s lives. Let us never forget that those who always pay the price of these blockages are the people and the most vulnerable.”

Stephanny Ulivieri, Secretary General, Youth and Environment Europe
“We came with a clear goal: to ensure young people’s voices and lived experiences shape UNFCCC decision-making. We, the youth, who contributed least to the triple planetary crisis, are and will suffer the most. With allies worldwide, we pushed for a justice package centered on a just transition, science, and climate-justice-based decisions on adaptation, finance, and the ambition gap. Today, we leave Belém with bittersweet feelings. The BAM decision, a major cross-constituency rights-based achievement, passed, but other negotiations saw no real progress. Fossil fuel ambition weakened, climate finance stagnated, and the ambition gap remains. Our fight continues. There’s no time to waste. Governments, especially in the Global North: we are watching.”

Agnes Schim van der Loeff, Policy Advisor Climate Justice, ActionAid Netherlands:
“The major achievement of this COP is the tangible outcome to make Just Transition a reality. For the first time, clear agreements will ensure that ordinary people, workers, communities, and vulnerable groups are protected and involved when it comes to climate action. More importantly, an institution will be established to turn principle into practice.This breakthrough came not from governments, but from a dedicated push by civil society organizations, unions, youth, and feminist groups, as well as the loud calls of Indigenous movements in Brazil. Where governments failed to achieve progress on other issues, it is thanks to civil society that there is in fact a concrete outcome at this “implementation COP”’.

Friederike Strub, Climate Finance Campaigner, Recourse, said:
“The ‘COP of truth’ is shamelessly perpetuating business as usual. This draft decision puts unaccountable, undemocratic international financial institutions at the centre of a climate finance architecture that has thus far failed to deliver justice and development. The proposed COP30 package won’t result in real climate action if countries are still trapped in debt and extractivism. The move to establish a just transition mechanism is positive and shows the power of civil society organising. But to make the just transition happen we need public finance backing, systemic economic reform, and a clear roadmap to end fossil fuels”.

Clàudia Custodio, Climate justice officer, Debt Observatory in Globalisation (ODG):
“In the face of the climate crisis, only a just transition to a fossil-free world will deliver the outcomes the UNFCCC was created for. Thanks to the tireless effort of civil society, who came to Belem to get a just transition mechanism, we have an outcome to celebrate. However, sufficient finance and a clear roadmap to phase out fossil fuels are still missing, while opacity has reigned during the two weeks of negotiations. A reform of the process which involves kicking lobbyists out is mandatory to ensure the future of multilateralism.”

Angelika Derfler, Climate Justice Campaigner, Südwind:
“The agreed global mechanism for just transition is a ray of hope amid otherwise disappointing results. This means that a specific demand made by countries in the Global South and civil society has been included in the text, putting people and their realities at the heart of a just transition”.

Leïla Réau, Climate Justice Activist, Swiss Youth for Climate (SYFC)
“COP30 didn’t deliver the justice package we urgently need – especially on adaptation finance and mitigation. Developed countries must step up, take responsibility, and help shape outcomes that are truly future-fit.
But there was one big win (BAM!): a concrete step on Just Transition putting youth and frontline communities at the center. When governments fell short, civil society, including youth worldwide, united behind a shared vision and delivered this outcome. We showed what real cooperation and solidarity look like — and countries should follow our lead so a fair and inclusive sustainable future becomes possible”.

Adaptation and Finance

Rachel Simon, International Finance Policy Coordinator at CAN Europe:
“Along with developed countries, the EU held finance outcomes to ransom until the last moment, which has hugely damaged its credibility and relationships with climate vulnerable countries. The new at least tripling of adaptation finance target may sound significant, but it’s riddled with weaknesses. As the International Court of Justice’s recent Advisory Opinion sets out, finance provision to support developing countries to achieve Paris Agreement goals is a legal obligation for developed countries. The EU needs to set out a path forward to dramatically scale up adaptation finance – so sorely needed by countries in the Global South and to support global stability – focusing on grants, access and contributions to the UNFCCC climate funds.”

Nicolas Bormann, Climate policy officer at CNCD-11.11.11 (Belgium):
“Scarce are those who pass the exam without having done their homework before. The EU sits in this exact position having failed to honor the Paris agreement – because they came to COP30 unwilling to deliver qualitative finance again. Through massive cutbacks in official development aid instead of unlocking new sources of public finance, member states continuously shy away from their obligations on the international stage. Transitioning away from fossil fuels is of the utmost importance and it needs to be fair, inclusive and funded – and cannot be traded off against adaptation in the global south”.

Hamdi Benslama, EU Advocacy Adviser, ActionAid International:
“COP30 was sold as the COP of truth and implementation – the EU helped turn it into posturing and a blame game. The EU talked about phasing out fossil fuels while it should already be leading with a clear phase-out pathway; it talked about ambition while its own pledge doesn’t match its fair share; and it dodged hard questions on support, giving no clear signal on how last year’s finance deal will be implemented, particularly for the most vulnerable. COP after COP, this widening gap between words and action is eroding the EU’s climate credibility, weakening the Paris Agreement it claims to defend, and handing easy excuses to those who never wanted real climate action in the first place.”  

Salomé Lehtman, Advocacy Advisor at Mercy Corps and the Zurich Climate Resilience Alliance: 
“Ten years after Paris, COP30 should have delivered a justice package for communities suffering from the climate crisis. Instead, we got a hollow adaptation finance ‘commitment’ with no obligations for developed countries, no baseline, and delivery kicked to 2035. The European Union, alongside other rich countries, refused to put any money on the table, despite clear duties under the Paris agreement. This is a failure of climate justice. The outcome on adaptation finance is weak, and people’s lives are on the line. It is time governments are held accountable and deliver sufficient and quality adaptation finance, not more empty promises because communities cannot adapt to inaction.”

Barbara Rosen Jacobson, Senior Advocacy Advisor, Mercy Corps and the Zurich Climate Resilience Alliance:
“This year, we needed a strong and ambitious outcome on adaptation. This COP offered a critical chance to elevate adaptation for communities already facing escalating climate impacts. Unfortunately, the result falls short. While the outcome includes a commitment to triple adaptation finance, it lacks a defined baseline, does not clarify who will pay, and delays delivery to 2035; far too late for those on the frontlines. Still, throughout this COP, it became crystal clear that more and better-quality adaptation finance is needed, even if the outcome fails to reflect it. We must build on this and continue pressing governments for real, urgent action.”

Marlene Achoki, Global Climate Justice Policy and Advocacy Lead, CARE International
“This outcome is a failure — and failure to act is negligence. Communities are already living the climate crisis, and millions are paying the price. Adaptation is essential to protect lives and safeguard economies, yet at a COP30 billed as the ‘COP of Truth,’ outcomes fall far short. There is no clarity on how much money is channeled to adaptation, where it will come from, its quality, or how progress will be measured. Without adequate, public, grant-based finance and ambition, climate change will keep multiplying poverty and deepening inequality, especially for women and girls fighting daily for safety and dignity.”

Sinéad Loughran, Climate Justice Policy & Advocacy Advisor, Trócaire:
“COP30’s outcome fails to even acknowledge the stark and devastating neglect of rich, historically-high polluting states to deliver on their loss and damage finance obligations. The Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage remains critically underfunded, resulting in a denial of basic human rights. Communities are facing droughts, floods and other extreme weather events, causing loss of homes, lives and livelihoods, and are owed remedy for this harm. As long as big polluters, states and corporations alike, fail to deliver adequate climate action including a fair and funded fossil fuel phase out, communities will continue to experience escalating losses and damages.”

NDCs and Ambition

Petter Lydén, Head of International Climate Policy, Germanwatch:
“A large part of COP30 was about the fundamental cause of climate change, and how to remove it. The final weak response to the gap in necessary emissions reductions commitments is countered by the loud call from more than 80 countries across continents to transition away from fossil fuels. This initiative will be taken forward in the year to come and the EU needs to be onboard and support.”

David Knecht, Fastenaktion Switzerland:
“Climate action must be people centered. It is good to see that COP30 brought us a step closer to a just transition mechanism. We have to celebrate this! At the same time, countries were unable to address the glaring gap in ambition and implementation of the Paris Agreement. COP30 does not deliver a plan on how countries will concretely work towards more climate action, socially just and funded climate action. This is a lost opportunity. We need the COP30 and COP31 Presidencies to focus”.

Kaysie Brown, Associate Director, Climate Diplomacy & Geopolitics, E3G:
“A deal was always going to be hard-fought, and the outcome shows that Parties were not consistently resolute in pursuing the level of collective ambition required, or united in their support for some critical elements. The work is far from over, and Brazil has a considerable amount to do in the days ahead to assure Parties on next steps and processes. Looking ahead, the question remains: whether there is political will to match what is happening in the real economy. And there are important foundations coming out of this COP to build on and deepen – elements that can be translated into tangible acceleration of real-world progress in cutting emissions, phasing out fossil fuels, strengthening adaptation, protecting nature, and matching needs with resources.”

Fossil Fuel Phase-Out

Rachel Simon, International finance Policy Coordinator at CAN Europe:
“While global action on fossil fuel subsidy phaseout would have a huge impact on the energy transition, it was shockingly omitted at COP30 representing a backwards step on previous years. The EU could have brought more countries on board by focusing on equity and just transitions and by getting its own house in order, as it has committed to phasing out fossil fuel subsidies by 2025 numerous times. Swift progress is now needed at home on the forthcoming EU fossil fuel subsidy phaseout framework, starting with tackling the billions poured into industry.”

Matilde Angeltveit, Senior Climate Policy Adviser at Norwegian Church Aid:
“This agreement fails to respond to the severity of the climate crisis. Climate-vulnerable people deserved a fast, fair, and fully funded phase-out of fossil fuels, paired with a major scaling-up of climate finance to the Global South. This COP did not deliver that. In Norwegian Church Aid we have worked with climate adaptation for many decades, and we know that the solutions exist. But the Global North is not stepping up to the challenge, and recognizing their historical responsibility to increase support. This needs to change, starting with national policies to increase ambition on a globally just transition.”

Susann Scherbarth, Head of Climate Justice, Friends of the Earth Germany: 
“The end of COP30 in Belém feels like a ship sailing into a storm and throwing away its compass. No mention of the long-discussed roadmap for phasing out fossil fuels and no progress toward a fair, fully financed phase-out—a bitterly disappointing result. And yet there was finally momentum again to make the phase-out of fossil fuels a reality. Now it’s a clear free pass for the fossil fuel industry and a hard blow for those who suffer most from the climate crisis and a goodbye to the 1.5 pathway. Rich countries such as Germany or the EU must not continue to shirk their responsibilities at the expense of poorer ones.”

Alexandra Azevedo, Head of National Board of Directors, Quercus:
“The world hopes for a fair and fast phase-out of fossil fuels, shown by science to provide the best economic gains while also protecting our lives and planet. Yet, growing numbers of fossil-fuel lobbyists are working from within to slow this progress and developing countries have taken on heavy debt to support global climate efforts without enough help from the richest economies. Still, civil society’s presence at COP continues to rise and this year’s decision demonstrates that by having included the strongest language yet on human rights, labour, gender, youth, education, ecosystems, and biodiversity.
Colombia and the UN had key roles in presenting and supporting respectively the urgent need for a roadmap to transition away from fossil fuels and to tackle climate misinformation. We entered with giant steps and left with baby ones but progress remains. Next time we shall make longer strides.”

Marc Weissgerber, Executive Director, E3G Berlin (Geschäftsführer):
“The EU has made a significant contribution to proving that multilateralism and climate cooperation work even in a very difficult geopolitical environment – and that large parts of the world are ready to move to implementation. The EU showcased its agency to strengthen ambition, building on its role as middle-ground convener while adapting to geopolitical realities. It also showcased flexibility regarding the tripling of adaptation finance and on so-called unilateral measures. The EU can build on its actions at COP30, engaging further and constructively with partners in EMDES, using real economy opportunities and building coalitions.”

Erica Martinelli, COP30 Coordinator, Generation Climate Europe (GCE):
“COP30 was presented as the COP of implementation, yet its outcome falls short of 1.5°C science and states’ legal obligations under the ICJ’s Advisory Opinion. It advanced justice by calling for a just transition mechanism grounded in human rights, but it failed to deliver a time-bound fossil fuel phase-out roadmap and increased grant-based public finance. As this COP showed, ambition is sidelined when fossil fuel lobbyists outnumber vulnerable communities. With tipping points approaching and lives at risk, we demand greater ambition, real finance, and a time-bound fossil fuel phase-out to keep 1.5°C alive.”

Federica Dossi, Global Carbon Market Expert, Carbon Market Watch:
“COP30 has demonstrated that the spectre of inadequate carbon crediting rules and blurred carbon market deals will continue to haunt climate targets for years to come. We call on countries not to buy carbon credits to reach their climate goals. EU policymakers, especially, must take note.
The adopted decisions may add marginal improvements to the overall Article 6.2 rulebook, but such increments do little to change the rather worrying course that Article 6 seems to be on”.

Isa Mulder, Global Carbon Market Expert, Carbon Market Watch
“While the old CDM framework is now put to rest, it’s dire that credits from the Kyoto mechanisms have been given yet another lifeline. The absurd message coming from governments seems to be ‘the CDM is dead, long live the CDM!’
Governments averted disaster by fending off numerous financial interests that sought to weaken carbon market rules in Article 6.4. At the same time, they leave Belém with a lot of unfinished business if this carbon crediting mechanism is to fulfill an exemplary function for carbon markets globally.”

ENDS

For more information and media requests:

Tomas Spragg Nilsson, Senior Communications Coordinator (in Belém)

tomas.spraggnilsson@caneurope.org // +46 707 65 63 92

 

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]]> European Parliament top leaders block MEPs request to seek EU courts opinion on EU-Mercosur agreements with no legal justification https://caneurope.org/european-parliament-top-leaders-block-meps-request-to-seek-eu-courts-opinion-on-eu-mercosur-agreements-with-no-legal-justification/ Wed, 19 Nov 2025 16:56:17 +0000 https://caneurope.org/?p=29251 Brussels, 19 November 2025 – Today, the Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament, led by the President of the European Parliament Metsola, rejected a motion for a resolution jointly tabled by MEPs, requesting an opinion from the European Court of Justice on whether the EU-Mercosur agreements comply with EU founding treaties. The initiative is […]

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]]> Brussels, 19 November 2025 – Today, the Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament, led by the President of the European Parliament Metsola, rejected a motion for a resolution jointly tabled by MEPs, requesting an opinion from the European Court of Justice on whether the EU-Mercosur agreements comply with EU founding treaties. The initiative is supported by more than 145 MEPs from EPP, Socialists and Democrats, Renew, The Left and Green groups.

 

The motion was rejected on grounds that the Council has not yet done its request for Parliament’s consent. However legal experts argue that this argument is legally unfounded. They note that the European Parliament can request an opinion on the EU-Mercosur Agreements – the Interim Trade Agreement (ITA) and EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement (EMPA) – as a preventive measure, before the signature and conclusion of the proposed agreements and perfectly legitimate.

 

Audrey Changoe, Trade and Investment Policy Coordinator at CAN Europe said:

“As Civil society, we have been raising alarms about the legal issues and potential breaches with EU law the EU-Mercosur deal poses. In particular, the re-balancing mechanism could restrain the EU’s ability to introduce new environmental or health protections, creating a regulatory chill that threatens the EU’s regulatory autonomy .

Moreover, the European Commission has never clarified the legal bases for splitting the agreement, an undemocratic move which sidelines national parliaments in order to fast-track the ratification process . This not only goes against the Commission’s negotiating mandate, but also the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, which requires EU institutions to clearly explain and justify any legal act that has binding effects.” 

 

Requesting an opinion before the signature would allow the Court to assess whether the proposals are fully compatible with EU law. If the request comes too late, it may be less relevant and even inadmissible due to procedural complications.

The European Commission and Mercosur countries – Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay – wrapped up the agreement in December 2024. The Commission launched the ratification process in September and plans to sign the deal on the 20th of December.

 

“The highest court of the European Union holds review powers in the opinion procedure to  act as the guardian  of fundamental principles of EU law. The European Parliament’s primary role is to uphold these values and requesting the Court’s opinion is a perfectly legitimate step. It is deeply worrying to see that under pressure from geopolitical interests and corporate lobbying, European Parliament leaders are denying MEPs democratic right to request a vote, using weak legal  arguments in order to pave the way for an already highly controversial deal” says Audrey Changoe.

ENDS

 

LINKS: 

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]]> CAN Europe initial reaction to the 21 November Mutirão text at COP30 https://caneurope.org/can-europe-initial-reaction-to-the-21-november-mutirao-text-at-cop30/ Fri, 21 Nov 2025 13:14:18 +0000 https://caneurope.org/?p=29258 Belém, 21 November – Reacting to the 21 November Mutirão text at COP30 Initial analysis of the latest Mutirão text shows some significant weaknesses. In particular, anything resembling a roadmap to transition away from fossil fuels is completely missing. What could be seen as a response to the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) gap is also […]

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]]> Belém, 21 November – Reacting to the 21 November Mutirão text at COP30

Initial analysis of the latest Mutirão text shows some significant weaknesses. In particular, anything resembling a roadmap to transition away from fossil fuels is completely missing. What could be seen as a response to the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) gap is also very weak: it would only set up a process for the next Presidency to collate discussions and prepare a report for the next COP, with no clear process elements and no clear call to step up NDCs.

Sven Harmeling, Head of Climate at CAN Europe, said:

“We don’t yet see in the text what is needed to address the NDC gap, so negotiators cannot walk away from Belém with a decision as the text currently stands.”

It is impossible to recognise a justice package in the latest Mutirão text if there is no real progress on transitioning away from fossil fuels. It is critical that the COP sends a strong signal that this debate has now started, and that negotiations move forward on how the transition can actually happen. Negotiators are not at the end of the process yet, and there are many more hours ahead to strengthen the text.

Chiara Martinelli, Director at CAN Europe, added:

“Mitigation is currently one of the biggest weaknesses in the Mutirão text, alongside financial support. If there is no progress on mitigation, there is no progress on climate justice. There is no climate justice in a 2.5°C world – and stronger support from developed countries is critical to accelerate mitigation efforts.” 

It will be critical for the EU to gather allies to push for more ambition on the NDC response and on the roadmap for transitioning away from fossil fuels. Many countries beyond the EU have called for this, and it is important to lift up those voices. At the same time, there is still a need for significant strengthening in adaptation finance. The Just Transition Mechanism is on a good track, but many elements are still missing. If the EU brings these elements together and joins forces with other progressive countries, it should still be possible to improve the final result.

Colombia declaration for transitioning away from fossil fuels

Outside the COP30 process, the launch of the Colombia Declaration showed that momentum for phasing out fossil fuels is growing. More than 80 countries now support a global shift away from oil, gas and coal, with Colombia and the Netherlands leading the way toward a 2026 conference on the just transition, announced in Belém.

James Trinder, International Climate Policy Coordinator at CAN Europe, said:

“It is encouraging to see so many countries, led by Colombia and the Netherlands, stepping up to build a global roadmap for phasing out oil, gas and coal in line with science and the legal obligations, as ruled by the International Court of Justice. The EU must now match this momentum and sign the declaration. Above all, the developed countries must now match that ambition on public finance, and move the money flows away from the fossil fuels destroying the planet to a just transition centred on creating opportunity for people worldwide.”

ENDS

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]]> COP30: “If the EU is serious about defending multilateralism, it should now publicly support a TAFF roadmap” https://caneurope.org/cop30-if-the-eu-is-serious-about-defending-multilateralism-it-should-now-publicly-support-a-taff-roadmap/ Tue, 18 Nov 2025 15:55:46 +0000 https://caneurope.org/?p=29223 Belém, 18 November – Reacting to the COP30 Brazilian Presidency’s new text this morning: CAN Europe is concerned by the weak options on the table for supporting a roadmap for the transition away from fossil fuels. The EU has long been calling for a negotiated outcome to address the global ambition gap, and this is the […]

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]]> Belém, 18 November – Reacting to the COP30 Brazilian Presidency’s new text this morning:

CAN Europe is concerned by the weak options on the table for supporting a roadmap for the transition away from fossil fuels. The EU has long been calling for a negotiated outcome to address the global ambition gap, and this is the moment to finally stand up and put forward concrete proposals for what a Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels roadmap must deliver.

 

Chiara Martinelli, Director at CAN Europe:

“As we progress into the second week, this is the EU’s last real chance to demonstrate it is staying the course on implementing the Paris Agreement and to clearly anchor the roadmap in the 1.5°C goal. 

If the EU is serious about defending multilateralism and countering the rise of climate-denying leaders, it should now publicly and unequivocally support President Lula’s call for a TAFF roadmap in plenary. A credible roadmap should be coupled with clear domesctic fossil fuel phase-out dates, an end to fossil fuel subsidies, and concrete tools, support and initiatives to double energy efficiency and triple renewable energy, turning political signals into real implementation”.

ENDS.

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]]> Climate Action Engagement Fund: call for proposals now open! https://caneurope.org/climate-action-engagement-fund-call-now-open/ Mon, 24 Nov 2025 14:04:22 +0000 https://caneurope.org/?p=29178 The second call for proposals under the Climate Action Engagement Fund is now open! We aim to provide financial support to organisations and groups promoting just transition and climate justice in the European Union. Types of activities:  Raising awareness, critical understanding, and public engagement about climate justice and just transition. Mobilising people in Europe to […]

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]]> The second call for proposals under the Climate Action Engagement Fund is now open! We aim to provide financial support to organisations and groups promoting just transition and climate justice in the European Union.

Types of activities: 

  • Raising awareness, critical understanding, and public engagement about climate justice and just transition.
  • Mobilising people in Europe to act for climate justice and just transition.
  • Engaging with decision-makers in order to drive change.

 

Priorities: 

  • Cross-cutting priorities around a Just Transition: for instance, promoting an intersectional approach to climate justice, connecting climate and social justice, fostering stronger solidarity between people from the Global North and Global South.
  • Just transition, with a focus on housing & energy: strengthening the link between climate, social and housing justice.
  • A European Budget for a Socially Just Green Transition: bringing awareness to and fostering a public debate around the upcoming EU budget negotiations.

 

Who we are funding: 

  • We want to support small to medium organisations and groups based in the EU. This includes those that usually work with small budgets, have small teams, or find it hard to get grants or core funding.
  • We strongly encourage organisations and groups led by women/non-binary, youth, frontline communities, people with disability or people with a marginalised background or identity to apply.

 

Funding categories: 

  • Category 1: up to € 100,000.
  • Category 2: up to € 10,000.

 

Project duration:

From 6 to 19 months. Projects can start as early as April 1st, 2026.

Deadline to apply:

26 January 2026, 6:00PM CET.

 

To learn more about the priorities of the call, funding available, eligibility and how to apply, please read the full call for proposals.

Register here to join our online Q&A session, on 7 January 2026 at 11:30-13:00 (CET). For any question or issue with accessibility, please feel free to contact us at fundingfairerfutures@caneurope.org and we will do our best to answer and/or find a solution.

This call is one of five currently open within the Funding Fairer Futures initiative. Each fund has its own priorities, eligibility criteria and geographical focus, we recommend you read carefully the description of the five funds, to make sure you apply for the funding opportunity that best fits your organisation’s needs and profile.

Each Fund will hold its own information session, for more information, visit the webpages of the different funds below:  

  • Climate Action Engagement Fund: Coordinated by CAN Europe, this fund supports civil society organisations and groups promoting just transition and climate justice in the European Union.
  • Feminist Climate Action Fund: Coordinated by WECF, this fund supports feminist informal action groups and civil society organisations in Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Spain and Sweden to advance inclusive climate action.
  • Youth Climate Changemakers Fund: Coordinated by GCE, this fund supports youth-led nonprofit organisations in the European Union in implementing inclusive climate justice activities.
  • Regenerative Communities Fund: Coordinated by ECOLISE, this fund supports community-led initiatives working on climate action, regeneration, or just transition, in Croatia, Finland, France, Portugal and Spain.

 

About Funding Fairer Futures: Funding Fairer Futures is an initiative dedicated to strengthening the climate movement and building capacities for an inclusive, just transformation, by ensuring that the needs and perspectives of diverse stakeholders, including often marginalised communities, are heard and reflected in climate action.

If you would like to stay updated on upcoming news related to the Funding Fairer Futures project, sign up to our mailing list.

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]]> Invitation: COP30 Mid-Point Hybrid Press Briefing https://caneurope.org/invitation-cop30-mid-point-hybrid-press-briefing/ Sat, 15 Nov 2025 19:44:10 +0000 https://caneurope.org/?p=29164 Meeting room 24 – Area C (and online) Monday 17 November, 12.00-12.30 Belém time CAN Europe invites you to a concise mid-point media briefing, live from Belém, on Monday 17 November 12:00 – 12:30, Belém time. This event is held in the blue zone of COP30 and livestreamed via zoom, exclusively for journalists and will […]

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]]> Meeting room 24 – Area C (and online) Monday 17 November, 12.00-12.30 Belém time

CAN Europe invites you to a concise mid-point media briefing, live from Belém, on Monday 17 November 12:00 – 12:30, Belém time. This event is held in the blue zone of COP30 and livestreamed via zoom, exclusively for journalists and will not be recorded.

In this timely briefing, taking place at the first COP since the International Court of Justice clarified that ambitious climate action is a legal obligation, Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe will unpack progress in the negotiations so far, and the empty leadership seat that is yet to be filled.


Our panel of experts will discuss:

  • Scorecard on the EU’s actions at COP30 so far
  • The Belém Action Mechanism for a just transition
  • Adaptation finance 
  • The transition away from fossil fuels
  • Youth perspectives on the negotiations


Our expert speakers will explore these crucial issues, offering valuable context and analysis. The session will conclude with a Q&A.


Speakers:

  • Sven Harmeling, CAN Europe
  • Stephanny Ulivieri, Youth and Environment Europe
  • Claudio Angelo, Observatorio del clima
  • Marlene Achoki, CARE International

 

Registration link (for remote viewers only): https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_w5OjHCx1Ro2CXVSo6eoWUQ 

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]]> People power took over COP30: Tens of thousands marched for climate justice in Belém and across Europe https://caneurope.org/people-power-took-over-cop30/ Sat, 15 Nov 2025 17:08:58 +0000 https://caneurope.org/?p=29161 15 November, Belém/Brussels — Today, tens of thousands of people took to the streets in Belém, Brazil, during COP30 as part of the Global Days of Action, demanding climate justice and protection of the Indigenous rights. The European climate movements stood shoulder to shoulder with Belém and marches across the world, demanding a just, inclusive, […]

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]]> 15 November, Belém/Brussels — Today, tens of thousands of people took to the streets in Belém, Brazil, during COP30 as part of the Global Days of Action, demanding climate justice and protection of the Indigenous rights. The European climate movements stood shoulder to shoulder with Belém and marches across the world, demanding a just, inclusive, and community-led transition away from fossil fuels and mobilised citizens in more than 70 European cities across 15 European countries.

The actions were part of a growing international wave of solidarity with the People’s Summit (Cúpula dos Povos), a powerful convergence of people-led movements in Belém that amplifies frontline voices and promotes a vision for people-centred systemic change.

Joining the march in Belém, Javier Andaluz, Head of Climate and Energy at Ecologistas en Acción (Spain), said:

“Ten years since the Paris Agreement, we are still far from meeting the targets required by science, and our emissions continue to rise. In the face of this political inaction, we are taking to the streets once again to demand a just, urgent, and immediate transition. It is essential to establish a roadmap for ending fossil fuels and ensure the finance and support for a just transformation, leaving no one behind.” 

Leïla Réau, Project Manager at Swiss Youth for Climate, said:

“Whether it be Madrid, Prague, Lisbon, Copenhagen, Rome or Zurich, we are uniting across Europe to say that the same system fueling war, inequality and climate breakdown is the one destroying our democracies. We draw the line against destruction and for a future built on solidarity, care, and justice.”

The COP30 climate march was the first since COP26, as in the past few COPs, actions outside the official venue were restricted. Today’s march in Belém was led by Indigenous peoples, quilombola communities, fisherfolk, youth and workers, joined by local and international civil society organisations.

Pedro Moura, Senior Environmental Officer at Quercus (Portugal), said

“We stand with the peoples of the Amazon and communities worldwide resisting exploitation. We want to show that people, not profits, will shape the future. We demand safeguards to guarantee human rights in the Global South and push for the polluters to pay for the damage they cause.”

Monday will mark the start of the second half of the COP30 climate conference. CAN Europe demands that world leaders deliver the Belém Action Mechanism (BAM) for global just transition, agree on a roadmap to phase out fossil fuels, and scale up climate finance, particularly for adaptation.

ENDS

Notes to the editors

For further comments and interviews:

  • Jani Savolainen, jani.savolainen@caneurope.org / +358 504 66 78 31
  • Tomas Spragg Nilsson, tomas.spraggnilsson@caneurope.org / +46 707 65 63 92

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]]> 98 Civil Society Organisations Pledge for Fossil Free Politics https://caneurope.org/96-civil-society-organisations-pledge-for-fossil-free-politics/ Mon, 17 Nov 2025 11:56:06 +0000 https://caneurope.org/?p=29151 For decades, the fossil fuel industry has worked to block effective climate action – denying climate science data, delaying progress towards clean energy and distorting democratic debate. Through massive lobbying efforts, greenwashing campaigns, promoting false solutions, and even suing countries and communities for acting on climate, fossil fuel companies have prioritised profits over people and […]

The post 98 Civil Society Organisations Pledge for Fossil Free Politics appeared first on CAN Europe.

]]>

For decades, the fossil fuel industry has worked to block effective climate action – denying climate science data, delaying progress towards clean energy and distorting democratic debate. Through massive lobbying efforts, greenwashing campaigns, promoting false solutions, and even suing countries and communities for acting on climate, fossil fuel companies have prioritised profits over people and the planet.

This influence is consistently undermining the EU’s ability to deliver on the goals of the Paris Agreement and is delaying the just and urgent transition towards a 100% renewable energy system, needed for a safe and sustainable environment. To secure that future, we must draw a clear line: those responsible for the crisis -and who continue to benefit from it- must not shape its solutions. As we now enter the second week of COP30 in Belém, civil society is drawing a clear line: climate and energy policy for people, not polluters..

Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe, together with the Fossil Free Politics campaign, has launched the Civil Society Pledge for Fossil Free Politics, a collective call to end fossil fuel influence in policymaking. The Civil Society Pledge, signed by 98 civil society organisations is a commitment to:

  • Protect policymaking from fossil fuel capture, ensuring climate policies are shaped by and for people’s needs, not polluters’ profits.
  • Demand transparency from politicians on their interactions with the fossil fuel industry and their lobbyists.
  • Raise public awareness of the privileged access to decision makers that fossil fuel lobbyists continue to benefit from, despite profiting from an industry that harms people and the planet.
  • Make fossil free politics a fundamental part of our work by aligning our partnerships, event attendance, and public engagement with this goal.

Why is this important

While civil society organisations face smear campaigns, uncertain funding and access to policymakers, politicians continue to roll out the red carpet for the fossil fuel industry. The latest data show that during its 2019 – 2024 term of office, the Von der Leyen Commission held nearly 900 meetings with fossil fuel lobbyists – almost one every working day for four and a half years.

Ahead of COP30, over 225 organisations from around the world, including CAN Europe, signed a call for a COP free from polluters’ influence and with a strong accountability framework to protect against interference from vested interests and big polluters, urging the UNFCCC Presidency to stop inviting the world’s largest polluting industries.

Despite these calls, the problem remains. According to new research by the Kick Big Polluters Out coalition and Fossil Free Politics, 9 EU governments brought a total of 84 fossil fuel lobbyists to COP30, granting them access to the very process meant to deliver climate solutions. This contributed to the overall figure of 1,600 fossil fuel lobbyists at COP30, one in every 25 participants -showing that the very same industries driving the climate crisis still hold power over the negotiations meant to solve it.

With this pledge, civil society sends a united message: fossil fuel interests must be excluded from decision-making to ensure fair, science-based climate policies that put people and the planet first! 

NOTES: 

  1. Find the Pledge here.
  2. Find FAQs here.
  3. Do you still want to sign? Contact us:  joe.inwood@caneurope.org, julia.cabre.surroca@caneurope.org, marianna.plomariti@caneurope.org


The pledge was signed by:

  1. A Sud
  2. Act Church of Sweden
  3. Action Solidarité Tiers Monde (ASTM)
  4. AirClim
  5. Altro Modo Flegreo
  6. Amis de la Terre France / Friends of the Earth France
  7. Anti-Jindal & Anti-POSCO Movement (JPPSS)
  8. ASSOCIACIÓ CATALANA PER LA PAU
  9. Associazione Bianca Guidetti Serra
  10. Austrian Alliance for Climate Justice
  11. Bond Beter Leefmilieu
  12. Campagna Nazionale Per il Clima Fuori dal Fossile
  13. CAN Europe
  14. Canopea
  15. CEE Bankwatch Network
  16. Center for Climate Change
  17. Center for ecology and energy
  18. Center for Environment
  19. Center for environmental research and information Eko-svest Skopje
  20. Centre for Citizens Conserving Environment & Management (CECIC)
  21. Christian Aid Ireland
  22. CIDSE
  23. Clean Air Action Group
  24. Climate Alliance Switzerland / Alliance Climatique Suisse / Klima-Allianz Schweiz
  25. Co-ordination Office of the Austrian Bishops’ Conference for International Development and Mission (KOO)
  26. COBAS Brindisi
  27. Comitato Ulivivo
  28. Coordinamento Nazionale No Triv
  29. Coordinamento Ravennate Fuori dal Fossile
  30. Cordaid
  31. Debt Observatory in Globalisation (ODG)
  32. Deutsche Umwelthilfe
  33. eco-union
  34. ECODES
  35. Ecological Association EKO-UNIA
  36. Ecologistas en Acción
  37. Ecor.Network
  38. Ecoteam – Energy and Environmental Consulting non for profit NGO
  39. EDEN Center
  40. EEB
  41. EKOenergy ecolabel
  42. Electra Energy Cooperative
  43. Emergenzaclimatica.it
  44. Enginyeria sense Fronteres
  45. Environmental Association “Za Zemiata” – Friends of the Earth Bulgaria
  46. Environmental Justice Foundation
  47. Eurocadres
  48. Fastenaktion
  49. Fern
  50. Focus društvo za sonaraven razvoj
  51. Food & Water Action Europe
  52. Forests of the World
  53. Forum Ambientalista
  54. Friends of the Earth Europe
  55. Friends of the Earth Ireland
  56. Fronte Verde
  57. Fundacja Mission Possible
  58. Generation Climate Europe
  59. GLOBAL 2000
  60. Global Witness
  61. Go Green
  62. Green Liberty
  63. Greenpeace (European Unit)
  64. International Network for Sustainable Energy (INFORSE) – Europe
  65. Kolektiv Z
  66. Legambiente
  67. Les Amis de la Terre – Belgique asbl
  68. Magyar Természetvédők Szövetsége – Friends of the Earth Hungary
  69. Milieudefensie | FoE-NL
  70. Mouvement Ecologique
  71. Movimento No TAP/SNAM di Brindisi
  72. Naturefriends International
  73. No Gasdotto SNAM
  74. Plant-for-the-Planet
  75. PowerShift e.V.
  76. Pro Natura – Friends of the Earth Switzerland
  77. Protect the Planet – Gesellschaft für ökologischen Aufbruch
  78. Quercus – Associação Nacional de Conservação da Natureza
  79. ReCommon
  80. Rete Legalità per il clima 
  81. Rete Nazionale No Rigass No GNL
  82. Rise For Climate Belgium
  83. SAVE MY WORLD
  84. Seas At Risk
  85. Shifting Advocacy
  86. Swiss Youth for Climate (SYFC)
  87. The Climate Reality Project Europe
  88. Trócaire
  89. Ultima Generazione Lazio
  90. United for Global Mental Health
  91. Utviklingsdfondet / The Development Fund, Norway
  92. VšĮ “Žiedinė ekonomika”
  93. WISE Nederland
  94. Women Engage for a Common Future – WECF International
  95. World’s Youth for Climate Justice (WYCJ)
  96. WWF European Policy Office
  97. Youth and Environment Europe
  98. ZERO – Associação Sistema Terrestre Sustentável

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]]> CAN Europe – COP30 Mid-Point Review https://caneurope.org/cop30-mid-point-review/ Fri, 14 Nov 2025 08:52:11 +0000 https://caneurope.org/?p=29141 CAN Europe – COP30 Mid-Point Review Belém, 14 November 2025, As the first week of COP30 nears its close, negotiations are only inching forward. With the United States absent, the EU has a golden opportunity to fill the ambition gap and prove its worth, yet this leadership has so far failed to materialise in this […]

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]]> CAN Europe – COP30 Mid-Point Review

Belém, 14 November 2025, As the first week of COP30 nears its close, negotiations are only inching forward. With the United States absent, the EU has a golden opportunity to fill the ambition gap and prove its worth, yet this leadership has so far failed to materialise in this first week of negotiations in Belem. At the same time, despite the announced Brazilian Presidency’s efforts to keep polluters out, the influence of the fossil fuel lobby remains undeniable in Belém, with 129 fossil fuel representatives participating through European country delegations or business associations.

Belém is also the first COP since the International Court of Justice clarified that ambitious climate action is a legal obligation rooted in human rights and international law. Ten years after the Paris Agreement, this implementation COP must deliver on transitioning away from fossil fuels, establish a global  Just Transition Mechanism, and close the global ambition gap that continues to put vulnerable communities at risk worldwide.

Chiara Martinelli, Director at Climate Action Network Europe, said:

“In these talks, we no longer call the EU a global climate leader, not because it lacks the means or influence, but because it has not stepped up to the role. True leadership means showing up, from day one, for the whole package of justice outcomes, not cherry-picking items or hiding behind trade-offs.”

TAFF Decisions Ahead
At COP30, discussions on moving forward with a roadmap on transitioning away from fossil fuels are finally gaining political traction. However, they still fall short of the clarity and ambition needed to deliver the transformational shift of our energy systems that will keep 1.5°C within reach and provide a clear global response to the ambition gap identified by the Synthesis Report. The Colombia declaration represents a constructive attempt to build a coalition of political will needed to advance at this COP. While not as ambitious as science and equity require, the declaration plays a key role in assembling the critical mass necessary to shift negotiations toward the substance of a global fossil fuel phase-out. The EU must actively support initiatives that move in the right direction, including the TAFF roadmap proposed by President Lula. Early exchanges among Parties suggest greater openness to agreeing in Belém on a process to develop a TAFF roadmap, but real progress will depend on movement across other agenda items.

Looking ahead, governments must convert these political signals into concrete moves. Momentum is not enough: negotiators must put substance on the table to break the deadlock and ensure the roadmap drives real-world outcomes: rapidly reducing fossil fuel production and consumption while scaling up just, people-centred transitions in all regions. A credible COP30 outcome must firmly anchor a global transition away from fossil fuels, backed by detailed work starting immediately after Belém.

Sven Harmeling, Head of Climate at CAN Europe, said:
“Momentum around the transition away from fossil fuels is growing, but without a clear roadmap it risks becoming another empty promise. COP30 must agree on a concrete, EU-backed process to develop a global transition away from fossil fuels, one rooted in equity, science and the rapid phase-out of all fossil fuels.”

Waiting on the Belém BAM breakthrough
Negotiations on Just Transition started with a big step forward early in week one. The G77 supported the idea of the establishment of the Belém Action Mechanism (BAM), which is no mean feat considering the huge diversity of interest amongst the 134 nations in the group. Whilst sceptics remain, it’s worth mentioning that for many, COP30 will only be seen as a success if it delivers the Belém Action Mechanism, the global framework that makes Just Transition real. The mechanism should also include a global hub of practitioners and set the path for COP31 and COP32 to strengthen the Just Transition Work Programme and anchor BAM as a permanent coordination body.

EU governments must get behind the civil society call for a climate transition that truly puts people at the centre. Providing dignified livelihoods and safety to workers, communities and families affected by the fossil fuel phase-out, or the broader transition to a low-carbon global economy, is not a ‘nice to have’. It is as central to delivering a 1.5°C-aligned pathway as phasing out fossil fuels, scaling renewable energy, or mobilising climate finance.

What BAM brings to the table is something genuinely new. The current UN system is fragmented, with Just Transition initiatives scattered across siloes, lacking coordination and institutional weight. A Belém Action Mechanism would provide a well-funded, permanent hub of expertise to gather knowledge, guide policy direction, and support countries in designing and implementing people-centred transitions. Beyond institutional architecture, BAM also sends an unequivocal message to the fossil and extractive industries, often protected by concentrated wealth and political influence, that the global shift away from fossil fuels will be shaped around people, fairness and rights, not polluters.

James Trinder, International Climate Policy Coordinator, said:
 “COP30 must deliver a Just Transition that works for people and the planet. Early moves from a united G77 were promising, but so far the EU remains quiet on whether or not it will champion the call for a new international mechanism that turns promises into coordinated action. A real Just Transition needs a mechanism to ensure decent jobs, social protection, and fair access without delay to finance and technology, so that no one is left behind in the shift to a 1.5°C world.”

European fossil fuel lobby remains strong in Belém

Research published today by the Kick Big Polluters Out coalition revealed that a staggering 1,600 fossil fuel lobbyists have been granted access to COP30, a 12% increase from COP29. Fossil fuel lobbyists have received two thirds more passes to COP30 than all the delegates from the 10 most climate vulnerable nations combined (1061), highlighting how industry presence continues to dwarf that of those on the frontlines of the climate crisis.

At least 129 of the lobbyists were gifted their accreditation via official delegations of European countries and business associations. The biggest European offenders, who awarded badges to lobbyists through the ‘party overflow’ system, come from France (22), Sweden (18), Norway (17) and Denmark (11). 

Chiara Martinelli, Director at CAN Europe, said:

“The influence of fossil fuel lobbyists at COP from European delegations is consistently undermining the EU’s ability to deliver on the goals of the Paris Agreement. You cannot solve a problem by giving more power to those that caused it. It should be applauded though, that following sustained pressure from the Fossil Free Politics campaign, for the second year running the European Commission delegation did not include any fossil fuel lobbyists as part of their COP delegation”

– 

Quotes from the CAN Europe network:

 

Kerstin Opfer, Senior Advisor Energy Policy and Civil Society Africa, Germanwatch

“The world cannot afford to lose momentum after COP28’s historic agreement to transition away from fossil fuels. COP30 must now turn commitments into action. Colombia is building support for a declaration on the transition away from fossil fuels — an initiative that needs broad backing, particularly from the EU. But this alone is not enough. COP30 must go further and agree on a roadmap for the fair, orderly, and equitable transition. A growing coalition — including Germany, Denmark, and France — is already backing this effort. The EU should join this coalition and help lead the world toward a clean energy future.”

 

Anton Jaekel, Policy Advisor – EU and German Climate Diplomacy & Foreign Policy, E3G
“As COP30 prepares for ministers to arrive, the EU can turn intent into influence as it did in the past: by coming forward with proactive and concrete proposals. The EU should engage constructively towards a COP outcome that doubles down on climate cooperation, accelerates emissions cuts, advances adaptation, and sets a clear course to scale finance and investments, signalling a shift from negotiation to implementation. The EU should join its member states Germany, France and Denmark in the growing coalition supporting a transition away from fossil fuels, and contribute to a meaningful outcome on adaptation, including adaptation finance. The EU can also play a key role in shaping the proposed “Integrated Forum on Climate Change and Trade”.

 

Ana Mulio Alvarez, Policy Advisor – UNFCCC and Adaptation, E3G 

“As developing countries have made abundantly clear, adaptation finance must be a cornerstone of outcomes at COP30. With the Glasgow Pact to double adaptation finance expiring this year and the anticipated final adoption of the Global Goal on Adaptation, there is simply no better time to drive ambition. Together with its partners, the EU should step forward to lay out a path to provide predictability on adaptation finance going forward, including through the innovative sources of finance being launched at COP30. This is an opportunity to demonstrate leadership, build bridges, and ensure progress for global resilience.” 

 

Hamdi Benslama, EU Advocacy Advisor, ActionAid International: 

“The Global North’s climate debt keeps coming back to haunt it. In particular, the EU’s failure to step up on climate finance is undermining its leadership and ultimately its self-interest in climate negotiations. Without a clear commitment to pay up, the gap between its proclaimed climate ambitions and lack of tangible commitment will continue to be a stumbling block. The time for empty talk is over, financing for adaptation must be tripled, as countries hit hardest by climate change cannot continue to bear the brunt of a crisis they contributed the least to.”

 

Agnes Schim van der Loeff, Policy Advisor Climate Justice, ActionAid Netherlands
“If COP30 is to truly be the COP of inclusion and implementation, it needs to enable a global Just Transition that allows all countries to implement fair and inclusive climate action. Global South countries opened week 1 of negotiations with a strong collective proposal to turn Just Transition from paper principles to practice. This provides a real opportunity for COP30 to show the world that countries are really putting people at the heart of climate action. Without a Just Transition, we cannot achieve the ambitious climate action needed to keep the 1.5 goal alive.”

 

Mattias Söderberg, Global Climate Lead, DanChurchAid 

“The missing agenda points have still not been addressed. COP30 must deliver both on finance and mitigation, and parties should move out of their fixed positions to unlock this stalemate. The climate crisis is happening now — there are no excuses for delay. The momentum for a clear target for adaptation finance is growing. Adaptation is urgently needed around the world, and a target is crucial to ensure scaled up funding”  

 

John Nordbo – Senior Climate Change Advisor, CARE Denmark
“We are halfway through COP30, yet negotiations are barely inching forward. The same obstacles persist: weak climate plans and a chronic shortfall of climate finance. This is the moment for the EU to step up. Without predictable, grant-based finance, developing countries cannot raise their climate ambition — because there is no real climate action without real climate finance. As ministers arrive next week, they should be met with concrete text and clear options, not another round of circular discussions. Instead, talks are stalling, and powerful actors appear to be quietly steering us away from the ambition the world needs. If Europe leads on scaling up public finance — especially for adaptation — we can break the deadlock and get COP30 back on track.”

 

Marine Pouget, Policy Adviser for Global Governance, RAC France

“The COP opened five days ago in Belém, and the message is clear: our climate future is on the line. Global Stocktake 1 — meant to be the GPS of global climate action — has stalled since Baku. If countries don’t turn their 2023 promises into action, the whole process risks losing credibility. The countdown has begun: for GST2 to stay on track, it needs a solid scientific backbone, meaningful participatory formats such as people`s assemblies, and strong links to other negotiation tracks, like wagons in the same train. Without these connections, we stay stuck on the platform while the world expects us to move.”

 

Gaïa Febvre, Head of International Policy, RAC France

“By accrediting the largest number of fossil-fuel lobbyists among all EU countries, France is revealing its double standards: it is granting access to the very gravediggers of the Paris Agreement, even as it publicly declared today its support for a fossil-fuel phase-out roadmap proposed by President Lula. More broadly, the Kick Big Polluters Out report reminds us of the urgent need for the UNFCCC to finally adopt a robust conflict-of-interest policy. The solutions exist — they are within reach; what is missing is a clear political will to end the disproportionate influence of polluting industries over climate negotiations.”

 

Hilde Stroot, Climate Justice Policy Advisor, Oxfam

 “COP30 must show that multilateralism can still deliver – we need to see clear signals of building bridges and overcoming differences. Justice should be at the heart of any outcome to show people they are not forgotten. Adaptation finance is a lifeline for many people in vulnerable positions, like afro-descendants here in Brazil, and we urge the EU to show leadership and to provide sufficient and predictable adaptation finance going forward. Just Transition is another lifeline, and communities, workers, and countries in vulnerable positions cannot not be excluded. This first week showed that many parties understand this by supporting our call for an international mechanism, but we still need the EU on board.” 

 

Madeleine Alisa Wörner, Global Energy and International Climate Officer, Misereor 

“The 30th UN Climate Conference could become a turning point. The global energy transition has the potential to be advanced as part of the many different societal transformations. It is good news that there are currently many proposals on the table for how the move away from fossil fuels can be pursued collectively and fairly. In the coming week, with greater political weight, it will become clearer which path will be taken to shape the COP turning point together. For Misereor as a development organization, it is particularly important that initiatives from countries of the Global South receive strong support.”

 

Read more:

  1. Anonymised data on the fossil fuel lobby present in Belém, researched by the Kick Big Polluters Out coalition, can be found here.
  2. Next week, CAN Europe, together with the Fossil Free Politics campaign, will launch the Civil Society Pledge for Fossil Free Politics, a collective call to end fossil fuel influence in policymaking.
  3. The Belém Action Mechanism (BAM) for Just Transition is a new multilateral mechanism to orient the entire international system behind people-centred transitions at local and national levels, where workers and communities are in charge of decisions that affect their lives and livelihoods. The BAM must make funding and technical support accessible; coordinate just transition efforts within and beyond the UNFCCC; address the global rules that act as barriers to a Just Transition; build a global network of focal points for shared learning and collaboration; and ensure formal representation of rights-holders and groups made vulnerable. 
  4. CAN Europe COP30 Media Briefing

COP30 Press Contact:

Tomas Spragg Nilsson
tomas.spraggnilsson@caneurope.org / +46 707 65 63 92

Jani Savolainen
jani.savolainen@caneurope.org / +358 504 66 78 31

 

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]]> EU Parliament Backs 2040 Climate Target, But sticks to Council’s weakened plan https://caneurope.org/eu-parliament-backs-2040-climate-target-but-sticks-to-councils-weakened-plan/ Thu, 13 Nov 2025 10:58:52 +0000 https://caneurope.org/?p=29129 13 November 2025, Brussels – The EU Parliament Plenary voted today on the proposal to amend the European Climate Law by introducing the EU 2040 climate target. The vote upheld the text previously agreed at ENVI Committee, despite many EPP MEPs breaking ranks by voting against the report and tabling amendments to weaken the target […]

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]]> 13 November 2025, Brussels – The EU Parliament Plenary voted today on the proposal to amend the European Climate Law by introducing the EU 2040 climate target. The vote upheld the text previously agreed at ENVI Committee, despite many EPP MEPs breaking ranks by voting against the report and tabling amendments to weaken the target and further delay the start of ETS2. Thanks to the rest of  the EPP honouring the agreement for a 90% net 2040 climate target, the far-right attempt to scrap the target was once again averted.

However, while the worst has been avoided with the adoption of a 90% net reduction target by 2040, the compromise with the EPP came at a cost. Renew, S&D and the Greens were forced to accept a heavily watered-down text, less ambitious than the Commission proposal and extremely close to the Council position agreed last week. The Parliament’s text mirrors the Council’s  flexibilities to achieve the net 90% target, including up to 5% use of international credits and review clauses that could still undermine the headline target. Nevertheless, compared to the Council position, the Parliament text makes a few improvements, notably by strengthening the quality criteria for international credits.

Sven Harmeling, Head of Climate at CAN Europe, said:

“Today’s vote marks an important milestone: the European Parliament has endorsed the amendment to the Climate Law setting a 2040 target of 90% net emission reductions, despite ideologically driven resistance from the far right and parts of the conservatives. Yet the compromises reached by Member States and within Parliament have further weakened the Commission’s original proposal, which was already insufficient. Still, with strong support for a rapid expansion of renewable energy and the phase-out of fossil fuels, and a socially just approach, there remains an opportunity to shape the necessary transformation quickly and successfully through broad consensus.”

The three institutions – Council, Parliament, and Commission – must now negotiate the final deal in trilogue.

 

The post EU Parliament Backs 2040 Climate Target, But sticks to Council’s weakened plan appeared first on CAN Europe.

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