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The climate chief, the minister, has urged every country to show the courage needed to address the necessity of a global fossil fuel phaseout, labeling the development of a detailed plan as an “ethical” answer to the climate crisis.

The minister emphasized, though, that participation in this endeavor would be voluntary and “independently decided” for interested nations.

The topic remains one of the most debated subjects at the COP30 in Brazil, with nations split over whether and in what way such a roadmap can be discussed. Hosting the event, Brazil has maintained a balanced stance on what can be placed on the formal schedule.

The official expressed approval for the possibility of a roadmap, though not directly pledging the country to it. She remarked: “When we have a situation 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 roadmap is an response to our scientific knowledge [of the climate crisis]. It is an moral response.”

Dozens of countries gathered in the host city for the UN climate summit, which is starting its second week, are seeking to determine how a worldwide transition of oil, gas, and coal could be implemented. They aim to build on a landmark agreement reached two years ago at COP28 to “transition away from non-renewable energy sources.”

The commitment had no a timetable or details on the way it could be realized, and although it was adopted unanimously, several nations have later tried to disavow the promise. Attempts last year to elaborate on its practical meaning were blocked by opposition from oil-dependent nations at another UN summit.

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

For these reasons, the host has been wary of calls by certain nations to place the transition on the agenda for COP30. But the minister has worked hard behind the scenes to make sure the topic could be discussed at the summit apart from the official agenda.

She convinced Brazil’s leader, and he gave public reference repeatedly to the need to “move away from reliance on fossil fuels” at the global leaders' meeting that preceded COP30, and at the opening of the event.

“This is a matter that we know at a certain time had to be put forward, because it is the only way to face the problem from the root,” the minister explained. “We recognise that it is not easy, and we cannot offer false hopes. Raising the topic is courageous, and I hope [to see] this bravery from everyone, from producing nations and consumers.”

Brazil had not started the push for a phaseout, she clarified, because that had been done at COP28. Instead, it was enabling the talks to occur in accordance with what certain countries wished. “We know these subjects are sensitive. We will give the chance to talk about it,” she said.

There is not enough time at the summit to create a roadmap, a task Silva called could take several years because numerous countries confronted complicated issues around reliance on fossil fuels, or aimed to use the proceeds from exporting oil and gas to finance their economic growth.

“The country raises the subject, because it is simultaneously a producer and consumer,” the minister said. “But the nation is different, because Brazil, if it chooses to, need not rely on non-renewables. We have to recognise that there are certain nations that depend on carbon energy in their economies and don’t have simple alternatives, and others where fossil fuels are the foundation of their economy.

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

If the pledge receives enough backing, the summit could establish a platform in which the process of creating a roadmap to the transition could start.

This endeavor would require discussions with all participating nations to the UN climate treaty and criteria for how the initiative would proceed, the minister said. “Once we have criteria, a governance structure can be drawn up; after we have a strategy, and establish protections to be able to establish confidence in the system, I am confident that with these elements we can turn positive concepts into actions that are clearer, and more tangible.”

There is no guarantee that a proposal to begin developing a plan would be accepted at COP30, even if it may not need the official approval of the summit, which proceeds by unanimous agreement and can be hijacked by special interests. COP experts have indicated they think there could be backing for such a proposal from about 60 nations, but there are believed to be at least 40 against. There are 195 countries represented at the negotiations.

“In spite of being the root cause of climate change, carbon-based energy are about the most divisive subject there is within the international climate talks, so to see a chunky coalition of nations publicly backing a route to realizing global transition is in itself highly significant.”

“In simple terms, there’s no path to a world where warming stays below 1.5 degrees in which nations aren’t able to talk about fossil fuel phaseout.”

“We need this wording for actual in this conversation. It’s highly illogical that we discuss everything but then when the main issue are the real challenge.”

Discussions continued on Saturday on several unresolved issues that have still not been incorporated into the official agenda: commerce, transparency, funding and how to address the gap between the carbon reduction nations have proposed and those required to keep to the 1.5C temperature target.

The COP30 president promised a “note” that would address these matters, after discussions – which have been underway since the start of the week – were inconclusive. He urged countries to embrace the “mutirão” spirit, meaning one of cooperation and positive dialogue.

Progress on other key issues – such as adjustment to the impacts of the climate emergency, the just transition for those affected by the move to a green economic system and how to build institutional capacity in less developed nations – proceeded constructively, the host reported.

The host nation's lead representative said the technical part of the COP proceedings was nearing the end, and the political phase – when ministers who have the power to alter their countries’ stances join – was starting.