Brazil's Minister Calls for Boldness to Establish Fossil Fuel Phase-out Plan at COP30

Brazil’s environment minister, the minister, has called on every country to demonstrate the bravery needed to confront the necessity of a global transition away from fossil fuels, describing the creation of a roadmap as an “moral” answer to the global warming emergency.

She stressed, though, that participation in this endeavor would be optional and “independently decided” for willing governments.

This issue stands as one of the most contentious subjects at the UN climate summit in the host country, with countries divided over if and in what way such a roadmap can be addressed. Hosting the event, Brazil has adopted a carefully neutral stance on what can be placed on the formal schedule.

The official expressed support for the potential of a roadmap, though not explicitly pledging the country to it. She stated: “In times we have a situation that is quite grim, it is good that we have a map. But the map does not force us to proceed, or to climb.”

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

Dozens of countries gathered in Belém for the UN climate summit, which is entering its next phase, are seeking to determine how a worldwide transition of fossil fuels could work. They hope to build on a landmark agreement reached two years ago at COP28 to “transition away from fossil fuels.”

The commitment had no a schedule or specifics on the way it could be achieved, and although it was adopted by all, several nations have later tried to disavow the pledge. Attempts last year to elaborate on its real-world meaning were stymied by opposition from petrostates at another UN summit.

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

Because of this, the host has been cautious of demands by some countries to place the transition on the agenda for COP30. But Silva has worked hard in private to make sure the pledge could be talked about at the summit apart from the formal program.

She won over Brazil’s leader, who gave mention three times to the need to “move away from reliance on traditional energy” at the global leaders' meeting that preceded COP30, and at the start of the event.

“The issue is something that we understand at a certain time had to be put forward, because it is the sole way to face the issue from the source,” the minister said. “We recognise that it is not easy, and we cannot offer false hopes. Bringing up the topic is courageous, and I wish [to see] this bravery from all, from producing nations and using countries.”

The nation had not initiated the call for a transition, she said, because that had been done at COP28. Rather, it was enabling the discussions to take place in accordance with what certain countries desired. “We know these subjects are sensitive. We will provide the opportunity to discuss it,” the minister added.

There is not enough time at the summit to draw up a detailed plan, a task Silva said could take several years because many countries faced complicated challenges around dependence on carbon-based energy, or wanted to use the revenue from exporting fossil fuels to fund their development.

“The country raises the subject, because it is simultaneously a producing nation and user,” the minister noted. “But Brazil is different, because it, if it chooses to, does not have to depend on fossil fuels. We have to understand that there are some that depend on fossil fuels in their economies and lack simple alternatives, and some where fossil fuels are the basis of their economy.

“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 sufficient backing, COP30 could establish a platform in which the work of creating a roadmap to the phaseout could begin.

The process would involve discussions with every participating countries to the UN framework convention on climate change and criteria for how the initiative would unfold, the minister said. “Once we have standards, a management framework can be drawn up; once we have a strategy, and create protections to be able to establish confidence in the process, I am confident that with these elements we can turn good ideas into steps that are more defined, and more concrete.”

It is uncertain that a suggestion to start drawing up a plan would win approval at the conference, even if it does not require the formal consent of the summit, which proceeds by consensus and can be hijacked by particular groups. COP experts have indicated they think there could be support for such a idea from about 60 countries, but there are thought to be at least forty against. There are 195 countries represented at the talks.

“In spite of being the root cause of global warming, carbon-based energy are about the most divisive topic there is within the international climate talks, so to see a chunky group of countries publicly backing a route to achieving global phaseout is in itself pretty groundbreaking.”

“Put simply, there’s no route to a world where warming remains below 1.5C in which nations cannot to talk about fossil fuel phaseout.”

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

Negotiations continued on the weekend on several unresolved topics that have not yet been included into the formal schedule: commerce, openness, funding and how to address the gap between the emissions cuts nations have planned and those needed to hold to the 1.5C warming limit.

A summit chair pledged a “document” that would address these issues, after consultations – which have been underway since Monday – were inconclusive. He urged nations to adopt the “mutirão” spirit, meaning one of cooperation and constructive dialogue.

Work on other key issues – including adjustment to the effects of the climate crisis, the just transition for those impacted by the move to a low-carbon economic system and how to build institutional capacity in less developed nations – proceeded productively, the host reported.

The host nation's chief negotiator said the technical phase of the COP process was approaching the end, and the political phase – when ministers who have the power to alter their nations' positions arrive – was beginning.