The environment minister, Marina Silva, has urged every country to demonstrate the bravery needed to confront the imperative of a worldwide transition away from fossil fuels, describing the development of a roadmap as an “ethical” response to the climate crisis.
She emphasized, however, that involvement in this endeavor would be optional and “self-determined” for interested nations.
The topic remains one of the most contentious subjects at the COP30 in the host country, with countries divided over whether and in what way such a roadmap can be discussed. Hosting the event, Brazil has adopted a carefully neutral position on which items can be included on the official agenda.
The official voiced approval for the potential of a roadmap, though not explicitly committing Brazil to it. The minister remarked: “When we have a situation that is quite grim, it is helpful that we have a map. But the guide does not compel us to travel, or to climb.”
In an interview, she added: “The map is an answer to our scientific knowledge [of the climate emergency]. It is an ethical answer.”
Scores of countries meeting in Belém for the global climate conference, which is starting its second week, are seeking to determine how a global phaseout of fossil fuels could be implemented. These nations hope to advance a historic agreement reached two years ago at a previous UN summit to “move away from fossil fuels.”
The pledge lacked a schedule or specifics on how it could be achieved, and even though it was adopted by all, some countries have since attempted to back away from the pledge. Efforts last year to expand on its practical implications were blocked by opposition from petrostates at another UN summit.
Consequently, there was no reference of the shift away from carbon fuels in the final agreement of COP29.
For these reasons, Brazil has been cautious of demands by some nations to include the transition on the schedule for COP30. But the minister has worked hard behind the scenes to make sure the pledge could be talked about at the conference apart from the official agenda.
The minister convinced the nation's president, and he gave mention repeatedly to the need to “move away from reliance on fossil fuels” at the global leaders' meeting that preceded the conference, and at the start of the summit.
“The issue is a matter that we understand at some point had to be raised, because it is the sole way to address the problem from the root,” the minister explained. “We acknowledge that it is challenging, and we cannot sell unrealistic expectations. Raising the topic is brave, and I hope [to see] this bravery from everyone, from producing nations and consumers.”
The nation had not initiated the call for a phaseout, she clarified, because that had been done at the earlier summit. Rather, it was enabling the talks to occur in line with what certain nations wished. “We understand these subjects are delicate. We will provide the chance to discuss it,” she added.
There is not enough time at COP30 to draw up a roadmap, a task the minister called could take a number of years because numerous countries confronted complicated issues around dependence on carbon-based energy, or wanted to use the revenue from selling fossil fuels to finance their development.
“The country brings up the topic, because it is both a producer and user,” the minister noted. “But Brazil is unique, because it, if it chooses to, does not have to rely on non-renewables. We have to understand that there are certain nations that rely on fossil fuels in their economic systems and lack easy solutions, and some where oil and gas are the basis of their economy.
“To be just is to be fair to all, but the fundamental, basic justice is to avoid being unjust to the Earth, because it is our shared home.”
Should the pledge gains sufficient support, the summit could establish a forum in which the work of drawing up a strategy to the transition could start.
This endeavor would involve discussions with all signatory nations to the UN climate treaty and criteria for how the initiative would proceed, the minister said. “After we have standards, a governance structure can be drawn up; after we have a plan, and establish safeguards to be able to build confidence in the process, I am confident that with these components we can turn good ideas into steps that are clearer, and more concrete.”
It is uncertain that a suggestion to start drawing up a roadmap would win approval at COP30, even if it does not require the official consent of the conference, which proceeds by unanimous agreement and can be hijacked by special interests. Climate analysts have indicated they think there could be backing for such a proposal from about 60 nations, but there are thought to be at least forty opposed. A total of 195 countries participating at the negotiations.
“In spite of being the primary source of climate change, carbon-based energy are about the most divisive subject there is within the international climate talks, so to see a chunky coalition of nations publicly backing a path to realizing global transition is in itself pretty groundbreaking.”
“In simple terms, there’s no route to a world where warming remains below 1.5C in which nations cannot to talk about fossil fuel phaseout.”
“We require this wording for real in this discussion. It’s quite stupid that we talk about everything but that when fossil fuels are the real challenge.”
Negotiations continued on the weekend on four unresolved issues that have still not been included into the official agenda: trade, transparency, finance and how to tackle the shortfall between the emissions cuts nations have planned and those needed to keep to the 1.5-degree temperature limit.
A summit president promised a “document” that would address these issues, after consultations – which have been underway since Monday – were unresolved. He called on nations to adopt the “mutirão” attitude, meaning one of cooperation and positive discussion.
Progress on additional key topics – including adaptation to the impacts of the climate emergency, the fair shift for those affected by the move to a green economic system and how to build governance capabilities in less developed nations – carried on productively, the host said.
Brazil’s chief negotiator stated the detailed phase of the summit process was approaching completion, and the high-level phase – when ministers who have the power to alter their countries’ stances arrive – was beginning.
Lena Hoffmann is a seasoned journalist with a passion for uncovering stories that matter, specializing in German current affairs and digital media trends.
