November 20, 2025, 07:29November 20, 2025, 07:29
The EU wants to make progress at the World Climate Conference on a plan for the global phase-out of coal, oil and gas – and has presented its own draft text in the final stages of the negotiations. It is considered extremely important that the desired plan is as ambitious and comprehensive as possible, said the Dutch EU Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra in Belém, Brazil. «And we must ensure that not only the Europeans, but as many others as possible can support this roadmap. That’s why we’re putting our own proposal on the table.”
EU Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra speaks in Belém, Brazil.Image: AP
Regardless of what is decided to adapt to the climate crisis, clarity about the procedure for phasing out coal, oil and gas is “in our view a decisive factor for the success of this conference,” said Hoekstra. We therefore decided to work even harder on this. The EU also pointed out that the states’ current climate protection plans are far from sufficient to stop global warming at 1.5 degrees.
Aiming for a roadmap for phasing out coal, oil and gas
The day before, Germany and dozens of other states had already campaigned in Belém for a roadmap to move away from oil, gas and coal – now the EU as a group of states has followed suit. Environment Minister Carsten Schneider (SPD) said it was about “freeing yourself” from fossil fuels. However, rich Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia, which continue to earn billions from oil and gas, are resisting such a plan in Belém.
Hoekstra emphasized that it was important to take into account not only the planned move away from coal, oil and gas in the plan, but also what the climate conference in Dubai had decided two years ago: At that time, it was agreed to triple the capacity of renewable energies by 2030 and to double the pace of increasing energy efficiency.
The climate conference is taking place in Brazil. picture: ap
Host also wants to present new texts
The Brazilian host wants to present new draft texts for a final document shortly. Then it will become clear whether the EU’s proposals will prevail and find approval among other groups of countries.
At the same time, there is also a debate in the EU about weakening climate protection; the EU-wide end to new combustion engines after 2035 is at stake. The EU Commission has announced that it will review the target this year. (sda/dpa)