On the final day of COP 30, the international networks Demand Climate Justice (DCJ) and Climate Action Network International, which represent hundreds of organizations around the world, held a joint press briefing to publicly denounce the roadmap presented in the negotiations. The networks argue that the document brings no real commitments on climate finance and has been used as a tool to block the most urgent demands of the peoples of the Global South. Lidy Nacpil, from the Asian Peoples’ Movement on Debt and Development and a member of DCJ, delivered the statement.
The organizations explained that they have taken part in mobilizations that pushed for strong language on a rapid, equitable and just transition away from fossil fuels, including during the Dubai COP. According to Lidy, no transition is possible without climate finance, and this condition is even more critical for countries of the South, which face historic inequalities worsened by the climate crisis.
The criticism of the so-called roadmap grew stronger in the face of what the networks describe as an attempt by the Global North to manufacture consent and spread false narratives. For them, the document is empty because it contains no concrete commitments, offers no clear mechanisms to ensure a just transition and instead blocks progress at every stage of the negotiations. They also argue that the roadmap is being used to stall other essential issues such as reparations, historical responsibility and means of implementation.
In the same position, Nancy Kacungira emphasized that the roadmap completely ignores the realities faced by the most affected communities. “This document does not speak with us or for us. It serves the interests of those who profit from destruction and tries to turn our legitimate demands into political noise. We will not accept this,” she said.
Lidy also disputed the narrative that tries to portray developing countries as lacking ambition. For the networks, this argument does not reflect reality and serves to shift responsibility away from those who emit the most and profit the most from the climate crisis. They expect COP 30 to be a COP of truth, as announced by the Presidency, and for that to mean recognizing who is truly blocking progress.
The message delivered by the organizations was direct. Without clear climate finance and concrete guarantees for a just transition, the proposed roadmap has no meaning for the peoples of the Global South, who are already living through the harshest impacts of the climate crisis.