🔗 Share this article

Brazil’s environment minister, the minister, has called on every country to demonstrate the bravery needed to address the imperative of a worldwide fossil fuel phaseout, labeling the creation of a roadmap as an “moral” answer to the climate crisis.

She emphasized, though, that participation in this process would be voluntary and “independently decided” for willing nations.

The topic remains one of the most contentious matters at the UN climate summit in Brazil, with nations divided over whether and how such a roadmap can be addressed. As the host, Brazil has maintained a balanced position on what can be placed on the formal schedule.

Silva voiced approval for the possibility of a roadmap, without directly pledging the country to it. She stated: “In times we have a terrain that is quite grim, it is good that we have a map. But the map does not force us to travel, or to advance.”

In an interview, she added: “The roadmap is an response to our scientific knowledge [of the climate crisis]. It is an ethical answer.”

Dozens of countries gathered in Belém for the global climate conference, which is entering its next phase, are aiming to establish how a global phaseout of fossil fuels could work. These nations aim to build on a historic resolution made two years ago at COP28 to “move away from fossil fuels.”

That commitment had no a schedule or specifics on how it could be realized, and even though it was adopted by all, some countries have since attempted to back away from the promise. Efforts last year to elaborate on its real-world implications were stymied by resistance from oil-dependent nations at COP29.

As a result, there was no mention of the transition away from carbon fuels in the outcome of that conference.

Because of this, Brazil has been cautious of demands by certain nations to place the transition on the agenda for COP30. But Silva has worked hard in private to ensure the pledge could be discussed at the summit apart from the official agenda.

The minister convinced Brazil’s leader, who made public reference 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.

“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 root,” Marina Silva said. “We acknowledge that it is not easy, and we must not offer unrealistic expectations. Bringing up the subject is brave, and I hope [to see] this courage from everyone, from producers and using countries.”

The nation had not started the push for a phaseout, the minister clarified, because that had been initiated at COP28. Rather, it was enabling the discussions to occur in accordance with what some countries wished. “We know these subjects are delicate. We will provide the chance to talk about it,” the minister added.

Time is insufficient at the summit to draw up a roadmap, a process the minister said could take several years because many nations faced complex issues around dependence on carbon-based energy, or aimed to use the proceeds from exporting oil and gas to finance their economic growth.

“The country brings up the topic, because Brazil is simultaneously a producer and user,” the minister said. “But Brazil is different, because Brazil, if it chooses to, does not have to rely on fossil fuels. We have to recognise that there are some that depend on carbon energy in their economies and lack simple alternatives, and others where oil and gas are the basis of their economy.

“To be just is to be just to all, but the fundamental, basic fairness is not being unjust to the planet, because it is our home.”

If the proposal receives enough support, COP30 could establish a platform in which the process of drawing up a roadmap to the transition could begin.

The endeavor would require discussions with all participating nations to the UN framework convention on climate change and guidelines for how the process would unfold, the minister said. “Once we have criteria, a management framework can be drawn up; once we have a plan, 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 more defined, and more tangible.”

There is no guarantee that a suggestion to start drawing up a roadmap would be accepted at the conference, even if it does not require the official consent of the conference, which operates by unanimous agreement and can be disrupted by particular groups. COP experts have suggested they think there could be support for such a proposal from about sixty countries, but there are believed to be at least 40 against. There are 195 countries participating at the talks.

“Despite being the root cause of climate change, carbon-based energy are about the most contentious subject there is within the international climate talks, so to see a sizable group of nations openly backing a route to achieving global phaseout is in itself highly significant.”

“In simple terms, there’s no path to a planet where temperature rise remains below 1.5C in which countries cannot to talk about fossil fuel phaseout.”

“We require this language for actual in this discussion. It’s quite stupid that we discuss all topics but then when fossil fuels are the actual problem.”

Discussions carried on on Saturday on four outstanding issues that have not yet been included into the official schedule: commerce, openness, funding and how to address the shortfall between the carbon reduction nations have planned and those required to keep to the 1.5-degree temperature limit.

A summit president pledged a “document” that would address these matters, after discussions – which have been underway since Monday – were inconclusive. The official urged countries to adopt the “mutirão” spirit, referring to one of cooperation and positive dialogue.

Work on other key issues – such as adjustment to the effects of the climate crisis, the just transition for those affected by the move to a green economic system and how to build governance capabilities in developing countries – carried on productively, the presidency said.

Brazil’s lead representative stated the technical phase of the summit process was approaching the end, and the political phase – when ministers who have the authority to alter their countries’ stances join – was starting.