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The environment minister, the minister, has called on every country to demonstrate the bravery needed to address the imperative of a worldwide fossil fuel phaseout, describing the creation of a detailed plan as an “ethical” answer to the global warming emergency.

She emphasized, however, that participation in this endeavor 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 split over whether and in what way such a strategy can be addressed. Hosting the event, Brazil has adopted a balanced stance on which items can be included on the official agenda.

Silva expressed support for the possibility of a roadmap, without directly committing Brazil to it. She remarked: “When we have a terrain that is quite grim, it is helpful that we have a guide. But the guide does not compel us to travel, or to climb.”

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 meeting in Belém for the UN climate summit, which is starting its second week, are aiming to establish how a worldwide transition of oil, gas, and coal could work. They aim to build on a historic resolution reached two years ago at a previous UN summit to “transition away from non-renewable energy sources.”

The 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. Attempts last year to elaborate on its practical meaning were stymied by opposition from petrostates at COP29.

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

For these reasons, Brazil has been wary of calls by certain countries to place the phaseout on the agenda for COP30. But Silva has worked hard in private to make sure the pledge could be discussed at the conference outside the official program.

The minister won over Brazil’s president, and he gave mention repeatedly to the need to “shift from dependence on fossil fuels” at the summit of world leaders that came before COP30, and at the opening of the event.

“This is a matter that we understand at some point had to be put forward, because it is the sole way to address the problem from the root,” the minister said. “We recognise that it is challenging, and we must not sell unrealistic expectations. Raising the subject is courageous, and I wish [to see] this bravery from everyone, from producing nations and using countries.”

Brazil had not started the push for a phaseout, she said, because that had been done at COP28. Instead, it was allowing the discussions to take place in line with what some nations desired. “We know these subjects are sensitive. We will provide the opportunity to discuss it,” she said.

There is not enough time at COP30 to draw up a detailed plan, a task the minister said could take several years because many countries confronted complicated issues around dependence on fossil fuels, or aimed to use the revenue from selling oil and gas to fund their economic growth.

“The country raises the topic, because Brazil is both a producer and consumer,” she noted. “But the nation is different, because Brazil, if it wants to, does not have to rely on non-renewables. We have to understand that there are certain nations that rely on fossil fuels in their economies and lack simple alternatives, and others where fossil fuels are the basis of their economic structure.

“To be fair is to be just to all, but the essential, primordial fairness is not being unjust to the Earth, because it is our home.”

If the pledge receives enough backing, COP30 could set up a forum in which the process of drawing up a strategy to the transition could begin.

The process would require dialogue with every signatory countries to the UN climate treaty and guidelines for how the process would unfold, Silva said. “Once we have standards, a management framework 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 elements we can transform positive concepts into actions that are clearer, and more tangible.”

There is no guarantee that a suggestion to begin developing a plan would be accepted at COP30, even if it does not require the formal consent of the summit, which proceeds by consensus and can be hijacked by particular groups. Climate analysts have indicated they think there could be support for such a proposal from about 60 nations, but there are thought to be at least 40 against. A total of one hundred ninety-five nations represented at the negotiations.

“In spite of being the primary source of climate change, fossil fuels are about the most contentious subject there is within the UN negotiations, so to see a chunky coalition of nations publicly supporting a path to achieving global phaseout is in itself highly significant.”

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

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

Discussions carried on on Saturday on four outstanding topics that have not yet been incorporated into the formal agenda: trade, openness, funding and how to tackle the gap between the emissions cuts nations have planned and those needed to hold to the 1.5C temperature limit.

The COP30 chair pledged a “document” that would address these matters, after consultations – which have been underway since Monday – were unresolved. The official urged nations to embrace the “mutirão” attitude, referring to one of cooperation and positive discussion.

Work on additional key issues – such as adaptation to the effects of the climate emergency, the fair shift for those impacted by the transition to a green economy and how to strengthen governance capabilities in less developed nations – proceeded constructively, the host reported.

Brazil’s lead representative said the technical part of the COP proceedings was nearing the end, and the political stage – when ministers who have the power to change their nations' stances join – was beginning.