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Brazil’s climate chief, the minister, has urged all nations to demonstrate the courage needed to address the imperative of a global fossil fuel phaseout, labeling the creation of a roadmap as an “moral” answer to the climate crisis.

The minister stressed, though, that participation in this endeavor would be voluntary and “independently decided” for interested governments.

This issue stands as one of the most debated subjects at the UN climate summit in Brazil, with countries divided over whether and how such a strategy can be addressed. Hosting the event, Brazil has adopted a balanced position on what can be included on the formal schedule.

The official voiced support for the potential of a roadmap, though not directly pledging the country to it. She stated: “When we have a situation that is quite grim, 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 answer to our scientific understanding [of the climate crisis]. It is an moral response.”

Dozens of countries meeting in the host city for the global climate conference, which is starting its second week, are aiming to determine how a worldwide transition of oil, gas, and coal could work. These nations hope to advance a landmark agreement reached two years ago at a previous UN summit to “transition away from non-renewable energy sources.”

That pledge lacked a schedule or details on how it could be realized, and although it was passed by all, several countries have later attempted to back away from the pledge. Attempts last year to expand on its real-world implications were stymied by opposition from petrostates at another UN summit.

Consequently, there was no reference of the transition away from fossil fuels in the outcome of COP29.

Because of this, the host has been wary of demands by certain nations to place the phaseout on the agenda for the current summit. But Silva has strived behind the scenes to ensure the topic could be talked about at the conference outside the official program.

The minister won over the nation's leader, who gave mention repeatedly to the need to “move away from dependence on fossil fuels” at the global leaders' meeting that came before COP30, and at the start of the summit.

“The issue is a matter that we understand at some point had to be put forward, because it is the only way to face the issue from the source,” the minister said. “We recognise that it is challenging, and we must not sell false hopes. Raising the subject is courageous, and I wish [to see] this bravery from everyone, from producing nations and using countries.”

Brazil had not initiated the push for a transition, the minister clarified, because that had been initiated at the earlier summit. Instead, it was enabling the discussions to occur in accordance with what certain nations desired. “We understand these subjects are sensitive. We will provide the chance to talk about it,” the minister added.

There is not enough time at the summit to create a detailed plan, a task the minister called could take several years because many countries confronted complicated issues around reliance on carbon-based energy, or wanted to use the proceeds from exporting oil and gas to fund their development.

“Brazil brings up the topic, because Brazil is both a producer and consumer,” she noted. “But the nation is unique, because it, if it wants to, does not have to depend on non-renewables. We have to recognise that there are certain nations that rely on fossil fuels in their economic systems and lack simple alternatives, and some where fossil fuels are the basis of their economy.

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

If the pledge gains enough backing, COP30 could set up a platform in which the process of drawing up a strategy to the transition could start.

The endeavor would involve dialogue with every participating countries to the UN climate treaty and criteria for how the process would proceed, Silva explained. “Once we have criteria, a governance structure can be drawn up; after we have a strategy, and establish safeguards to be able to build trust in the process, I believe that with these elements we can turn positive concepts into steps that are clearer, and more tangible.”

It is uncertain that a proposal to start drawing up a plan would win approval at COP30, even if it may not need the formal approval of the summit, which operates by consensus and can be hijacked by particular groups. COP analysts have indicated they think there could be backing for such a proposal from about sixty countries, but there are believed to be at least 40 against. There are one hundred ninety-five nations participating at the negotiations.

“Despite being the primary source of climate change, carbon-based energy are about the most divisive subject there is within the UN negotiations, so to see a sizable coalition of countries publicly supporting a path to achieving worldwide phaseout is in itself highly significant.”

“Put simply, there’s no route to a planet where temperature rise stays below 1.5C in which nations aren’t able to talk about fossil fuel phaseout.”

“We require this wording for actual in this discussion. It’s highly illogical that we talk about everything but then when the main issue are the actual problem.”

Discussions carried on on the weekend on several outstanding topics that have still not been included into the formal agenda: trade, transparency, funding and how to address the gap between the emissions cuts nations have planned and those needed to keep to the 1.5C warming limit.

A COP30 president promised a “note” that would address these issues, after consultations – which have been underway since the start of the week – were inconclusive. The official urged nations to adopt the “mutirão” spirit, meaning one of collaboration and positive dialogue.

Work on other substantive issues – such as adaptation to the effects of the climate emergency, the fair shift for those impacted by the move to a low-carbon economy and how to strengthen institutional capacity in developing countries – carried on constructively, the presidency said.

The host nation's chief negotiator said the technical phase of the summit proceedings was nearing the end, and the political stage – when government leaders who have the power to change their countries’ stances arrive – was starting.