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The climate chief, the minister, has called on all nations to demonstrate the courage needed to address the necessity of a global transition away from fossil fuels, describing the development of a detailed plan as an “moral” response to the climate crisis.

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

The topic remains one of the most debated subjects at the UN climate summit in Brazil, with countries divided over if and in what way such a strategy can be addressed. Hosting the event, Brazil has maintained a balanced stance on which items can be placed on the formal schedule.

Silva voiced approval for the potential of a roadmap, without directly committing Brazil to it. She stated: “When we have a terrain that is very challenging, it is good that we have a guide. But the map does not compel us to travel, or to climb.”

Speaking further, she noted: “The roadmap is an answer to our scientific understanding [of the climate crisis]. It is an moral answer.”

Dozens of countries meeting in Belém for the global climate conference, which is entering its next phase, are aiming to determine how a worldwide phaseout of oil, gas, and coal could be implemented. These nations hope to advance a landmark agreement reached two years ago at COP28 to “transition away from fossil fuels.”

That pledge had no a schedule or specifics on how it could be achieved, and even though it was passed unanimously, several countries have since tried to disavow the pledge. Attempts last year to elaborate on its practical meaning were stymied by opposition from oil-dependent nations at another UN summit.

Consequently, there was no mention of the shift away from carbon fuels in the outcome of COP29.

For these reasons, the host has been wary of demands by certain countries to include the phaseout on the schedule for COP30. But Silva has strived behind the scenes to make sure the pledge could be talked about at the conference apart from the formal program.

The minister convinced the nation's leader, who gave public reference three times to the need to “move away from reliance on fossil fuels” at the global leaders' meeting that preceded COP30, and at the start of the summit.

“The issue is a matter that we know at some point had to be put forward, because it is the sole way to face the issue from the source,” the minister said. “We acknowledge that it is not easy, and we must not sell false hopes. Bringing up the subject is brave, and I wish [to see] this bravery from everyone, from producers and consumers.”

Brazil had not initiated the call for a phaseout, the minister clarified, because that had been done at COP28. Rather, it was allowing the talks to take place in line with what some countries wished. “We know these subjects are sensitive. We will give the chance to talk about it,” she added.

Time is insufficient at the summit to draw up a detailed plan, a task Silva called could take several years because many nations faced complex challenges around reliance on fossil fuels, or wanted to use the proceeds from selling fossil fuels to fund their development.

“Brazil brings up the subject, because it is both a producer and consumer,” she said. “But the nation is unique, because it, if it chooses to, does not have to depend on fossil fuels. We have to understand that there are certain nations that rely on carbon energy in their economic systems and don’t have simple solutions, and some where oil and gas are the basis of their economy.

“To be fair is to be just to everyone, but the essential, basic fairness is to avoid being unfair to the planet, because it is our home.”

Should the proposal receives sufficient backing, COP30 could establish a forum in which the process of drawing up a roadmap to the transition could begin.

This endeavor would involve discussions with every signatory nations to the UN climate treaty and criteria for how the process would proceed, the minister said. “Once we have criteria, a governance structure can be drawn up; once we have a plan, and establish safeguards to be able to build trust in the system, I believe that with these components we can turn good ideas into steps that are more defined, and more tangible.”

There is no guarantee that a proposal to begin drawing up a roadmap would win approval at COP30, although it may not need the formal approval of the summit, which operates by unanimous agreement and can be disrupted by particular groups. COP analysts have suggested they believe there could be backing for such a proposal from about sixty countries, but there are thought to be at least forty opposed. There are one hundred ninety-five nations represented at the negotiations.

“In spite of being the root cause of global warming, carbon-based energy are about the most contentious topic there is within the UN negotiations, so to see a chunky group of nations publicly backing a route to achieving global phaseout is in itself pretty groundbreaking.”

“In simple terms, there’s no path to a planet where temperature rise remains below 1.5C in which nations aren’t able to discuss fossil fuel phaseout.”

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

Discussions carried on on the weekend on several unresolved topics that have still not been included into the formal schedule: trade, transparency, funding and how to tackle the gap between the carbon reduction countries have proposed and those required to hold to the 1.5C temperature target.

The summit president promised a “note” that would cover these issues, after discussions – which have been underway since the start of the week – were unresolved. The official urged nations to adopt the “mutirão” attitude, referring to one of cooperation and constructive dialogue.

Progress on additional substantive issues – such as adjustment to the effects of the climate crisis, the just transition for those impacted by the move to a low-carbon economic system and how to strengthen institutional capacity in less developed nations – carried on constructively, the presidency said.

Brazil’s chief negotiator said the technical part of the summit proceedings was approaching the end, and the political phase – when government leaders who have the power to change their nations' stances join – was beginning.