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Brazil’s climate chief, the minister, has urged every country to show the bravery needed to confront the necessity of a worldwide fossil fuel phaseout, labeling the creation of a detailed plan as an “ethical” answer to the climate crisis.

The minister emphasized, however, that involvement in this process would be voluntary and “independently decided” for willing governments.

This issue stands as one of the most contentious subjects at the COP30 in the host country, with nations split over whether and in what way such a strategy can be discussed. As the host, the nation has adopted a balanced position on what can be included on the formal agenda.

Silva expressed approval for the potential of a roadmap, without explicitly pledging Brazil to it. The minister stated: “In times we have a situation that is quite grim, it is good that we have a map. But the guide 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 emergency]. It is an ethical answer.”

Dozens of countries gathered in the host city for the UN climate summit, which is starting its next phase, are seeking to establish how a worldwide transition of fossil fuels could be implemented. These nations aim to build on a landmark resolution made two years ago at COP28 to “transition away from fossil fuels.”

That commitment lacked a schedule or details on how it could be realized, and even though it was passed unanimously, several countries have since attempted to back away from the pledge. Attempts last year to expand on its real-world implications were stymied by opposition from oil-dependent nations at COP29.

As a result, there was no mention of the transition away from fossil fuels in the final agreement of COP29.

Because of this, the host has been wary of calls by certain countries to place the phaseout on the schedule for the current summit. But Silva has worked hard behind the scenes to make sure the topic could be discussed at the conference apart from the official program.

The minister convinced Brazil’s leader, who made public reference repeatedly to the need to “move away from dependence on fossil fuels” at the summit of world leaders that preceded the conference, and at the start of the summit.

“This is something that we know at a certain time had to be raised, because it is the sole way to address the issue from the root,” Marina Silva explained. “We recognise that it is challenging, and we cannot offer unrealistic expectations. Bringing up the subject is courageous, and I wish [to see] this bravery from all, from producers and using countries.”

Brazil had not started the push for a phaseout, she clarified, because that had been initiated at COP28. Rather, it was allowing the talks to occur in line with what some nations wished. “We know these subjects are sensitive. We will give the chance to discuss it,” the minister said.

There is not enough time at the summit to create a detailed plan, a process the minister called could take a number of years because many countries confronted complex issues around reliance on fossil fuels, or aimed to use the revenue from exporting oil and gas to finance their economic growth.

“Brazil raises the subject, because it is both a producer and user,” she said. “But the nation is unique, because Brazil, if it wants to, need not depend on fossil fuels. We have to understand that there are some that depend on fossil fuels in their economies and lack simple alternatives, and some where oil and gas are the basis of their economy.

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

If the pledge receives enough backing, COP30 could set up a platform in which the work of creating a roadmap to the phaseout could begin.

This process would require discussions with every signatory countries to the UN framework convention on climate change and criteria for how the process would unfold, the minister said. “Once we have criteria, a management framework can be drawn up; once we have a plan, and create protections to be able to establish confidence in the system, I believe that with these components we can transform positive concepts into actions that are clearer, and more concrete.”

It is uncertain that a suggestion to begin developing a roadmap would win approval at the conference, although it does not require the formal consent of the conference, which operates by consensus and can be hijacked by particular groups. COP analysts have suggested they believe there could be support for such a proposal from about 60 nations, but there are believed to be at least 40 against. There are 195 nations represented at the talks.

“Despite being the root cause of global warming, carbon-based energy are about the most divisive topic there is within the international climate talks, so to see a chunky coalition of nations openly backing a route to realizing worldwide phaseout is in itself highly significant.”

“Put simply, there’s no path to a world where warming stays below 1.5 degrees in which countries cannot to talk about fossil fuel phaseout.”

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

Discussions carried on on Saturday on several unresolved issues that have not yet been incorporated into the formal agenda: commerce, openness, funding and how to tackle the gap between the carbon reduction countries have proposed and those needed to hold to the 1.5-degree temperature limit.

The COP30 chair promised a “note” that would address these matters, after consultations – which have been going on since the start of the week – were inconclusive. The official urged nations to adopt the “mutirão” spirit, meaning one of cooperation and positive discussion.

Progress on additional substantive issues – including adjustment to the effects of the climate emergency, the just transition for those affected by the move to a low-carbon economic system and how to strengthen governance capabilities in less developed nations – proceeded productively, the host reported.

The host nation's lead representative stated the detailed phase of the summit proceedings was approaching completion, and the political stage – when ministers who have the authority to change their nations' positions arrive – was beginning.