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

She emphasized, though, that involvement in this endeavor would be voluntary and “independently decided” for willing governments.

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 roadmap can be discussed. As the host, the nation has maintained a balanced position on what can be placed on the official schedule.

The official expressed approval for the possibility of a plan, without directly committing Brazil to it. She stated: “In times we have a situation that is quite grim, it is helpful that we have a guide. But the map does not compel us to proceed, or to advance.”

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

Dozens of countries meeting in the host city for the UN climate summit, which is entering its second week, are seeking to determine how a global phaseout of oil, gas, and coal could be implemented. They aim to build on a historic resolution reached two years ago at a previous UN summit to “transition away from non-renewable energy sources.”

The commitment had no a schedule or specifics on how it could be achieved, and although it was adopted by all, several countries have later attempted to back away from the pledge. Attempts last year to elaborate on its practical implications were stymied by resistance from oil-dependent nations at another UN summit.

Consequently, there was no mention of the transition away from fossil fuels in the outcome of that conference.

For these reasons, Brazil has been wary of calls by certain nations to include the transition on the schedule for COP30. But Silva has strived in private to ensure the topic could be talked about at the conference apart from the formal program.

The minister convinced the nation's leader, and he gave public reference three times 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 event.

“This is a matter that we understand at a certain time had to be put forward, because it is the only way to face the problem from the source,” Marina Silva said. “We acknowledge that it is not easy, and we cannot sell false hopes. Bringing up the subject is courageous, and I hope [to see] this bravery from all, from producers and using countries.”

Brazil had not initiated the push for a transition, the minister clarified, because that had been initiated at COP28. Rather, it was enabling the talks to take place in line with what certain countries wished. “We know these topics are sensitive. We will give the opportunity to discuss it,” the minister said.

There is not enough time at COP30 to create a roadmap, a process the minister called could take several years because numerous nations confronted complex challenges around dependence on fossil fuels, or aimed to use the proceeds from exporting fossil fuels to finance their economic growth.

“Brazil raises the subject, because it is simultaneously a producer and user,” the minister said. “But Brazil is unique, because it, if it wants to, need not depend on non-renewables. We have to understand that there are some that rely on carbon energy in their economies and lack easy solutions, and some where fossil fuels are the basis of their economy.

“To be just is to be fair to all, but the fundamental, primordial justice is to avoid being unfair to the Earth, because it is our shared home.”

Should the proposal receives enough support, the summit could set up a platform in which the work of creating a strategy to the transition could begin.

The process would involve dialogue with all participating nations to the UN climate treaty and criteria for how the process would unfold, the minister said. “Once we have criteria, a governance structure can be developed; after we have a plan, and create safeguards to be able to establish trust in the process, I believe that with these elements we can transform good ideas into steps that are clearer, and more tangible.”

There is no guarantee that a suggestion to start developing a roadmap would win approval at COP30, although it may not need the formal approval of the conference, which operates by consensus and can be hijacked by particular groups. Climate analysts have indicated they believe there could be backing for such a idea from about 60 countries, but there are thought to be at least forty against. There are one hundred ninety-five nations participating at the talks.

“Despite being the primary source of climate change, fossil fuels are about the most divisive topic there is within the international climate talks, so to see a chunky coalition of countries publicly backing a path to achieving global transition is in itself highly significant.”

“Put simply, there’s no route to a planet where temperature rise stays below 1.5 degrees in which nations cannot to discuss fossil fuel phaseout.”

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

Discussions continued on Saturday on four outstanding topics that have still not been included into the formal schedule: trade, openness, finance and how to tackle the shortfall between the emissions cuts countries have proposed and those needed to hold to the 1.5C temperature limit.

A summit president promised a “document” that would cover these issues, after consultations – which have been going on since the start of the week – were unresolved. He called on countries to embrace the “mutirão” spirit, referring to one of cooperation and positive discussion.

Work on other key issues – such as adjustment to the effects of the climate crisis, the fair shift for those impacted by the transition to a green economy and how to build governance capabilities in less developed nations – proceeded productively, the host reported.

Brazil’s lead representative said the technical part of the COP process was approaching completion, and the political stage – when ministers who have the power to alter their countries’ stances join – was starting.