Brazil's Environment Minister Urges Courage to Establish Fossil Energy Phaseout Roadmap at COP30

The environment minister, the minister, has called on every country to show the courage needed to address the necessity of a global fossil fuel phaseout, describing the development of a roadmap as an “ethical” response to the climate crisis.

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

The topic stands as one of the most debated matters at the COP30 in Brazil, with countries divided over if and in what way such a strategy can be discussed. As the host, Brazil has maintained a carefully neutral position on what can be included on the official schedule.

Silva voiced approval for the potential of a roadmap, without 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 proceed, or to advance.”

In an interview, the minister noted: “The map is an answer to our scientific knowledge [of the climate emergency]. It is an moral answer.”

Dozens of nations gathered in the host city for the UN climate summit, which is starting its next phase, are seeking to determine how a global phaseout of oil, gas, and coal could work. These nations aim to build on a historic resolution made two years ago at COP28 to “move away from fossil fuels.”

That pledge had no a timetable or details on the way it could be achieved, and although it was adopted by all, some nations have since attempted to disavow the pledge. Attempts last year to expand on its practical meaning were stymied by opposition from petrostates at COP29.

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

For these reasons, Brazil has been cautious of demands by some countries to include the phaseout on the schedule for COP30. But the minister has worked hard behind the scenes to make sure the pledge could be discussed at the conference outside the official program.

She won over Brazil’s leader, who made mention repeatedly to the need to “shift from dependence on traditional energy” at the global leaders' meeting that came before COP30, and at the start of the summit.

“The issue is a matter that we understand at a certain time had to be raised, because it is the sole way to face the issue from the source,” Marina Silva said. “We recognise that it is not easy, and we cannot sell unrealistic expectations. Bringing up the topic is brave, and I wish [to see] this bravery from everyone, from producing nations and using countries.”

Brazil had not initiated the call for a transition, the minister said, because that had been initiated at the earlier summit. Instead, it was allowing the talks to occur in accordance with what some countries desired. “We understand these topics are sensitive. We will provide the opportunity to talk about it,” the minister said.

Time is insufficient at COP30 to create a roadmap, a task Silva said could take a number of years because numerous nations faced complicated challenges around dependence on fossil fuels, or aimed to use the proceeds from selling fossil fuels to finance their economic growth.

“The country raises the topic, because Brazil is simultaneously a producing nation and consumer,” she said. “But Brazil is unique, because Brazil, if it wants to, need not rely on fossil fuels. We have to understand that there are some that rely on fossil fuels in their economies and don’t have simple alternatives, and some where oil and gas are the basis of their economy.

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

Should the proposal receives enough support, COP30 could set up a platform in which the process of creating a strategy to the transition could start.

The process would require discussions with all signatory nations to the UN climate treaty and criteria for how the initiative would unfold, the minister said. “Once we have criteria, a management framework can be developed; after we have a plan, and create protections to be able to establish trust in the system, I am confident that with these elements we can turn good ideas into steps that are more defined, and more tangible.”

It is uncertain that a suggestion to begin drawing up a roadmap would be accepted at COP30, even if it does not require the formal approval of the conference, which operates by consensus and can be disrupted by particular groups. COP analysts have indicated 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 talks.

“Despite being the primary source of global warming, fossil fuels are about the most divisive subject there is within the international climate talks, so to see a chunky group of nations publicly supporting a route to realizing global phaseout is in itself pretty groundbreaking.”

“Put simply, there’s no route to a world where temperature rise remains below 1.5 degrees in which countries aren’t able to talk about ending fossil fuel use.”

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

Negotiations continued on the weekend on several unresolved issues that have still not been included into the formal schedule: trade, transparency, funding and how to address the gap between the carbon reduction countries have proposed and those required to keep to the 1.5C temperature target.

The summit chair promised a “document” that would address these issues, after consultations – which have been underway since the start of the week – were inconclusive. The official called on countries to embrace the “mutirão” attitude, referring to one of cooperation and positive dialogue.

Work on other key topics – including adjustment to the effects of the climate crisis, the fair shift for those impacted by the transition to a green economic system and how to build governance capabilities in developing countries – proceeded constructively, the presidency reported.

Brazil’s chief negotiator said the detailed part of the COP process was nearing completion, and the high-level stage – when ministers who have the power to alter their countries’ stances join – was starting.