A win for a fairer, greener future – but COP30 still falls short

• Published:
• Short URL: https://www.oxfam.org.uk/mc/he3qsw/

After an intense all-night standoff, COP30 secured a major step forward on just transition – but otherwise misses the mark on the bold action needed to protect communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis.

  • COP30 delivers a breakthrough on a just transition, marking progress towards a fair and inclusive shift to a greener future for workers and communities.
  • Despite this win, the summit falls short on urgent climate action, with no concrete commitments on finance or phasing out fossil fuels.
  • Oxfam urges the UK to lead by example, turning promises into policies that fund and accelerate a fair phase-out of fossil fuels at home and globally.

Image: based on photos by Emmanuel Museruka/Oxfam, Fadrach Nirere/Fridays For Future Uganda, AlessandroBiasciolo/Shutterstock, Leslie Searles/Oxfam, Rob Rickman/Oxfam

A collage featuring climate activists from around the world

Just transition secured, but urgent climate action still missing

Reacting to the news out of Belem, Brazil, Beth John, Climate Justice Advisor at Oxfam GB, said:

"COP30’s agreement on a just transition mechanism is a major win and a significant step forward for ensuring the transition to a greener future is fair, inclusive and protects the rights of communities and workers.

"But, with the urgency of the climate crisis all too clear, this COP should have moved the world much closer to implementing the policies we need to provide real change for communities on the frontlines of this crisis.

"Without concrete commitments on finance, or phasing out fossil fuels, these negotiations still fall short."

Photo credit: Oxfam International

Activists dressed up in big heads that represent world leaders - all dressed as surgeons doing poor surgery on the planet.

Oxfam activists at the COP

The UK must turn words into action

"A truly just transition requires countries like the UK, who built their fortunes on fossil fuels, to provide public, grants-based finance at the scale needed.

It is clear that the UK wants to be seen to be taking a lead on the transition away from fossil fuels. But it is one thing to make positive statements on the global stage and another to make them reality.

It is now vitally important that the UK government avoids hypocrisy and turns these words into actual policies that achieve a fast, funded and fair phase out of fossil fuels, both internationally and at home."

The right to a fairer, liveable future

To help tackle climate change, we're calling on governments to take bold action. That means urgently reducing emissions and significantly increasing finance to help communities around the world combat the effects of a changing climate.

Every day, together with volunteers and local partners, we support communities to stand up and speak out for their right to a fairer, liveable future.

Join us: Fight for climate justice. Power to the people and the planet. Tax the super-rich.

Join the call to make rich polluters pay

Press contact

For comments, interviews, or information please contact the Oxfam GB Media Team:

Your next read

SLEEPING ON THE JOB: Ahead of #COP30, Oxfam staged a Big Heads protest in Belem, Brazil to call out rich nations for their climate inaction.
From billionaires to the 99%: The inequality of climate change

Ever wondered how inequality and the climate crisis cross over with each other?

 The richest 1% own almost half the worlds wealth - whilst 44% of the worlds population live in poverty
5 reasons why we must tax the super-rich

Discover 5 reasons why taxing the super rich is key to stopping spiralling inequality and poverty.