The climate chief, Marina Silva, has urged all nations to demonstrate the courage needed to confront the imperative of a worldwide transition away from fossil fuels, labeling the development of a detailed plan as an “moral” answer to the climate crisis.
She stressed, though, that participation in this process would be optional and “self-determined” for willing nations.
The topic stands as one of the most contentious matters at the UN climate summit in Brazil, with nations split over whether and in what way such a strategy can be addressed. Hosting the event, the nation has maintained a carefully neutral position on what can be included on the official schedule.
The official expressed support for the possibility of a plan, without directly committing the country to it. She remarked: “In times we have a terrain that is quite grim, it is helpful that we have a map. But the guide does not force us to travel, or to climb.”
In an interview, the minister added: “The map is an answer to our scientific knowledge [of the climate emergency]. It is an ethical response.”
Dozens of nations gathered in the host city for the UN climate summit, which is entering its next phase, are seeking to establish how a global phaseout of fossil fuels could work. They aim to build on a historic agreement made two years ago at a previous UN summit to “move away from non-renewable energy sources.”
The pledge lacked a schedule or details on how it could be realized, and although it was passed unanimously, some countries have later attempted to disavow the promise. Efforts last year to expand on its practical meaning were blocked by opposition from oil-dependent nations at another UN summit.
As a result, there was no reference of the transition away from carbon fuels in the outcome of COP29.
Because of this, Brazil has been wary of calls by certain countries to include the transition on the schedule for the current summit. But the minister has worked hard in private to make sure the topic could be talked about at the summit outside the official program.
She won over Brazil’s president, who made mention three times to the need to “move away from reliance on fossil fuels” at the global leaders' meeting that preceded the conference, and at the opening of the event.
“This is a matter that we know at a certain time had to be raised, because it is the only way to face the issue from the source,” Marina Silva said. “We acknowledge that it is not easy, and we must not offer false hopes. Raising the topic is courageous, and I hope [to see] this courage from all, from producers and using countries.”
The nation had not started the push for a phaseout, she clarified, because that had been initiated at the earlier summit. Instead, it was allowing the talks to occur in accordance with what certain nations desired. “We know these subjects are delicate. We will provide the opportunity to talk about it,” she said.
There is not enough time at COP30 to create a detailed plan, a task Silva said could take several years because many countries faced complicated issues around dependence on carbon-based energy, or wanted to use the proceeds from exporting oil and gas to finance their development.
“The country raises the subject, because Brazil is both a producer and user,” the minister said. “But the nation is different, because it, if it chooses to, does not have to depend on fossil fuels. We have to understand that there are certain nations that depend on fossil fuels in their economies and don’t have simple alternatives, and others where fossil fuels are the foundation of their economic structure.
“To be fair is to be just to all, but the essential, basic justice is to avoid being unjust to the planet, because it is our home.”
Should the pledge gains enough support, the summit could establish a forum in which the process of creating a roadmap to the phaseout could begin.
This process would require discussions with every participating countries to the UN climate treaty and criteria for how the process would unfold, Silva explained. “After we have criteria, a governance structure can be developed; after we have a strategy, and establish safeguards to be able to establish trust in the process, I believe that with these elements we can turn good ideas into actions that are clearer, and more concrete.”
It is uncertain that a proposal to start drawing up a roadmap would be accepted at the conference, even if it does not require the official approval of the summit, which proceeds by unanimous agreement and can be hijacked by particular groups. COP analysts have suggested they think there could be backing for such a idea from about sixty countries, but there are believed to be at least forty against. There are 195 nations participating at the negotiations.
“Despite being the primary source of global warming, fossil fuels are about the most contentious topic there is within the international climate talks, so to see a sizable group of nations publicly backing a route to realizing global transition is in itself pretty groundbreaking.”
“In simple terms, there’s no path to a world where temperature rise remains below 1.5 degrees in which countries aren’t able to discuss ending fossil fuel use.”
“We require this wording for actual in this discussion. It’s quite stupid that we discuss everything but that when fossil fuels are the actual problem.”
Discussions carried on on Saturday on several unresolved topics that have still not been incorporated into the formal schedule: trade, transparency, funding and how to tackle the gap between the emissions cuts countries have proposed and those needed to hold to the 1.5-degree temperature target.
The COP30 president pledged a “document” that would address these matters, after discussions – which have been underway since the start of the week – were inconclusive. The official urged countries to adopt the “mutirão” spirit, referring to one of cooperation and positive discussion.
Progress on additional substantive topics – including adaptation to the effects of the climate crisis, the fair shift for those affected by the move to a low-carbon economic system and how to strengthen governance capabilities in less developed nations – carried on productively, the presidency said.
Brazil’s chief negotiator said the detailed phase of the summit process was nearing completion, and the high-level stage – when ministers who have the authority to change their nations' positions arrive – was starting.
A passionate writer and traveler sharing insights on personal growth and lifestyle from a UK perspective.
