🔗 Share this article

The climate chief, the minister, has urged all nations to demonstrate the bravery needed to address the necessity of a worldwide fossil fuel phaseout, labeling the creation of a detailed plan as an “ethical” response to the climate crisis.

The minister emphasized, though, that participation in this process would be optional and “independently decided” for willing governments.

The topic remains one of the most contentious matters at the COP30 in Brazil, with nations split over if and how such a strategy can be addressed. Hosting the event, the nation has maintained a carefully neutral stance on which items can be placed on the formal schedule.

Silva voiced approval for the potential of a roadmap, though not directly pledging Brazil to it. The minister remarked: “In times we have a situation that is very challenging, it is good that we have a map. But the guide does not force us to travel, or to advance.”

In an interview, the minister noted: “The map is an answer to our scientific knowledge [of the climate emergency]. It is an ethical answer.”

Scores of nations gathered in Belém for the global climate conference, which is entering its next phase, are seeking to establish how a worldwide phaseout of fossil fuels could work. They aim to advance a historic agreement made two years ago at a previous UN summit to “transition away from fossil fuels.”

That pledge had no a timetable or details on how it could be realized, and even though it was passed by all, some nations have later attempted to disavow the pledge. Attempts last year to expand on its practical implications were blocked by opposition from oil-dependent nations at another UN summit.

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

For these reasons, the host has been cautious of demands by some countries to include the transition on the agenda for the current summit. But the minister has worked hard behind the scenes to make sure the pledge could be talked about at the summit apart from the official program.

She convinced Brazil’s leader, and he made public reference three times to the need to “move away from dependence on fossil fuels” at the global leaders' meeting that preceded COP30, and at the start of the summit.

“The issue is something that we know at a certain time had to be raised, because it is the only way to face the issue from the source,” the minister said. “We acknowledge that it is not easy, and we must not sell unrealistic expectations. Raising the subject is courageous, and I wish [to see] this bravery from all, from producers and using countries.”

Brazil had not initiated the push for a phaseout, the minister said, because that had been done at COP28. Rather, it was enabling the talks to occur in accordance with what certain countries desired. “We know these topics are sensitive. We will provide the opportunity to discuss it,” the minister said.

Time is insufficient at COP30 to create a roadmap, a task the minister called could take a number of years because many nations confronted complex issues around reliance on carbon-based energy, or wanted to use the proceeds from exporting oil and gas to finance their development.

“The country brings up the subject, because Brazil is both a producer and consumer,” she noted. “But the nation is different, because Brazil, if it wants to, does not have to rely on fossil fuels. We have to recognise that there are some that depend on carbon energy in their economic systems and don’t have easy alternatives, and others where fossil fuels are the foundation of their economic structure.

“To be just is to be fair to everyone, but the essential, basic justice is to avoid being unfair to the planet, because it is our home.”

If the pledge receives enough support, COP30 could set up a platform in which the work of drawing up a strategy to the phaseout could start.

This process would involve discussions with all signatory nations to the UN climate treaty and guidelines for how the initiative would unfold, the minister said. “Once we have criteria, a governance structure can be developed; after we have a strategy, and establish protections to be able to establish trust in the system, I believe that with these elements we can transform positive concepts into actions that are more defined, and more concrete.”

It is uncertain that a proposal to start developing a roadmap would win approval at COP30, even if it may not need the official approval of the conference, which proceeds by unanimous agreement and can be disrupted by particular groups. COP analysts have suggested they think there could be support for such a idea from about sixty countries, but there are believed to be at least forty opposed. There are one hundred ninety-five countries represented at the negotiations.

“Despite being the primary source of global warming, fossil fuels are about the most divisive topic there is within the international climate talks, so to see a chunky coalition of nations openly supporting a route to achieving global phaseout is in itself highly significant.”

“In simple terms, there’s no path to a world where temperature rise stays below 1.5 degrees in which countries cannot to discuss fossil fuel phaseout.”

“We need this language for real in this discussion. It’s quite stupid that we talk about all topics but that when the main issue are the real problem.”

Negotiations carried on on the weekend on four outstanding issues that have not yet been incorporated into the official agenda: commerce, transparency, finance and how to tackle the shortfall between the emissions cuts countries have proposed and those needed to hold to the 1.5-degree warming limit.

The COP30 president pledged a “document” that would address these matters, after discussions – which have been going on since Monday – were unresolved. He called on nations to adopt the “mutirão” spirit, meaning one of collaboration and positive dialogue.

Progress on other key issues – including adaptation to the impacts of the climate crisis, the just transition for those affected by the transition to a low-carbon economy and how to strengthen governance capabilities in less developed nations – proceeded constructively, the presidency said.

The host nation's lead representative said the technical phase of the summit proceedings was nearing completion, and the political stage – when government leaders who have the authority to alter their nations' positions join – was beginning.