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Brazil’s climate chief, the minister, has called on all nations to demonstrate the bravery needed to confront the imperative of a global transition away from fossil fuels, labeling the creation of a detailed plan as an “ethical” answer to the climate crisis.

She emphasized, however, that participation in this endeavor would be optional and “independently decided” for willing governments.

The topic remains one of the most debated subjects at the COP30 in the host country, with countries divided over if and how such a strategy can be discussed. As the host, the nation has adopted a balanced stance on what can be placed on the formal schedule.

Silva expressed approval for the potential of a plan, without directly committing Brazil to it. She stated: “When we have a situation that is very challenging, it is helpful that we have a guide. But the map does not force us to proceed, or to advance.”

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

Dozens of countries meeting in Belém for the UN climate summit, which is entering its second week, are aiming to establish how a global phaseout of oil, gas, and coal could be implemented. These nations hope to build on a landmark resolution reached two years ago at a previous UN summit to “transition away from fossil fuels.”

The pledge lacked a timetable or details on the way it could be realized, and although it was adopted unanimously, some countries have later attempted to disavow the promise. Efforts last year to elaborate on its practical meaning were stymied by opposition from petrostates at another UN summit.

Consequently, there was no reference 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 include the phaseout on the schedule for COP30. But the minister has worked hard in private to ensure the topic could be discussed at the conference apart from the official agenda.

The minister convinced Brazil’s president, who gave public reference repeatedly to the need to “shift from reliance on fossil fuels” at the summit of world leaders that came before COP30, and at the opening of the event.

“The issue is a matter that we understand at a certain time had to be raised, because it is the only way to face the issue from the root,” the minister said. “We acknowledge that it is challenging, and we cannot offer unrealistic expectations. Bringing up the topic is brave, and I wish [to see] this courage from everyone, from producers and consumers.”

The nation had not started the call for a phaseout, she said, because that had been initiated at the earlier summit. Instead, it was enabling the discussions to occur in line with what certain countries desired. “We know these topics are sensitive. We will give the opportunity to talk about it,” the minister said.

There is not enough time at COP30 to create a detailed plan, a task Silva said could take a number of years because numerous countries confronted complicated issues around reliance on carbon-based energy, or wanted to use the proceeds from selling oil and gas to finance their development.

“The country raises the subject, because it is simultaneously a producing nation and consumer,” she said. “But the nation is unique, because it, if it wants to, need not depend on non-renewables. We have to recognise that there are certain nations that rely on fossil fuels in their economies and don’t have simple alternatives, and others where fossil fuels are the basis of their economy.

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

If the pledge gains enough backing, the summit could establish a forum in which the work of creating a roadmap to the phaseout could begin.

The process would involve discussions with all participating countries to the UN framework convention on climate change and criteria for how the initiative would unfold, Silva explained. “After we have criteria, a management framework can be developed; after we have a strategy, and create safeguards to be able to establish confidence in the process, I believe that with these components we can transform good ideas into steps that are clearer, and more tangible.”

There is no guarantee that a proposal to start developing a plan would be accepted at the conference, even if it does not require the formal consent of the summit, which operates by unanimous agreement and can be hijacked by special interests. Climate experts have suggested they believe there could be support for such a idea from about 60 nations, but there are thought to be at least forty against. A total of 195 nations represented at the talks.

“Despite being the root cause of climate change, fossil fuels are about the most contentious subject there is within the UN negotiations, so to see a chunky group of nations openly supporting a path to achieving global transition is in itself highly significant.”

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

“We require this language for real in this conversation. It’s quite stupid that we talk about all topics but then when the main issue are the actual problem.”

Negotiations carried on on Saturday on four outstanding topics that have still not been incorporated into the official schedule: commerce, openness, funding and how to address the gap between the carbon reduction nations have proposed and those required to keep to the 1.5C temperature limit.

The COP30 president pledged a “note” that would address these matters, after discussions – which have been going on since Monday – were unresolved. He called on countries to adopt the “mutirão” spirit, referring to one of cooperation and constructive dialogue.

Work on additional substantive topics – including adaptation to the effects of the climate crisis, the fair shift for those impacted by the move to a low-carbon economy and how to build governance capabilities in developing countries – carried on constructively, the presidency reported.

Brazil’s chief negotiator said the technical part of the summit process was approaching completion, and the high-level stage – when ministers who have the authority to change their countries’ stances join – was beginning.