🔗 Share this article

The climate chief, Marina Silva, has urged all nations to demonstrate the courage needed to address the imperative of a global fossil fuel phaseout, labeling the creation of a detailed plan as an “ethical” answer to the global warming emergency.

She emphasized, however, that participation in this process would be voluntary and “self-determined” for willing nations.

The topic remains one of the most contentious subjects at the UN climate summit in the host country, with nations split over if and in what way such a strategy can be addressed. As the host, Brazil has adopted a balanced stance on which items can be included on the formal schedule.

The official voiced approval for the possibility of a plan, though not explicitly pledging 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 force us to travel, or to climb.”

Speaking further, the minister added: “The roadmap is an answer to our scientific knowledge [of the climate emergency]. It is an moral answer.”

Scores of nations gathered in Belém for the UN climate summit, which is starting its second week, are aiming to determine how a worldwide transition of oil, gas, and coal could work. These nations aim to advance a landmark resolution made two years ago at COP28 to “transition away from non-renewable energy sources.”

That commitment had no a schedule or details on the way it could be realized, and although it was passed by all, several nations have later tried to disavow the promise. Efforts last year to elaborate on its real-world implications were blocked by resistance from petrostates at another UN summit.

Consequently, there was no mention of the transition away from carbon fuels in the final agreement of that conference.

For these reasons, the host has been wary of demands by some countries to place the phaseout on the schedule for COP30. But the minister has worked hard behind the scenes to ensure the topic could be talked about at the conference apart from the official program.

The minister convinced Brazil’s president, and he made public reference repeatedly to the need to “shift from reliance on fossil fuels” at the summit of world leaders that preceded the conference, and at the opening of the summit.

“The issue is something that we know at some point had to be raised, because it is the only way to face the issue from the root,” the minister explained. “We acknowledge that it is not easy, and we cannot sell unrealistic expectations. Raising the topic is brave, and I wish [to see] this courage from all, from producers and consumers.”

Brazil had not initiated the push for a phaseout, the minister clarified, because that had been initiated at COP28. Instead, it was enabling the talks to take place in accordance with what some countries wished. “We understand these subjects are delicate. We will give the chance to discuss it,” she added.

There is not enough time at the summit to draw up a roadmap, a task Silva said could take several years because many nations confronted complicated issues around dependence on fossil fuels, or aimed to use the revenue from exporting oil and gas to fund their economic growth.

“Brazil brings up the subject, because it is simultaneously a producer and user,” she noted. “But Brazil is unique, because it, if it wants to, does not have to depend on non-renewables. We have to recognise that there are some that depend on fossil fuels in their economic systems and lack simple alternatives, and others where oil and gas are the foundation of their economic structure.

“To be fair is to be just to all, but the fundamental, basic justice is to avoid being unjust to the planet, because it is our shared home.”

If the pledge receives enough support, COP30 could establish a platform in which the work of creating a strategy to the phaseout could begin.

This process would involve discussions with all participating countries to the UN framework convention on climate change and guidelines for how the process would proceed, Silva said. “After we have standards, a governance structure can be drawn up; once we have a strategy, and create protections to be able to build confidence in the system, I believe that with these elements we can turn positive concepts into steps that are more defined, and more concrete.”

It is uncertain that a suggestion to begin developing a plan would win approval at COP30, even if it may not need the official consent of the conference, which operates by consensus and can be hijacked by special interests. COP analysts have suggested they believe there could be backing for such a idea from about sixty nations, but there are believed to be at least forty against. A total of one hundred ninety-five countries participating at the negotiations.

“In spite of being the primary source of climate change, carbon-based energy are about the most contentious subject there is within the UN negotiations, so to see a sizable group of nations publicly backing a route to realizing worldwide transition is in itself pretty groundbreaking.”

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

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

Negotiations continued on Saturday on four unresolved topics that have not yet been included into the official agenda: commerce, transparency, funding and how to address the shortfall between the carbon reduction nations have proposed and those required to keep to the 1.5-degree warming limit.

The COP30 president promised a “note” that would address these issues, after consultations – which have been underway since the start of the week – were inconclusive. The official urged countries to adopt the “mutirão” attitude, referring to one of collaboration and constructive discussion.

Work on other substantive topics – such as adaptation to the effects of the climate emergency, the just transition for those impacted by the move to a green economic system and how to strengthen governance capabilities in less developed nations – carried on productively, the host said.

Brazil’s lead representative stated the technical phase of the summit proceedings was nearing completion, and the political phase – when government leaders who have the authority to change their nations' positions arrive – was beginning.