As negotiators gather in BONN for the mid-year United Nations climate talks, a crucial prelude to the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in belém, Brazil, governments are being urged to prioritize the phasing out of fossil fuels as a central component of global climate action.The conference in Bonn offers a pivotal possibility to translate previous pledges into concrete strategies.

Despite the historic commitment at COP28 to transition away from fossil fuels, COP29 saw limited tangible progress. Together, numerous governments are planning to ramp up fossil fuel production, supported by ongoing subsidies. Fossil fuels are still the primary culprit in the climate crisis, accounting for over 80 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions.

The Bonn conference should establish a clear, time-bound framework for transitioning away from fossil fuels. This includes setting specific targets and timelines to ensure accountability and progress.

National Climate Plans Under Scrutiny

This year, countries are expected to submit updated national climate plans, detailing their emission reduction strategies through 2035. Though, most countries have yet to submit these plans, and many of those already presented fall short of aligning with the goal of limiting global temperature increases to 1.5 degrees celsius. The Bonn talks provide a platform for governments to commit to ambitious climate plans, including concrete steps such as ending new fossil fuel exploration and licensing, phasing out government subsidies, and ensuring robust monitoring and accountability mechanisms.

“Governments meeting in Bonn should commit to ambitious national plans and a fossil fuel phaseout.”

COP30 and Brazil’s Leadership Role

The bonn conference also presents an opportunity to address a significant gap: the COP28 commitment to transition away from fossil fuels has not yet been formally integrated into the COP30 agenda. Brazil’s recent call for countries to demonstrate their implementation plans for the COP28 commitment should be followed by concerted efforts to ensure this issue takes center stage in Belém. As the host of COP30, Brazil bears a crucial obligation to lead these efforts.

Without immediate and decisive action, COP30 risks failing to deliver a credible response to the escalating climate crisis. The Bonn talks are a critical juncture for setting the stage for meaningful progress.