BELÉM, BRAZIL, Friday 21 November 2025 — In response to the announcement that Australia has joined the Belém Declaration for the Transition Away From Fossil Fuels, Dr Simon Bradshaw, COP31 Lead at Greenpeace Australia Pacific, speaking from Belém said:
“This is the strongest ever statement from Australia on fossil fuels, and we intend to hold them to it. By signing the Belém Declaration, Australia is acknowledging that our legally binding international commitment to limit warming to 1.5°C means no new fossil fuels.
“The Declaration, launched alongside the formal COP30 negotiations, also reaffirms the landmark, Pacific-led advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice, which ruled that green-lighting new fossil fuels projects today is an ‘internationally wrongful act’ and risks breaching international law.
“But cheering from the sidelines is not enough. Australia needs to jump into the ring and fight for a roadmap away from fossil fuels within the formal COP30 negotiations.
“We must see action, not empty words. As the incoming President of COP31 negotiations, Australia must use its role to drive climate ambition based on the law and the science, champion Pacific priorities, and do everything possible to ensure we get a better outcome here in Belém.”
-ENDS-
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