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The climate chief, the minister, has called on every country to demonstrate the bravery needed to address the necessity of a worldwide fossil fuel phaseout, describing the creation of a detailed plan as an “ethical” response to the climate crisis.

She stressed, though, that participation in this endeavor would be voluntary and “self-determined” for willing governments.

The topic stands as one of the most contentious matters at the UN climate summit in Brazil, with nations divided over if and how such a roadmap can be discussed. Hosting the event, the nation has maintained a balanced stance on which items can be placed on the official agenda.

The official voiced support for the possibility of a roadmap, though not directly committing Brazil to it. She stated: “When we have a terrain that is very challenging, it is good that we have a map. But the guide does not compel us to travel, or to advance.”

In an interview, the minister noted: “The map is an response to our scientific understanding [of the climate crisis]. It is an ethical answer.”

Dozens of nations meeting in the host city for the global climate conference, which is starting its next phase, are seeking to establish how a worldwide phaseout of oil, gas, and coal could be implemented. These nations hope to advance a landmark agreement made two years ago at a previous UN summit to “transition away from non-renewable energy sources.”

The pledge had no a schedule or specifics on the way it could be achieved, and although it was passed by all, several nations have since attempted to disavow the pledge. Efforts last year to expand on its real-world implications were blocked by resistance from petrostates at another UN summit.

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

Because of this, Brazil has been cautious of demands by certain countries to place the phaseout on the agenda for COP30. But the minister has strived in private to make sure the topic could be talked about at the conference apart from the formal agenda.

The minister convinced Brazil’s leader, who gave public reference repeatedly to the need to “move away from reliance on traditional energy” at the global leaders' meeting that came before COP30, and at the start of the summit.

“This is a matter that we know at a certain time had to be put forward, because it is the sole way to face the problem from the source,” the minister said. “We acknowledge that it is not easy, and we must not offer unrealistic expectations. Raising the topic is brave, and I hope [to see] this bravery from all, from producers and consumers.”

The nation had not started the push for a transition, the minister said, because that had been done at COP28. Instead, it was enabling the talks to occur in line with what some nations wished. “We understand these subjects are delicate. We will give the opportunity to discuss it,” the minister added.

There is not enough time at the summit to create a roadmap, a task the minister called could take a number of years because numerous countries faced complex issues around dependence on fossil fuels, or wanted to use the proceeds from selling fossil fuels to finance their development.

“The country brings up the topic, because it is both a producing nation and user,” the minister said. “But the nation is unique, because it, if it chooses to, need not depend on non-renewables. We have to understand that there are certain nations that rely on carbon energy in their economic systems and don’t have simple alternatives, and others where fossil fuels are the basis of their economic structure.

“To be just is to be just to everyone, but the essential, primordial justice is to avoid being unjust to the Earth, because it is our home.”

Should the pledge receives sufficient support, COP30 could establish a forum in which the work of drawing up a strategy to the phaseout could start.

This endeavor would involve dialogue with every participating nations to the UN framework convention on climate change and guidelines for how the process would unfold, Silva explained. “Once we have standards, a governance structure can be drawn up; once we have a strategy, and establish safeguards to be able to establish confidence in the system, I believe that with these components we can transform positive concepts into steps that are clearer, and more concrete.”

There is no guarantee that a proposal to begin drawing up a roadmap would be accepted at COP30, even if it may not need the official consent of the summit, which proceeds by unanimous agreement and can be hijacked by particular groups. COP experts have indicated they think there could be support for such a proposal from about 60 countries, but there are thought to be at least 40 against. There are 195 nations participating at the negotiations.

“Despite being the primary source of climate change, carbon-based energy are about the most contentious topic there is within the UN negotiations, so to see a chunky coalition of nations publicly backing a path to realizing global transition is in itself pretty groundbreaking.”

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

“We require this language for real in this discussion. It’s highly illogical that we discuss all topics but that when the main issue are the real challenge.”

Discussions carried on on the weekend on four outstanding issues that have still not been incorporated into the formal schedule: commerce, transparency, funding and how to tackle the shortfall between the emissions cuts countries have planned and those required to hold to the 1.5C warming limit.

A COP30 president pledged a “note” that would cover these matters, after consultations – which have been going on since Monday – were unresolved. He called on countries to embrace the “mutirão” attitude, meaning one of cooperation and positive dialogue.

Work on additional key issues – including 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 institutional capacity in developing countries – proceeded productively, the host said.

Brazil’s lead representative said the detailed phase of the COP process was approaching completion, and the high-level stage – when government leaders who have the power to alter their nations' stances join – was starting.