Science Weekly Bitter rows and overnight talks: how a fragile Cop30 deal was agreed
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Nov 24, 2025 Fiona Harvey, Environment editor at The Guardian, brings her expertise on climate negotiations to the discussion. She delves into the dramatic final moments of COP30 in Brazil, where delegates faced intense disagreements but ultimately reached a deal. Key topics include the contentious phasing out of fossil fuels, the challenges of climate finance, and the disappointing outcomes for deforestation efforts. Harvey also highlights the geopolitical factors that shaped the summit, marking a breakthrough in the discussion of fossil fuels, even amid delays and setbacks.
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Drama, All-Nighters, And A Deal
- Delegates reached a deal after threatened walkouts and 12 hours of overnight negotiations.
- The final package was called the Global Mutrau and was agreed amid dramatic scenes, including a rainstorm and a conference centre fire.
Fossil Fuels Finally On The Table
- Fossil fuels became the central issue at COP30 after decades of avoidance.
- The talks finally opened space to discuss phasing out fossil fuels, even if progress was limited.
Roadmap Shifted To Voluntary Track
- The roadmap to phase out fossil fuels was moved out of the legally binding text into a voluntary process.
- That shift weakened enforceability but kept the talks alive and avoided a total collapse.