Germany’s environment minister, Carsten Schneider, at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Brazil, said a roadmap for phasing out fossil fuels is needed.

Mr Schneider said this on Friday, as negotiations in Belém entered their final phase.

“We want to have a clear roadmap for phasing out fossil fuels,” the minister told broadcaster RTL/ntv.

Stronger, more credible emissions-reduction targets are necessary in light of global warming forecasts, Mr Schneider added.

COP30 is scheduled to end late on Friday, but many previous climate summits have been extended to secure a final agreement after last-ditch negotiations.

This year’s summit is likely to follow the pattern, especially after a fire interrupted proceedings for several hours on Thursday.

Germany, the European Union and dozens of other countries are insisting on a plan to phase out the climate-damaging burning of coal, oil and gas.

However, this is being blocked by other countries, and a unanimous agreement is required.

“The reduction targets presented so far, especially by the major emitters, are not yet optimal,” Mr Schneider told radio station Bayern 2. “They are not enough to steer us towards a 1.5 degree global warming target.”

The minister also said he was committed to ensuring that CO2 pricing is included in the final document, so more countries back the measure.

(dpa/NAN)