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Brazil’s climate chief, the minister, has urged every country to demonstrate the bravery needed to address the necessity of a worldwide fossil fuel phaseout, describing the development of a detailed plan as an “ethical” answer to the global warming emergency.

The minister stressed, though, that participation in this endeavor would be optional and “self-determined” for willing governments.

The topic remains one of the most debated matters at the COP30 in the host country, with nations split over whether and how such a strategy can be discussed. Hosting the event, Brazil has maintained a carefully neutral position on which items can be included on the formal agenda.

Silva expressed approval for the potential of a roadmap, though not explicitly pledging Brazil to it. She remarked: “When we have a terrain that is very challenging, it is helpful that we have a guide. But the guide does not force us to proceed, or to climb.”

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

Dozens of countries meeting in Belém for the UN climate summit, which is entering its second week, are seeking to determine how a worldwide phaseout of oil, gas, and coal could be implemented. These nations aim to build on a landmark resolution reached two years ago at COP28 to “transition away from fossil fuels.”

That commitment had no a schedule or details on the way it could be realized, and even though it was adopted by all, several countries have since tried to disavow the promise. Efforts last year to elaborate on its real-world implications were stymied by resistance from petrostates at another UN summit.

Consequently, there was no reference of the shift away from fossil fuels in the outcome of COP29.

Because of this, Brazil has been wary of calls by some countries to include the phaseout on the agenda for COP30. But Silva has strived in private to ensure the topic could be discussed at the conference apart from the official program.

She won over the nation's leader, who made public reference three times to the need to “move away from reliance on traditional energy” at the global leaders' meeting that preceded the conference, and at the start of the summit.

“The issue is a matter that we know at some point had to be raised, because it is the sole way to face the problem from the root,” Marina Silva said. “We recognise that it is challenging, and we must not sell unrealistic expectations. Bringing up the topic is brave, and I wish [to see] this courage from everyone, from producing nations and using countries.”

Brazil had not initiated the call for a transition, she said, because that had been done at the earlier summit. Rather, it was enabling the talks to take place in accordance with what certain countries wished. “We know these topics are delicate. We will give the opportunity to talk about it,” the minister added.

Time is insufficient at COP30 to create a roadmap, a process Silva said could take a number of years because many countries faced complicated issues around reliance on fossil fuels, or wanted to use the proceeds from exporting fossil fuels to finance their development.

“Brazil brings up the subject, because it is both a producing nation and user,” the minister noted. “But the nation is different, because it, if it wants to, need not depend on non-renewables. We have to recognise that there are certain nations that rely on fossil fuels in their economic systems and lack simple alternatives, and others where fossil fuels are the foundation of their economic structure.

“To be fair is to be fair to everyone, but the essential, basic justice is not being unfair to the Earth, because it is our home.”

If the proposal receives sufficient backing, the summit could set up a platform in which the process of drawing up a roadmap to the phaseout could begin.

The endeavor would require dialogue with all participating nations to the UN framework convention on climate change and criteria for how the initiative would unfold, the minister said. “After we have standards, a governance structure can be developed; after we have a strategy, and establish protections to be able to establish trust in the system, I am confident 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 drawing up a roadmap would win approval at the conference, even if it does not require the formal consent of the conference, which operates by unanimous agreement and can be hijacked by particular groups. COP experts have indicated they think there could be support for such a proposal from about 60 countries, but there are believed to be at least forty against. There are one hundred ninety-five countries participating at the negotiations.

“Despite being the root cause of global warming, fossil fuels are about the most contentious subject there is within the international climate talks, so to see a chunky group of nations openly supporting a path to achieving global transition is in itself highly significant.”

“Put simply, there’s no route to a planet where temperature rise remains below 1.5C in which nations aren’t able to discuss ending fossil fuel use.”

“We require this language for actual in this conversation. It’s highly illogical that we talk about everything but then when the main issue are the real challenge.”

Negotiations continued on the weekend on four outstanding issues that have still not been included into the official agenda: trade, transparency, funding and how to address the gap between the carbon reduction countries have proposed and those needed to hold to the 1.5-degree warming limit.

The summit chair promised a “note” that would address these issues, after discussions – which have been going on since the start of the week – were inconclusive. The official called on countries to adopt the “mutirão” spirit, referring to one of cooperation and constructive discussion.

Progress on additional key topics – including adaptation to the effects of the climate crisis, the just transition for those impacted by the transition to a green economic system and how to build governance capabilities in developing countries – proceeded productively, the host said.

The host nation's lead representative said the technical part of the COP proceedings was nearing completion, and the high-level stage – when government leaders who have the power to change their nations' stances join – was starting.