🔗 Share this article

Brazil’s climate chief, the minister, has called on all nations to demonstrate the courage needed to confront the imperative of a worldwide fossil fuel phaseout, labeling the development of a detailed plan as an “moral” response to the global warming emergency.

She stressed, however, that involvement in this endeavor would be optional and “independently decided” for interested nations.

This issue remains one of the most contentious subjects at the UN climate summit in Brazil, with countries divided over whether and how such a roadmap can be addressed. As the host, the nation has adopted a carefully neutral position on which items can be included on the official agenda.

The official expressed support for the possibility of a roadmap, without explicitly pledging the country to it. The minister remarked: “When we have a terrain that is very challenging, it is good that we have a map. But the guide does not compel us to proceed, 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 ethical response.”

Dozens of countries meeting in the host city for the UN climate summit, which is starting its next phase, are aiming to determine how a worldwide transition of oil, gas, and coal could work. These nations hope to advance a historic resolution reached two years ago at COP28 to “move away from fossil fuels.”

The commitment lacked a timetable or specifics on how it could be achieved, and even though it was passed unanimously, several nations have since attempted to back away from the promise. Attempts last year to elaborate on its practical implications were blocked by opposition from oil-dependent nations at another UN summit.

Consequently, there was no mention of the shift away from fossil fuels in the outcome of COP29.

Because of this, the host has been cautious of calls by some countries to place the phaseout on the agenda for COP30. But the minister has worked hard behind the scenes to make sure the topic could be discussed at the conference apart from the official program.

She convinced Brazil’s leader, and he gave public reference repeatedly to the need to “shift from dependence on traditional energy” at the summit of world leaders that preceded the conference, and at the start of the event.

“The issue is something that we know at a certain time had to be put forward, because it is the sole way to face the problem from the source,” the minister explained. “We acknowledge that it is not easy, and we cannot sell unrealistic expectations. Raising the subject is brave, and I wish [to see] this bravery from everyone, from producers and consumers.”

The nation had not started the push for a transition, the minister clarified, because that had been initiated at the earlier summit. Instead, it was enabling the discussions to take place in accordance with what certain nations desired. “We know these topics are sensitive. We will provide the chance to talk about it,” the minister added.

There is not enough time at COP30 to draw up a roadmap, a task the minister said could take a number of years because many nations faced complex challenges around dependence on carbon-based energy, or wanted to use the proceeds from selling oil and gas to fund their economic growth.

“The country raises the subject, because Brazil is both a producing nation and user,” the minister noted. “But Brazil is unique, because it, if it chooses to, need not depend on fossil fuels. We have to understand that there are certain nations that rely on fossil fuels in their economic systems and don’t have easy alternatives, and some where fossil fuels are the foundation of their economy.

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

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

This endeavor would require dialogue with all signatory countries to the UN framework convention on climate change and criteria for how the process would unfold, the minister explained. “Once we have criteria, a governance structure can be developed; after we have a strategy, and create protections to be able to build trust in the system, I am confident that with these elements we can transform good ideas into actions that are clearer, and more tangible.”

It is uncertain that a proposal to start drawing up a plan would be accepted at COP30, even if it does not require the formal consent of the summit, which operates by unanimous agreement and can be hijacked by special interests. COP analysts have indicated they think there could be backing for such a proposal from about sixty countries, but there are thought to be at least forty against. A total of 195 countries represented at the negotiations.

“Despite being the primary source of climate change, carbon-based energy are about the most contentious topic there is within the international climate talks, so to see a sizable coalition of countries openly supporting a route to realizing global transition is in itself pretty groundbreaking.”

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

“We require this wording for real in this conversation. It’s quite stupid that we talk about everything but then when fossil fuels are the actual challenge.”

Negotiations continued on Saturday on several unresolved issues that have still not been incorporated into the formal agenda: commerce, transparency, finance and how to tackle the gap between the emissions cuts countries have planned and those needed to keep to the 1.5C temperature limit.

The summit chair promised a “document” that would address these matters, after discussions – which have been going on since the start of the week – were inconclusive. He called on nations to embrace the “mutirão” attitude, meaning one of collaboration and constructive dialogue.

Work on additional substantive issues – such as adaptation to the effects of the climate emergency, the fair shift for those affected by the transition to a low-carbon economy and how to strengthen institutional capacity in less developed nations – carried on constructively, the host reported.

The host nation's lead representative said the technical part of the COP process was nearing completion, and the political stage – when government leaders who have the power to change their countries’ positions arrive – was beginning.