Brazil's Environment Minister Calls for Courage to Create Fossil Fuel Phaseout Roadmap at COP30

Brazil’s environment minister, Marina Silva, has called on all nations to demonstrate the bravery needed to confront the imperative of a global transition away from fossil fuels, labeling the development of a roadmap as an “moral” response to the global warming emergency.

She stressed, however, that participation in this process would be voluntary and “self-determined” for interested governments.

The topic stands as one of the most debated matters at the COP30 in the host country, with nations divided over if and how such a roadmap can be discussed. As the host, the nation has maintained a carefully neutral position on what can be placed on the official agenda.

The official expressed support for the potential of a roadmap, without explicitly committing the country to it. The minister stated: “In times we have a situation that is quite grim, it is good that we have a map. But the guide does not force us to travel, or to climb.”

Speaking further, the minister noted: “The map is an response to our scientific understanding [of the climate emergency]. It is an moral response.”

Dozens of nations meeting in the host city for the UN climate summit, which is starting its second week, are seeking to determine how a worldwide transition of fossil fuels could work. These nations hope to advance a landmark agreement made two years ago at a previous UN summit to “transition away from non-renewable energy sources.”

That commitment had no a timetable or details on the way it could be achieved, and although it was adopted by all, some nations have since tried to back away from the pledge. Attempts last year to expand on its practical implications were stymied by resistance from oil-dependent nations at COP29.

Consequently, there was no reference of the transition away from carbon fuels in the outcome of COP29.

Because of this, the host has been wary of demands by some countries to place the phaseout on the agenda for COP30. But Silva has strived behind the scenes to make sure the topic 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 summit of world leaders that came before COP30, and at the start of the summit.

“This is a matter that we know at some point had to be raised, because it is the sole way to face the problem from the root,” Marina Silva said. “We recognise that it is not easy, and we cannot sell false hopes. Bringing up the topic is brave, and I wish [to see] this bravery from all, from producing nations and consumers.”

Brazil had not started the call for a phaseout, she clarified, because that had been initiated at COP28. Instead, it was enabling the talks to occur in accordance with what certain countries wished. “We understand these topics are delicate. We will give the opportunity to discuss it,” she added.

There is not enough time at the summit to draw up a roadmap, a process Silva said could take several years because numerous nations faced complex challenges around dependence on carbon-based energy, or aimed to use the proceeds from exporting fossil fuels to fund their development.

“Brazil brings up the topic, because it is both a producer and user,” she said. “But Brazil is unique, because Brazil, if it wants to, does not have to depend on fossil fuels. We have to recognise that there are some that depend on fossil fuels in their economies and don’t have simple alternatives, and some where oil and gas are the foundation of their economy.

“To be fair is to be fair to all, but the fundamental, basic justice is not being unfair to the planet, because it is our home.”

Should the pledge gains sufficient backing, COP30 could establish a platform in which the work of drawing up a roadmap to the transition could start.

The endeavor would involve dialogue with all participating countries to the UN climate treaty and criteria for how the initiative would proceed, Silva explained. “After we have standards, a management framework can be developed; after we have a plan, and establish safeguards to be able to establish confidence in the process, I believe that with these elements we can turn good ideas into actions that are clearer, and more tangible.”

There is no guarantee that a proposal to start developing a plan would win approval at COP30, even if it may not need the formal consent of the conference, which proceeds by consensus and can be disrupted by special interests. COP experts have indicated they think there could be support for such a proposal from about 60 countries, but there are thought to be at least forty against. There are 195 nations represented at the negotiations.

“Despite being the root cause of global warming, carbon-based energy are about the most contentious topic there is within the UN negotiations, so to see a sizable group of nations openly supporting a path to realizing global phaseout is in itself pretty groundbreaking.”

“In simple terms, there’s no route to a world where warming remains below 1.5 degrees in which countries aren’t able to discuss ending fossil fuel use.”

“We need this wording for real in this conversation. It’s highly illogical that we discuss all topics but that when fossil fuels are the actual problem.”

Discussions carried on on Saturday on four outstanding topics that have still not been incorporated into the official agenda: trade, transparency, funding and how to address the shortfall between the emissions cuts countries have proposed and those needed to keep to the 1.5C warming target.

A COP30 chair promised a “document” that would address these matters, after consultations – which have been underway since Monday – were unresolved. The official urged countries to adopt the “mutirão” attitude, referring to one of cooperation and constructive discussion.

Work on additional substantive topics – such as adjustment to the impacts of the climate crisis, the fair shift for those impacted by the transition to a low-carbon economic system and how to strengthen institutional capacity in less developed nations – proceeded constructively, the presidency reported.

Brazil’s chief negotiator stated the technical part of the summit proceedings was nearing completion, and the high-level phase – when ministers who have the authority to alter their countries’ stances join – was starting.