COP31: Global calls for fossil fuel phaseout roadmaps go unanswered by COP31 Presidencies

Despite calls from countries, UNSG and civil society, COP31 Presidencies risk squandering growing global momentum for a just transition away from fossil fuels, as Energy Day highlights the broad agreement and momentum across parties to pair fossil fuel phase-out with renewable-powered electrification.

ANTALYA, TÜRKİYE: Climate organisations at COP31 are calling on the COP31 presidents to turn growing international support for moving away from fossil fuels into a clear commitment at COP31, either through the final agreement or a plan led by the COP Presidencies to keep the work moving towards the next Global Stocktake. Australia and Türkiye will be to blame if this opportunity is allowed to slip away.

Today's high-level events on roadmaps for transitioning away from fossil fuels saw strong support from countries across negotiating blocs, alongside UN Secretary-General António Guterres, former COP Presidents and ministers, for continuing the initiative launched by Brazil's COP30 Presidency in Belém last year. Critically, these roadmaps for transition must be fair and funded, supporting developing countries to transition away from fossil fuels and to affordable renewables.

The message to the incoming COP31 Presidencies was clear: the roadmap process must move forward. However, while Türkiye indicated it was open to considering the initiative, Australia offered no clear pathway for taking it forward.

On Energy Day, the launch of the Electrify Now Finance Coalition also highlighted growing international recognition that electrification is essential to delivering the energy transition. Climate organisations welcomed efforts to mobilise investment in clean electrification, particularly in developing economies, but stressed that electrification cannot substitute for a clear commitment to phase out coal, oil and gas, and that it must be powered by renewables, displace fossil fuels, support energy access and be underpinned by climate finance.

Fenton Lutunatabua, Pacific and Caribbean Program Manager at 350.org, said:

“Today's discussions have made one thing abundantly clear: the political mandate for a just and equitable transition away from fossil fuels is there. Countries from across negotiating blocs, alongside the UN Secretary-General, have called on Türkiye and Australia to carry this process forward. The ball is now firmly in the COP31 Presidencies' court.

“It is deeply concerning that the two governments responsible for leading these negotiations are failing to show the leadership this moment demands. Australia chose to put up a roadblock rather than offer a pathway forward, while Türkiye stopped short of explaining how it intends to take the roadmap process forward. The world cannot afford another COP where governments acknowledge the need to move beyond fossil fuels but fail to agree on how to make it happen.

“If Australia is unwilling to advance this agenda, Türkiye must lead rather than allow one of the world's most fossil-fuel-dependent governments to hold back progress. The political support is there. What is missing is the leadership to turn it into action.”

Fanny Petitbon, Policy Analyst at 350.org said :

“Electrifying our economies and breaking free from fossil fuels are two sides of the same coin. Wiring up more homes, transport and factories achieves little if the grid runs on coal and gas and no country can walk away from fossil fuels without affordable renewable energy to replace them.

“We welcome the momentum COP31 has built behind electrification and efforts to mobilise finance for clean energy, particularly in developing countries. But electrification must be powered by renewables, accessible and affordable for everyone, and rooted in equity and climate justice. It must not leave the countries and communities already hit hardest by the climate crisis with new debts to pay, or reproduce the same inequalities and corporate control that have defined the fossil fuel era.”

350.org is calling on all governments to develop national and regional roadmaps to phase out fossil fuels in a just, orderly, equitable and ambitious manner. These must include clear timelines and deadlines against which governments can be held accountable, underpinned by adequate climate finance to enable developing countries to deliver their transitions.

They are urging the COP31 Presidencies to:

• Ensure electrification delivers real emissions cuts in line with the 1.5°C goal, by committing to renewable-powered electrification and accelerating the phase-out of fossil fuel production and use, preventing rising electricity demand from driving a new expansion of fossil gas.
• Connect the process to the second Global Stocktake (GST2): Ensure that political commitments translate into concrete action and stronger national transition plans.
• Put fairness and climate justice at the heart of the transition, with rich countries providing public finance on fair terms, at the scale and speed needed, and making the Just Transition Mechanism operational so workers, people and communities are supported through the change.

Today's Energy Day discussions demonstrated that the international appetite for action is growing. The launch of the Electrify Now Finance Coalition offers an opportunity to accelerate renewable-powered electrification that brings energy access for people, but this must be matched by political leadership to end fossil fuel dependence.

Fanny Petitbon

“COP31 must bring these agendas together: a clear, fair and financed pathway away from fossil fuels, alongside an acceleration of renewable energy and electrification that delivers for people, not polluters.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

• The roadmap initiative for transitioning away from fossil fuels was launched by Brazil's COP30 Presidency in Belém in 2025.
• The COP28 Global Stocktake called on countries to transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems in a just, orderly and equitable manner.
• The Electrify Now Finance Coalition launched at COP31 on 10 November 2026 to mobilise investment in clean electrification across emerging and developing economies.
• The second Global Stocktake (GST2) is the next assessment of collective progress under the Paris Agreement.

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