Brazil's Environment Minister Calls for Courage to Develop Fossil Energy Phase-out Plan at COP30

The climate chief, the minister, has called on every country to show the courage needed to confront the imperative of a global fossil fuel phaseout, labeling the development of a roadmap as an “moral” response to the climate crisis.

The minister emphasized, though, that involvement in this endeavor would be voluntary and “independently decided” for willing governments.

The topic remains one of the most contentious subjects at the COP30 in Brazil, with nations split over whether and in what way such a roadmap can be addressed. Hosting the event, the nation has adopted a carefully neutral stance on what can be included on the official schedule.

The official expressed approval for the possibility of a plan, without explicitly pledging the country to it. The minister remarked: “In times we have a situation that is very challenging, it is helpful that we have a guide. But the guide does not compel us to travel, or to advance.”

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

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

That commitment lacked a timetable or details on the way it could be achieved, and even though it was adopted by all, some nations have later attempted to disavow the promise. Attempts last year to elaborate on its practical meaning were blocked by resistance from oil-dependent nations at COP29.

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

Because of this, the host has been wary of demands by certain nations to place the transition on the agenda for COP30. But Silva has strived in private to ensure the topic could be discussed at the conference apart from the formal program.

She won over Brazil’s leader, who made public reference three times to the need to “move away from dependence on traditional energy” at the global leaders' meeting that preceded COP30, and at the opening of the summit.

“This is something that we understand at some point had to be raised, because it is the sole way to address the problem from the root,” Marina Silva explained. “We recognise that it is not easy, and we must not offer unrealistic expectations. Bringing up the subject is brave, and I wish [to see] this courage from all, from producing nations and using countries.”

The nation had not started the push for a phaseout, the minister clarified, because that had been done at the earlier summit. Instead, it was enabling the talks to take place in line with what some nations wished. “We understand these subjects are delicate. We will give the chance to discuss it,” she said.

There is not enough time at the summit to create a roadmap, a process Silva called could take a number of years because numerous countries confronted complex issues around dependence on fossil fuels, or aimed to use the proceeds from exporting fossil fuels to finance their economic growth.

“Brazil brings up the subject, because it is both a producer and consumer,” the minister noted. “But the nation is different, because it, if it wants to, does not have to depend on non-renewables. We have to understand that there are some that depend on fossil fuels in their economies and lack easy solutions, and others where oil and gas are the foundation of their economy.

“To be just is to be fair to everyone, but the essential, primordial fairness is not being unfair to the planet, because it is our shared home.”

Should the proposal gains enough support, COP30 could set up a platform in which the work of creating a roadmap to the phaseout could begin.

The process would require discussions with every participating countries to the UN framework convention on climate change and criteria for how the initiative would proceed, the minister explained. “Once we have standards, a management framework can be developed; once we have a strategy, and establish protections to be able to establish trust in the process, I believe that with these components we can transform good ideas into actions that are clearer, and more tangible.”

It is uncertain that a suggestion to start developing a roadmap would be accepted at the conference, although it may not need the formal consent of the conference, which operates by unanimous agreement and can be disrupted by special interests. Climate experts have suggested they think there could be support for such a idea from about sixty countries, but there are believed to be at least 40 against. A total of 195 nations participating at the negotiations.

“Despite being the root cause of climate change, fossil fuels are about the most contentious topic there is within the international climate talks, so to see a chunky group of countries publicly supporting a route to achieving worldwide phaseout is in itself highly significant.”

“In simple terms, there’s no route to a planet where warming stays below 1.5 degrees in which nations aren’t able to discuss fossil fuel phaseout.”

“We need this wording for real in this conversation. It’s quite stupid that we discuss all topics but then when fossil fuels are the actual challenge.”

Discussions carried on on the weekend on several unresolved topics that have not yet been incorporated into the formal agenda: trade, openness, finance and how to address the shortfall between the carbon reduction countries have proposed and those needed to hold to the 1.5-degree temperature limit.

The summit chair pledged a “document” that would cover these matters, after discussions – which have been going on since Monday – were inconclusive. The official urged nations to adopt the “mutirão” attitude, referring to one of cooperation and constructive discussion.

Progress on other substantive topics – including adaptation to the effects of the climate crisis, the just transition for those affected by the move to a low-carbon economy and how to build governance capabilities in less developed nations – proceeded constructively, the host reported.

Brazil’s chief negotiator stated the detailed phase of the COP proceedings was nearing completion, and the high-level phase – when government leaders who have the authority to alter their countries’ stances arrive – was starting.