🔗 Share this article

Brazil’s environment minister, the minister, has urged all nations to demonstrate the courage needed to confront the necessity of a global transition away from fossil fuels, describing the development of a roadmap as an “moral” response to the global warming emergency.

The minister stressed, though, that involvement in this process would be voluntary and “independently decided” for willing governments.

The topic stands as one of the most debated matters at the UN climate summit in the host country, with countries divided over whether and in what way such a roadmap can be addressed. As the host, the nation has maintained a carefully neutral position on what can be included on the formal agenda.

The official expressed approval for the possibility of a plan, without directly pledging the country to it. The minister remarked: “When we have a situation that is very challenging, it is helpful that we have a guide. But the map does not force us to travel, or to advance.”

In an interview, the minister added: “The map is an response to our scientific understanding [of the climate emergency]. It is an moral answer.”

Scores of nations meeting in the host city for the global climate conference, which is entering its second week, are seeking to establish how a worldwide phaseout of fossil fuels could work. They hope to advance a landmark resolution made two years ago at COP28 to “transition away from non-renewable energy sources.”

The commitment lacked a schedule or specifics on how it could be achieved, and although it was adopted unanimously, several nations have since tried to disavow the promise. Efforts last year to expand on its real-world meaning were blocked by opposition from petrostates at another UN summit.

Consequently, there was no reference of the transition away from carbon fuels in the final agreement of COP29.

Because of this, the host has been wary of demands by certain countries to include the phaseout on the agenda for COP30. But the minister has worked hard behind the scenes to make sure the pledge could be discussed at the conference apart from the official program.

She convinced the nation's leader, who gave mention three times to the need to “shift from reliance on fossil fuels” at the global leaders' meeting that came before COP30, and at the start of the summit.

“The issue is something that we know at a certain time had to be put forward, because it is the sole way to address the problem from the source,” Marina Silva said. “We acknowledge that it is not easy, and we cannot offer unrealistic expectations. Bringing up the topic is brave, and I wish [to see] this bravery from everyone, from producers and using countries.”

Brazil had not initiated the call for a phaseout, the minister said, because that had been done at COP28. Rather, it was allowing the discussions to occur in line with what some nations wished. “We know these subjects are sensitive. We will provide the chance to talk about it,” she said.

Time is insufficient at the summit to create a roadmap, a task Silva called could take a number of years because numerous countries faced complex challenges around dependence on carbon-based energy, or wanted to use the proceeds from exporting fossil fuels to fund their development.

“Brazil raises the subject, because it is both a producing nation and user,” the minister said. “But the nation is unique, because Brazil, if it chooses to, does not have to rely on non-renewables. We have to understand that there are certain nations that rely on fossil fuels in their economic systems and lack simple alternatives, and some where fossil fuels are the foundation of their economic structure.

“To be just is to be fair to all, but the essential, basic fairness is to avoid being unjust to the planet, because it is our shared home.”

If the proposal receives sufficient backing, the summit could establish a platform in which the process of creating a roadmap to the phaseout could start.

This endeavor would require dialogue with all signatory countries to the UN framework convention on climate change and criteria for how the process would unfold, the minister said. “After we have standards, a governance structure can be developed; after we have a strategy, and create protections to be able to establish confidence in the process, I believe that with these components we can transform good ideas into steps that are clearer, and more tangible.”

There is no guarantee that a suggestion to begin developing a roadmap would win approval at COP30, although it does not require the formal approval of the conference, which proceeds by unanimous agreement and can be disrupted by special interests. COP experts have suggested they think there could be backing for such a idea from about sixty countries, but there are thought to be at least 40 against. There are one hundred ninety-five nations participating at the talks.

“In spite of being the root cause of climate change, carbon-based energy are about the most divisive subject there is within the UN negotiations, so to see a chunky group of nations publicly supporting a path to realizing global phaseout is in itself highly significant.”

“Put simply, there’s no route to a world where temperature rise stays below 1.5 degrees in which countries aren’t able to talk about ending fossil fuel use.”

“We need this wording for actual in this discussion. It’s quite stupid that we discuss everything but that when fossil fuels are the real challenge.”

Discussions continued on Saturday on several unresolved issues that have not yet been included into the formal schedule: trade, transparency, funding and how to address the gap between the carbon reduction nations have planned and those required to hold to the 1.5C temperature target.

A summit president pledged a “note” that would address these issues, after consultations – which have been going on since the start of the week – were unresolved. The official called on nations to embrace the “mutirão” spirit, meaning one of cooperation and constructive dialogue.

Progress on additional substantive topics – including adaptation to the effects of the climate crisis, the just transition for those affected by the move to a green economy and how to strengthen governance capabilities in developing countries – carried on productively, the host said.

Brazil’s chief negotiator stated the detailed phase of the summit process was nearing the end, and the high-level phase – when ministers who have the authority to alter their nations' stances join – was beginning.