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Brazil’s environment minister, the minister, has called on every country to demonstrate the bravery needed to confront the imperative of a global fossil fuel phaseout, labeling the development of a detailed plan as an “moral” response to the climate crisis.

The minister stressed, though, that participation in this process would be voluntary and “independently decided” for willing nations.

The topic stands as one of the most contentious subjects at the COP30 in the host country, with countries split over if and in what way such a strategy can be discussed. As the host, Brazil has adopted a balanced position on what can be included on the official schedule.

Silva voiced approval for the potential of a plan, without directly committing Brazil to it. She stated: “When we have a situation that is quite grim, it is helpful that we have a guide. But the map does not force us to travel, or to climb.”

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

Dozens of nations gathered in the host city for the global climate conference, which is entering its next phase, are seeking to determine how a global transition of fossil fuels could work. They aim to advance a landmark resolution made two years ago at COP28 to “transition away from fossil fuels.”

That commitment lacked a timetable or details on how it could be achieved, and even though it was adopted by all, some nations have since tried to back away from the pledge. Efforts last year to elaborate on its real-world implications were blocked by opposition from oil-dependent nations at COP29.

As a result, there was no reference of the transition away from carbon fuels in the final agreement of that conference.

Because of this, the host has been cautious of demands by some countries to place the phaseout on the schedule for COP30. But Silva has strived in private to ensure the topic could be discussed at the conference outside the official agenda.

She won over the nation's leader, who made mention repeatedly to the need to “move away from reliance on traditional energy” at the summit of world leaders that preceded the conference, and at the opening 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 source,” Marina Silva explained. “We recognise that it is not easy, and we cannot sell unrealistic expectations. Raising the topic is courageous, and I wish [to see] this bravery from everyone, from producers and using countries.”

Brazil had not started the call for a transition, the minister clarified, because that had been initiated at COP28. Rather, it was enabling the talks to take place in accordance with what certain nations desired. “We understand these subjects are sensitive. We will give the chance to discuss it,” the minister said.

Time is insufficient at COP30 to draw up a roadmap, a task the minister said could take a number of years because numerous nations faced complicated issues around dependence on carbon-based energy, or aimed to use the revenue from exporting fossil fuels to finance their development.

“The country brings up the topic, because it is both a producer and user,” the minister said. “But the nation is unique, because it, if it wants to, does not have to rely on fossil fuels. We have to recognise that there are some that depend on fossil fuels in their economic systems and don’t have simple solutions, and some where fossil fuels are the basis of their economic structure.

“To be just is to be fair to all, but the fundamental, basic justice is not being unjust to the planet, because it is our shared home.”

Should the proposal receives sufficient backing, COP30 could set up a forum in which the work of drawing up a roadmap to the phaseout could begin.

This endeavor would involve discussions with all participating nations to the UN climate treaty and criteria for how the process would proceed, the minister said. “After we have standards, a governance structure can be developed; after we have a plan, and establish protections to be able to build confidence in the system, I believe that with these components we can turn positive concepts into steps that are more defined, and more concrete.”

It is uncertain that a proposal to begin drawing up a roadmap would win approval at COP30, even if it may not need the official consent of the summit, which proceeds by consensus and can be hijacked by particular groups. COP experts have suggested they believe there could be backing for such a proposal from about 60 countries, but there are thought to be at least 40 opposed. There are 195 nations represented at the talks.

“In spite of being the root cause of climate change, carbon-based energy are about the most divisive subject there is within the UN negotiations, so to see a sizable group of countries openly supporting a route to achieving global transition is in itself pretty groundbreaking.”

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

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

Discussions carried on on the weekend on four outstanding topics that have not yet been incorporated into the official schedule: commerce, transparency, finance and how to tackle the gap between the emissions cuts nations have proposed and those required to hold to the 1.5C warming target.

The COP30 chair promised a “document” that would cover these matters, after discussions – which have been underway since Monday – were unresolved. He urged nations to embrace the “mutirão” attitude, meaning one of cooperation and constructive dialogue.

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

The host nation's chief negotiator stated the detailed part of the summit proceedings was nearing the end, and the high-level phase – when ministers who have the power to alter their nations' stances join – was beginning.