🔗 Share this article

The environment minister, the minister, has called on all nations to demonstrate the bravery needed to confront the necessity of a global transition away from fossil fuels, describing the development of a detailed plan as an “ethical” answer to the global warming emergency.

She emphasized, though, that participation in this endeavor would be optional and “self-determined” for interested nations.

The topic stands as one of the most debated subjects at the COP30 in the host country, with nations split over if and in what way such a strategy can be discussed. Hosting the event, Brazil has adopted a carefully neutral position on which items can be placed on the formal schedule.

The official expressed support for the potential of a roadmap, though not explicitly committing Brazil to it. She stated: “In times we have a terrain that is very challenging, it is good that we have a guide. But the guide does not force us to proceed, or to climb.”

Speaking further, she added: “The roadmap is an response to our scientific understanding [of the climate emergency]. It is an ethical answer.”

Scores of countries gathered in the host city for the UN climate summit, which is starting its next phase, are seeking to determine how a global phaseout of oil, gas, and coal could be implemented. These nations hope to advance a historic resolution reached two years ago at a previous UN summit to “transition away from fossil fuels.”

The pledge lacked a schedule or details on how it could be achieved, and even though it was adopted by all, some countries have since tried to disavow the promise. Attempts last year to elaborate on its practical implications were blocked by opposition from petrostates at COP29.

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

For these reasons, Brazil has been wary of demands by some countries to place the phaseout on the agenda for COP30. But Silva has strived in private to make sure the topic could be discussed at the summit apart from the official program.

The minister convinced the nation's leader, who made mention repeatedly to the need to “shift from reliance on traditional energy” at the summit of world leaders that preceded the conference, and at the start of the summit.

“This is something that we understand at a certain time had to be put forward, because it is the sole way to address the problem from the root,” the minister explained. “We acknowledge that it is not easy, and we cannot sell unrealistic expectations. Raising the subject is courageous, and I hope [to see] this bravery from everyone, from producing nations and consumers.”

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

Time is insufficient at COP30 to create a roadmap, a task the minister said could take several years because many nations confronted complicated issues around dependence on fossil fuels, or aimed to use the proceeds from exporting oil and gas to fund their development.

“The country brings up the topic, because it is simultaneously a producer and user,” the minister noted. “But the nation is different, because it, if it wants to, does not have to depend on non-renewables. We have to understand that there are certain nations that rely on carbon energy in their economic systems and lack simple solutions, and others where fossil fuels are the basis of their economic structure.

“To be just is to be fair to everyone, but the essential, basic fairness is not being unjust to the planet, because it is our shared home.”

Should the proposal gains enough support, the summit could establish a platform in which the process of drawing up a strategy to the phaseout could begin.

The endeavor would involve dialogue with every participating nations to the UN climate treaty and guidelines for how the initiative would proceed, the minister explained. “After we have standards, a management framework can be developed; once we have a plan, and create safeguards to be able to build confidence in the system, I believe that with these elements we can turn good ideas into steps that are more defined, and more tangible.”

It is uncertain that a proposal to begin developing a plan would be accepted at the conference, although it may not need the formal consent of the summit, which proceeds by consensus and can be disrupted by special interests. Climate experts have indicated they think there could be backing for such a proposal from about sixty nations, but there are thought to be at least forty opposed. There are one hundred ninety-five nations participating at the talks.

“In spite of being the root cause of global warming, fossil fuels are about the most contentious subject there is within the international climate talks, so to see a chunky coalition of countries publicly supporting a route to realizing global phaseout is in itself highly significant.”

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

“We need this wording for real in this discussion. It’s highly illogical that we talk about all topics but then when the main issue are the actual problem.”

Discussions carried on on the weekend on four outstanding issues that have not yet been included into the official schedule: commerce, transparency, finance and how to address the gap between the emissions cuts nations have planned and those needed to keep to the 1.5-degree temperature limit.

A summit chair pledged a “document” that would cover these issues, after consultations – which have been underway since the start of the week – were inconclusive. The official called on countries to adopt the “mutirão” attitude, meaning one of cooperation and constructive discussion.

Progress on additional key issues – including adjustment to the effects of the climate emergency, the fair shift for those affected by the move to a low-carbon economic system and how to build institutional capacity in developing countries – carried on constructively, the presidency said.

Brazil’s lead representative said the technical part of the COP proceedings was nearing completion, and the high-level phase – when ministers who have the power to alter their countries’ stances join – was starting.