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The climate chief, the minister, has urged all nations to show the courage needed to address the necessity of a worldwide fossil fuel phaseout, labeling the development of a detailed plan as an “moral” response to the climate crisis.

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

This issue stands as one of the most debated subjects at the COP30 in the host country, with nations split over if and in what way such a strategy can be addressed. Hosting the event, the nation has adopted a carefully neutral stance on what can be included on the official schedule.

The official voiced support for the potential of a roadmap, though not explicitly pledging Brazil to it. The minister remarked: “In times we have a terrain that is very challenging, it is good that we have a guide. But the guide does not force us to proceed, or to climb.”

Speaking further, the minister noted: “The map is an answer to our scientific knowledge [of the climate crisis]. It is an ethical answer.”

Dozens of nations gathered in the host city for the global climate conference, which is entering its second week, are aiming to establish how a global transition of fossil fuels could work. These nations hope to advance a landmark agreement reached two years ago at COP28 to “transition away from non-renewable energy sources.”

The pledge had no a schedule or specifics on the way it could be realized, and even though it was passed by all, several nations have since attempted to disavow the promise. Attempts last year to elaborate on its real-world 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 fossil fuels in the final agreement of COP29.

For these reasons, Brazil has been cautious of demands by some nations to place the transition on the agenda for COP30. But Silva has strived behind the scenes to ensure the pledge could be discussed at the conference outside the official program.

The minister won over the nation's leader, and he made mention three times to the need to “shift from reliance on fossil fuels” at the global leaders' meeting that came before the conference, and at the start of the event.

“This is something that we understand at some point had to be raised, because it is the sole way to address the problem from the root,” the minister explained. “We recognise that it is not easy, and we must not sell false hopes. Raising the topic is courageous, and I hope [to see] this bravery from everyone, from producing nations and consumers.”

The nation had not started the call for a transition, she clarified, because that had been done at the earlier summit. Instead, it was allowing the talks to take place in accordance with what some countries desired. “We understand these subjects are sensitive. We will provide the chance to talk about it,” she said.

Time is insufficient at COP30 to draw up a roadmap, a task the minister called could take several years because numerous nations faced complicated challenges around reliance on fossil fuels, or aimed to use the revenue from selling oil and gas to finance their development.

“Brazil raises the topic, because Brazil is simultaneously a producing nation and user,” the minister said. “But the nation is unique, because Brazil, if it wants to, does not have to rely on non-renewables. 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 foundation of their economy.

“To be fair is to be just to everyone, but the fundamental, primordial fairness is not being unjust to the planet, because it is our shared home.”

If the pledge receives sufficient support, COP30 could establish a platform in which the process of creating a strategy to the transition could start.

This endeavor would require discussions with all participating countries to the UN climate treaty and guidelines for how the initiative would proceed, Silva said. “Once 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 process, I am confident that with these components we can turn good ideas into actions that are more defined, and more concrete.”

It is uncertain that a proposal to begin drawing up a roadmap would be accepted at the conference, although it may not need the official consent of the conference, which operates by consensus and can be hijacked by particular groups. Climate experts have suggested they believe there could be backing for such a proposal from about sixty nations, but there are thought to be at least forty against. There are 195 nations represented at the negotiations.

“In spite of being the root cause of global warming, carbon-based energy are about the most divisive subject there is within the international climate talks, so to see a chunky group of countries openly backing a path to achieving global phaseout is in itself pretty groundbreaking.”

“In simple terms, there’s no route to a world where warming remains below 1.5C in which countries cannot to talk about fossil fuel phaseout.”

“We require this language for actual in this discussion. It’s quite stupid that we discuss all topics but that when fossil fuels are the real problem.”

Discussions continued on Saturday on four outstanding topics that have not yet been included into the formal agenda: trade, transparency, finance and how to tackle the shortfall between the emissions cuts nations have proposed and those needed to hold to the 1.5C warming limit.

A summit president pledged a “document” that would address these issues, after consultations – which have been going on since the start of the week – were inconclusive. The official urged nations to adopt the “mutirão” attitude, meaning one of cooperation and positive dialogue.

Work on additional key issues – such as adjustment to the effects of the climate emergency, the fair shift for those impacted by the move to a low-carbon economic system and how to strengthen governance capabilities in less developed nations – carried on constructively, the presidency said.

Brazil’s lead representative said the technical part of the COP process was nearing the end, and the political stage – when ministers who have the authority to change their nations' positions arrive – was starting.