COP30 climate talks: draft negotiating text published – Friends of the Earth reaction

Responding to the publication of the draft “mutirão” text that has come out of the negotiations at the UN climate talks, which includes wording on the development of a “just transition mechanism”, Asad Rehman, chief executive of Friends of the Earth England, Wales and Northern Ireland, said:

“It’s nothing short of momentous that a mechanism for a fair and just transition has made it into the draft text. This injects some hope that this process can deliver concrete outcomes and that we can secure a transition to a greener future that is fair, just as well as clean.  

“This victory comes after tens of thousands of our supporters in the UK stood alongside a global movement representing workers, climate justice campaigners and youth organisations who not only got it on the table, but were instrumental in making sure it stayed in the text. This reaffirms what we’ve always known: people power is the answer. By harnessing our collective strength we have changed the conversation at these talks.

“As we head towards the final outcome, we must not see attempts to weaken this crucial part of the text by richer nations. This includes the UK, which has been one of the biggest blockers during this process.”

Commenting further on how progress on other key issues at the climate talks have played out, Rehman added:

“On finance the UK is still nowhere near providing the level of cash needed, whether it’s for adaptation or the transition itself. This remains the biggest underlying question of the talks. We need real finance to help the most climate-vulnerable countries respond to the crisis we face, not smoke and mirrors funding which just heaps on more debt, or merely acts as an accounting trick. 

“By creating a fairer global tax system we could shore up much of the cash we need which would see the biggest polluters and the super-rich pay their fair share. Despite growing calls to address widening wealth inequality at home, the UK remains a key blocker on this.

“We’ve also heard a lot about various roadmaps – on phasing out fossil fuels and on forests – but what we don’t want is a roadmap to nowhere. With 1.5C slipping away, those already bearing the brunt of the crisis - be it in Hull or Manila - need more than empty words, they need concrete action. The UK must lead by example by creating its own roadmap to a greener society that is fast, fair, and leaves no one behind. This is how it can really do its fair share.”

ENDS