Belarus Endorses Clean Energy Ministerial Future Fuels Action Plan at COP30

Belarus Joins Global Push for Sustainable Fuels

Belarus was among 23 countries that officially endorsed the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) Future Fuels Action Plan at the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil. The endorsement, announced on November 14, 2025, signifies a commitment to accelerating the global transition towards sustainable energy sources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The Future Fuels Action Plan: Objectives and Scope

The CEM Future Fuels Action Plan, formally launched at COP30 under the 'Belém 4X' Pledge, is a comprehensive initiative designed to boost the deployment and utilization of sustainable fuels worldwide. The core objective of the 'Belém 4X' initiative is to quadruple the use of sustainable fuels by 2035, using 2024 levels as a baseline. This ambitious plan comprises 20 collaborative actions involving governments, industry, and partner organizations.

The Action Plan is structured around three key pillars:

• Demand Creation: Fostering increased demand for future fuels across various sectors.
• Lifecycle Carbon Accounting: Promoting transparent and consistent methods for measuring the carbon footprint of these fuels.
• Markets and Infrastructure: Developing the necessary market mechanisms and physical infrastructure for global future fuel value chains.

Sustainable fuels encompass a range of options, including sustainable biofuels, clean hydrogen and its derivatives (such as ammonia, e-fuels, and e-methane), and sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). These are crucial for decarbonizing sectors where direct electrification is challenging, such as aviation, shipping, and heavy industries like cement and steel production.

COP30: A Platform for Climate Action

The 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) is taking place in Belém, Brazil, from November 10 to 21, 2025. This global summit serves as a critical forum for delegates from nearly every country to negotiate climate goals, present national plans, and report on progress. Brazil, as the COP30 presidency, has emphasized the importance of multilateralism and scientific integrity in addressing climate change. A significant focus of the conference is to establish indicators for measuring progress towards the Global Goal on Adaptation.

Belarus's Broader Commitment to Climate Mitigation

Belarus has consistently articulated its commitment to mitigating climate change. In a statement at a BRICS summit in July 2025, Maxim Ryzhenkov, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus, highlighted the country's national security priority of mitigating climate change effects and maintaining a favorable environment. Belarus has implemented national programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and has approved strategies for adaptation in agriculture, forestry, and water resource management. The country aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 35% from 1990 levels by 2030. Furthermore, Belarus has increased its use of renewable energy sources and is actively developing electric transport infrastructure.