The ongoing U.N. climate summit in Belém, Brazil, entered a tense phase on Thursday after thousands of delegates were abruptly evacuated from the venue. Security personnel formed a human barrier across the hallway as precautionary measures intensified. According to organisers, an official update is expected at 8 p.m. local time (2300 GMT) after a thorough safety assessment is completed.
This unexpected disruption comes at a critical moment for the conference, which brings together nearly 200 nations to negotiate solutions for one of humanity’s most urgent challenges — climate change. With the summit already behind schedule, the added security scare has heightened concerns about whether participating countries will reach meaningful agreements before the deadline.
Negotiations Under Pressure
Prior to the evacuation, the summit had already missed a self-imposed Wednesday deadline. Delegates were expected to finalize agreements on crucial issues such as scaling up climate finance and progressing toward a global shift away from fossil fuel dependence. These topics remain among the most contentious in climate diplomacy, often dividing developed and developing nations.
To move discussions forward, Brazil circulated a draft agreement on Thursday. However, negotiators told Reuters that the proposed text notably lacked a clear roadmap for transitioning away from fossil fuels — a key demand for many nations and climate advocacy groups. While the document is still being debated, its omissions have sparked concern that the summit may fall short of producing ambitious commitments.
The Fossil Fuel Debate
Fossil fuels continue to be at the heart of global climate negotiations. Emissions from burning coal, oil, and gas account for the largest share of heat-trapping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, making them the leading driver of global warming. Scientists warn that without a rapid and significant move away from these energy sources, the world risks overshooting critical temperature thresholds that could lead to irreversible climate impacts.
Despite the urgency, global agreement on phasing out fossil fuels has remained elusive. Many countries rely heavily on them for economic stability or energy security, and some major oil and gas producers resist commitments that could undermine their industries.
Less Than 48 Hours to Deliver
The summit is scheduled to conclude in less than 48 hours, leaving negotiators with minimal time to reach a consensus. Brazil, as host nation, has described this meeting as a pivotal moment to push global climate action forward. The government hopes that the outcomes will demonstrate broad international support for turning decades of promises made at previous COP meetings into concrete, measurable actions.
Whether the remaining time will be enough to bridge political divides remains uncertain. But with global temperatures rising, extreme weather intensifying, and public pressure mounting, the world will be watching to see if leaders can rise to the moment.