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Brazil’s climate chief, the minister, has urged all nations to show the courage needed to confront the necessity of a worldwide fossil fuel phaseout, labeling the development of a detailed plan as an “moral” answer to the global warming emergency.

The minister emphasized, though, that involvement in this process would be voluntary and “self-determined” for willing governments.

This issue remains one of the most debated subjects at the COP30 in Brazil, with nations divided over if and in what way such a strategy can be addressed. As the host, Brazil has adopted a balanced position on what can be included on the formal agenda.

Silva voiced approval for the potential of a plan, though not explicitly pledging the country to it. The minister stated: “In times we have a terrain that is very challenging, it is helpful that we have a map. But the map does not force us to travel, or to advance.”

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

Dozens of countries gathered in Belém for the UN climate summit, which is entering its next phase, are seeking to establish how a global transition of fossil fuels could be implemented. They hope to build on a historic agreement reached two years ago at COP28 to “transition away from fossil fuels.”

That commitment lacked a timetable or specifics on how it could be realized, and even though it was passed unanimously, some nations have since attempted to disavow the promise. Attempts last year to expand on its practical implications were blocked by resistance from petrostates at another UN summit.

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

For these reasons, Brazil has been cautious of calls by certain countries to place the phaseout on the agenda for the current summit. But Silva has worked hard in private to make sure the topic could be talked about at the conference outside the formal agenda.

The minister convinced the nation's leader, and he made mention repeatedly to the need to “shift from dependence on fossil fuels” at the global leaders' meeting that came before COP30, and at the opening of the event.

“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 root,” the minister explained. “We acknowledge that it is challenging, and we cannot sell false hopes. Raising the subject is brave, and I wish [to see] this courage from all, from producers and consumers.”

Brazil had not started the call for a phaseout, she said, because that had been done at the earlier summit. Instead, it was allowing the discussions to occur in line with what some nations wished. “We understand these topics are delicate. We will provide the opportunity to talk about it,” she said.

There is not enough time at COP30 to draw up a roadmap, a process Silva said could take several years because numerous countries confronted complicated challenges around reliance on fossil fuels, or wanted to use the revenue from exporting oil and gas to fund their economic growth.

“The country brings up the subject, because Brazil is both a producer and user,” she said. “But the nation is different, because Brazil, if it wants to, need not rely on fossil fuels. We have to understand that there are certain nations that rely on fossil fuels in their economic systems and don’t have simple solutions, and some where fossil fuels are the basis of their economy.

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

Should the pledge gains sufficient support, COP30 could set up a platform in which the work of creating a strategy to the transition could begin.

This endeavor would involve discussions with every signatory nations to the UN framework convention on climate change and guidelines for how the initiative would proceed, Silva said. “Once we have criteria, a governance structure can be drawn up; after we have a plan, and create safeguards to be able to build confidence in the system, I am confident that with these elements we can turn good ideas into actions that are clearer, and more tangible.”

There is no guarantee that a proposal to start drawing up a roadmap would win approval at the conference, even if it does not require the official approval of the summit, which proceeds by consensus and can be disrupted by special interests. Climate analysts have suggested they think there could be backing for such a proposal from about sixty countries, but there are thought to be at least forty against. There are one hundred ninety-five nations represented at the talks.

“Despite being the root cause of climate change, carbon-based energy are about the most contentious subject there is within the international climate talks, so to see a sizable group of countries openly supporting a route to achieving global transition is in itself highly significant.”

“In simple terms, there’s no path to a world where temperature rise stays below 1.5C in which countries cannot to discuss fossil fuel phaseout.”

“We need this language for real in this discussion. It’s quite stupid that we talk about everything but that when fossil fuels are the real challenge.”

Discussions continued on Saturday on several outstanding issues that have not yet been included into the official agenda: trade, openness, finance and how to address the gap between the emissions cuts countries have proposed and those needed to keep to the 1.5C warming target.

The summit president promised a “document” that would cover these matters, after consultations – which have been underway since the start of the week – were unresolved. The official called on countries to adopt the “mutirão” spirit, meaning one of collaboration and constructive dialogue.

Work on additional substantive topics – including adaptation to the effects of the climate crisis, the just transition for those affected by the move to a green economy and how to build institutional capacity in developing countries – proceeded productively, the host said.

Brazil’s lead representative said the technical phase of the COP process was nearing the end, and the high-level phase – when ministers who have the authority to alter their nations' stances join – was beginning.