The climate chief, the minister, has called on all nations to show the bravery needed to confront the imperative of a global transition away from fossil fuels, describing the development of a roadmap as an “moral” response to the climate crisis.
She emphasized, however, that participation in this endeavor would be optional and “independently decided” for interested nations.
The topic stands as one of the most debated subjects at the UN climate summit in Brazil, with countries split over if and how such a strategy can be discussed. Hosting the event, the nation has maintained a carefully neutral stance on which items can be placed on the official schedule.
Silva voiced support for the possibility of a plan, though not directly pledging Brazil to it. The minister remarked: “In times we have a situation that is quite grim, it is helpful that we have a guide. But the guide does not compel us to travel, or to climb.”
Speaking further, the minister noted: “The roadmap is an response to our scientific understanding [of the climate emergency]. It is an moral response.”
Dozens of countries meeting in the host city for the UN climate summit, which is starting its second week, are seeking to determine how a worldwide phaseout of oil, gas, and coal could work. They hope to build on a landmark agreement made two years ago at a previous UN summit to “move away from non-renewable energy sources.”
That commitment lacked a timetable or specifics on the way it could be realized, and even though it was passed unanimously, several nations have since tried to back away from the promise. Efforts last year to expand on its practical meaning were blocked by opposition from petrostates at COP29.
As a result, there was no mention of the transition away from fossil fuels in the outcome of COP29.
Because of this, the host has been wary of calls by some nations to place the transition on the schedule for COP30. But Silva has worked hard in private to make sure the pledge could be discussed at the conference apart from the formal agenda.
She convinced Brazil’s president, and he gave public reference repeatedly to the need to “shift from dependence on fossil fuels” at the global leaders' meeting that preceded the conference, and at the start of the summit.
“The issue is something that we understand at a certain time had to be raised, because it is the only way to address the problem from the root,” the minister explained. “We recognise that it is challenging, and we must not offer false hopes. Bringing up the topic is brave, and I hope [to see] this bravery from everyone, from producing nations and consumers.”
Brazil had not started the push for a transition, the minister said, because that had been done at COP28. Instead, it was allowing the talks to occur in line with what some countries wished. “We know these subjects are sensitive. We will provide the chance to discuss it,” she added.
There is not enough time at COP30 to create a detailed plan, a process Silva called could take a number of years because many countries confronted complex issues around dependence on carbon-based energy, or wanted to use the proceeds from exporting oil and gas to finance their economic growth.
“The country brings up the topic, because it is simultaneously a producer and consumer,” she noted. “But Brazil is unique, because Brazil, if it chooses to, need not depend on fossil fuels. We have to recognise that there are certain nations that depend on carbon energy in their economic systems and don’t have easy alternatives, and some where fossil fuels are the basis of their economic structure.
“To be fair is to be just to everyone, but the fundamental, basic justice is to avoid being unjust to the Earth, because it is our shared home.”
If the pledge receives enough support, COP30 could set up a forum in which the work of drawing up a strategy to the transition could begin.
The endeavor would involve dialogue with every participating countries to the UN climate treaty and criteria for how the process would proceed, the minister said. “Once we have standards, a governance structure can be developed; after we have a plan, and establish protections to be able to establish confidence in the system, I believe that with these components we can transform good ideas into steps that are clearer, and more concrete.”
It is uncertain that a proposal to begin drawing up a plan would win approval at the conference, even if it may not need the official consent of the summit, which operates by consensus and can be disrupted by special interests. Climate experts have suggested they think there could be backing for such a proposal from about sixty nations, but there are believed to be at least 40 against. There are one hundred ninety-five nations represented at the negotiations.
“Despite being the primary source of global warming, carbon-based energy are about the most contentious subject there is within the UN negotiations, so to see a sizable group of countries openly supporting a route to realizing global transition is in itself pretty groundbreaking.”
“In simple terms, there’s no path to a planet where warming remains below 1.5 degrees in which nations aren’t able to talk about ending fossil fuel use.”
“We require this language for real in this discussion. It’s quite stupid that we discuss everything but that when the main issue are the real problem.”
Negotiations continued on Saturday on four unresolved topics that have not yet been incorporated into the formal agenda: trade, openness, funding and how to address the gap between the carbon reduction countries have proposed and those required to hold to the 1.5-degree temperature limit.
The COP30 president promised a “document” that would address these issues, after discussions – which have been underway since the start of the week – were unresolved. He urged countries to embrace the “mutirão” attitude, referring to one of collaboration and constructive discussion.
Work on additional substantive topics – including adaptation to the impacts of the climate emergency, the just transition for those affected by the transition to a green economic system and how to build governance capabilities in less developed nations – proceeded constructively, the presidency said.
The host nation's lead representative stated the detailed phase of the COP process was approaching completion, and the political phase – when ministers who have the power to change their nations' positions arrive – was beginning.
