Dhaka, November 4, 2025 (EP Desk) - The fourth day of COP30 in Belém unfolded with heightened tension, political friction, and intensifying demands from civil society. Negotiations grew more complex as countries clashed on fossil fuels, finance, and fair-share responsibilities, while the COP Presidency pushed for breakthroughs as time rapidly runs out.
Core Negotiation Focus: “Phaseout vs Phasedown” Battle Deepens
The central conflict of Day 4 revolved around how—and how fast—the world will move away from fossil fuels.
• Climate-vulnerable nations (AOSIS, LDCs) insisted on a clear fossil fuel phaseout timeline, calling it necessary for survival.
• Oil-producing countries & several major economies advocated for a phasedown strategy, with greater reliance on carbon capture and technological solutions.
Lengthy discussions continued late into the evening, but no consensus was reached.
Climate Finance: “Where Are the Trillions?”
Finance negotiations were some of the most heated of the day.
Global South countries demanded:
• Real contributions to the Loss & Damage Fund
• A trillion-dollar-scale New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG)
• Fulfillment of past, unmet promises (the $100 billion pledge)
Experts noted very slow progress, with deep mistrust lingering from previous COP outcomes.
Fair-Shares NDCs: Science Pressures Countries to Reset Targets
New scientific assessments presented in Belém show that:
The world has no realistic pathway to 1.5°C under current NDCs. This brought renewed emphasis on Fair-Shares NDCs—a framework demanding that emission cuts and climate finance reflect each country’s:
• Historical responsibility
• Economic capability
• Equity metrics
Developing countries strongly supported this approach, saying it is essential for trust and cooperation.
COP30 Presidency Briefing: “We Need Courage to Break the Deadlock”
In the daily press briefing, the COP30 Presidency stated:
• Fossil fuel language remains one of the most divisive topics
• Climate finance is not progressing at the required pace
• High-level political engagement will intensify over the next 48 hours
The President acknowledged: “The world is still not aligned with scientific reality. We cannot negotiate with physics.”
Key Side Events of the Day
Amazon Indigenous Leaders Summit
• Indigenous leaders from across the Amazon warned: “If the forest falls, the world falls.”
• They demanded formal recognition of Indigenous leadership in forest governance.
Climate Finance Reset Dialogue
• Economists and civil society groups called for:
Debt cancellation
Grant-based climate finance
Global climate taxation mechanisms
Speakers argued the current global financial system makes effective climate action impossible.
Youth Climate Justice Forum
• Youth activists delivered powerful messages:b“Promises are not enough—show us real plans.”
• They demanded accountability and action on fossil fuel lobbying.
Nature-Based Solutions Expo
• Strong focus on models from Bangladesh, Kenya, and Brazil, including:
Mangrove restoration
Climate-resilient agriculture
Community-based adaptation innovations
Day 4 Summary
• Major disagreements on fossil fuel language persist
• Climate finance remains the biggest sticking point
• Scientific evidence puts pressure on countries to adopt fair-shares NDCs
• COP Presidency signals deep concern over slow progress
• Civil society, youth, and Indigenous voices are shaping the narrative more strongly
