The climate chief, Marina Silva, has urged every country to show the courage needed to address the imperative of a global fossil fuel phaseout, labeling the creation of a roadmap as an “ethical” answer to the global warming emergency.
She stressed, however, that involvement in this endeavor would be optional and “independently decided” for willing nations.
The topic stands as one of the most debated subjects at the COP30 in the host country, with nations split over if and how such a strategy can be addressed. Hosting the event, the nation has maintained a carefully neutral position on which items can be placed on the formal schedule.
The official expressed approval for the possibility of a roadmap, though not explicitly pledging Brazil to it. The minister stated: “When we have a terrain that is quite grim, it is helpful that we have a map. But the map does not force us to travel, or to advance.”
In an interview, the minister noted: “The roadmap is an answer to our scientific knowledge [of the climate emergency]. It is an moral answer.”
Dozens of countries gathered in the host city for the global climate conference, which is entering its second week, are aiming to determine how a worldwide transition of fossil fuels could work. These nations aim to advance a historic agreement made two years ago at a previous UN summit to “move away from fossil fuels.”
That commitment lacked a schedule or details on the way it could be realized, and even though it was passed by all, some countries have later attempted to disavow the promise. Efforts last year to elaborate on its real-world implications were blocked by opposition from oil-dependent nations at COP29.
Consequently, there was no reference of the shift away from fossil fuels in the outcome of that conference.
Because of this, Brazil has been wary of calls by certain countries to include the phaseout on the schedule for COP30. But Silva has worked hard behind the scenes to make sure the topic could be talked about at the summit outside the official program.
The minister convinced Brazil’s president, who gave public reference three times to the need to “shift from dependence on fossil fuels” at the summit of world leaders that preceded COP30, and at the opening of the summit.
“The issue is a matter that we know at a certain time had to be put forward, because it is the only way to address the problem from the root,” the minister explained. “We recognise that it is challenging, and we cannot offer false hopes. Bringing up the subject is courageous, and I hope [to see] this courage from all, from producers and consumers.”
The nation had not initiated the call for a phaseout, the minister clarified, because that had been done at the earlier summit. Rather, it was allowing the discussions to occur in line with what certain nations wished. “We understand these topics are delicate. We will give the chance to talk about it,” she said.
There is not enough time at COP30 to create a detailed plan, a process the minister called could take several years because many countries faced complicated issues around dependence on carbon-based energy, or aimed to use the proceeds from exporting fossil fuels to fund their development.
“Brazil brings up the topic, because it is simultaneously a producing nation and consumer,” the minister said. “But the nation is different, because Brazil, if it wants to, does not have to rely on fossil fuels. We have to understand that there are certain nations that depend on carbon energy in their economic systems and lack simple solutions, and some where fossil fuels are the basis of their economic structure.
“To be fair is to be just to everyone, but the essential, primordial fairness is to avoid being unfair to the Earth, because it is our shared home.”
Should the proposal receives enough support, the summit could establish a platform in which the process of drawing up a roadmap to the transition could start.
The process would involve discussions with all participating countries to the UN framework convention on climate change and criteria for how the process would unfold, the minister explained. “After we have criteria, a governance structure can be drawn up; once we have a plan, and create protections to be able to build confidence in the process, I believe that with these elements we can turn good ideas into actions that are clearer, and more tangible.”
It is uncertain that a suggestion to start drawing up a roadmap would be accepted at the conference, even if it does not require the official approval of the conference, which operates by unanimous agreement and can be hijacked by particular groups. Climate analysts have indicated they think there could be backing for such a proposal from about 60 nations, but there are believed to be at least forty opposed. A total of 195 nations represented at the talks.
“In spite of being the root cause of global warming, carbon-based energy are about the most contentious topic there is within the international climate talks, so to see a chunky group of nations openly backing a path to achieving global transition is in itself highly significant.”
“Put simply, there’s no route to a world where warming stays below 1.5 degrees in which countries cannot to talk about ending fossil fuel use.”
“We require this language for actual in this conversation. It’s quite stupid that we talk about all topics but that when the main issue are the actual problem.”
Negotiations continued on Saturday on several outstanding issues that have still not been incorporated into the formal schedule: trade, openness, funding and how to tackle the shortfall between the carbon reduction nations have proposed and those required to hold to the 1.5C temperature target.
The COP30 president promised a “note” that would address these matters, after consultations – which have been underway since Monday – were unresolved. The official urged countries to embrace the “mutirão” spirit, meaning one of collaboration and positive discussion.
Work on additional key topics – such as adjustment to the impacts of the climate crisis, the just transition for those impacted by the transition to a green economic system and how to build institutional capacity in developing countries – carried on productively, the presidency reported.
Brazil’s chief negotiator said the technical part of the summit process was nearing the end, and the high-level phase – when government leaders who have the authority to alter their countries’ positions join – was starting.
