‘Our future is being burnt down’: youth activists call for fossil phaseout at Cop30 – as it happened

Thousands of youth activists from around the world presented a global youth statement calling for “full, fast, fair fossil phase-out”

So many ministers gathered today, to join the Mutirão call for a fossil fuel roadmap, that there were challenges fitting them all behind a podium. During a press conference to unite in support of a just, orderly, and equitable transition away from fossil fuels representatives from around the world spoke about the urgent need for a plan for a phase out.

“Today we bring today many diverse interests who all support the call for a roadmap,” Tina Stege, of the Marshall Islands said, flanked by dozens standing behind her. “The best chance of landing an agreement at this COP is in the Mutirão package,” she said. “The current reference in the text is weak and is presented as an option - it must be strengthened and it must be adopted. That is why you see all these countries here today.”

The group included representatives from Sierra Leone and Kenya. The German representative said nearly all of Europe was behind it. Marcele Oliveira, a youth champion, took the mic to loud applause.

“We need to do this now,” she said. “This is the most important mobilization around climate justice for our generation – so let’s make this happen.”

The UK’s Secretary of State for Energy Ed Miliband, a stalwart of Cop conferences, was also at the podium, speaking in support of the roadmap. “This is an issue that must not be ignored, cannot be ignored, and we are saying very very clearly must be at the heart of Cop.”

Cover photo:  Britain's secretary of state for energy Ed Miliband speaks during the call from ministers for a fossil fuel roadmap Photograph: Adriano Machado/Reuters