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Brazil’s climate chief, Marina Silva, has called on all nations to show the bravery needed to confront the imperative of a global fossil fuel phaseout, labeling the creation of a detailed plan as an “ethical” answer to the climate crisis.

She stressed, however, that participation in this endeavor would be optional and “independently decided” for interested nations.

This issue stands as one of the most debated matters at the COP30 in the host country, with nations divided over whether and in what way such a roadmap can be discussed. Hosting the event, the nation has maintained a carefully neutral position on what can be included on the official schedule.

The official voiced support for the possibility of a roadmap, without explicitly committing the country 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 compel us to travel, or to climb.”

Speaking further, the minister added: “The map is an answer to our scientific understanding [of the climate emergency]. It is an moral response.”

Dozens of countries meeting in Belém for the global climate conference, which is starting its second week, are seeking to determine how a worldwide phaseout of oil, gas, and coal could be implemented. These nations aim to advance a landmark resolution reached two years ago at a previous UN summit to “move away from non-renewable energy sources.”

That commitment lacked a timetable or specifics on how it could be realized, and even though it was passed unanimously, some nations have later tried to disavow the pledge. Efforts last year to expand on its real-world implications were stymied by opposition from petrostates at COP29.

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

Because of this, the host has been cautious of calls by certain nations to include the phaseout on the agenda for COP30. But the minister has worked hard in private to make sure the pledge could be discussed at the summit outside the formal agenda.

The minister won over the nation's leader, and he made public reference repeatedly to the need to “shift from reliance on traditional energy” at the global leaders' meeting that preceded COP30, and at the opening of the event.

“This is a matter that we understand at a certain time had to be raised, because it is the only way to address the issue from the source,” Marina Silva said. “We acknowledge that it is not easy, and we must not sell false hopes. Raising the topic is courageous, and I hope [to see] this courage from all, from producing nations and using countries.”

Brazil had not started the call for a transition, she clarified, because that had been done at the earlier summit. Rather, it was allowing the discussions to occur in accordance with what some countries desired. “We know these topics are sensitive. We will provide the opportunity to discuss it,” the minister added.

Time is insufficient at COP30 to create a detailed plan, a task Silva called could take several years because many nations confronted complicated issues around dependence on fossil fuels, or aimed to use the revenue from exporting oil and gas to fund their development.

“Brazil raises the subject, because Brazil is both a producer and consumer,” the minister noted. “But Brazil is unique, because Brazil, if it wants to, does not have to rely on fossil fuels. We have to understand that there are some that depend on carbon energy in their economic systems and lack simple solutions, and others where fossil fuels are the basis of their economic structure.

“To be fair is to be fair to everyone, but the essential, primordial justice is not being unfair to the planet, because it is our shared home.”

Should the proposal gains enough backing, COP30 could set up a forum in which the process of drawing up a strategy to the phaseout could start.

This process would involve dialogue with every participating countries to the UN framework convention on climate change and guidelines for how the process would unfold, the minister explained. “After we have standards, a management framework can be developed; after we have a strategy, and create protections to be able to establish confidence in the process, I believe that with these elements we can turn good ideas into actions that are clearer, and more tangible.”

It is uncertain that a suggestion to start drawing up a plan would be accepted at the conference, even if it does not require the formal consent of the conference, which proceeds by consensus and can be disrupted by special interests. COP analysts have suggested they think there could be backing for such a proposal from about 60 nations, but there are believed to be at least 40 against. A total of 195 countries participating at the negotiations.

“In spite of being the root cause of global warming, fossil fuels are about the most contentious subject there is within the international climate talks, so to see a chunky group of countries publicly supporting a route to achieving global transition is in itself pretty groundbreaking.”

“In simple terms, there’s no route to a world where warming remains below 1.5 degrees in which nations cannot to discuss ending fossil fuel use.”

“We need this wording for actual in this conversation. It’s quite stupid that we discuss all topics but then when the main issue are the actual problem.”

Discussions carried on on Saturday on several unresolved issues that have still not been included into the official schedule: commerce, openness, funding and how to address the shortfall between the emissions cuts countries have planned and those needed to keep to the 1.5-degree temperature limit.

The summit president promised a “note” that would address these matters, after discussions – which have been going on since Monday – were inconclusive. The official called on nations to embrace the “mutirão” attitude, meaning one of collaboration and positive discussion.

Work on additional key topics – such as adaptation to the effects of the climate crisis, the just transition for those impacted by the move to a low-carbon economy and how to build institutional capacity in less developed nations – proceeded constructively, the presidency said.

Brazil’s lead representative stated the technical part of the COP proceedings was nearing the end, and the high-level stage – when government leaders who have the power to alter their countries’ positions join – was starting.