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Brazil’s environment minister, the minister, has urged every country to demonstrate the bravery needed to confront the imperative of a global fossil fuel phaseout, labeling the development of a detailed plan as an “moral” response to the climate crisis.

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

The topic stands as one of the most contentious matters at the COP30 in Brazil, with countries divided over if and in what way such a strategy can be discussed. As the host, the nation has adopted a carefully neutral position on which items can be placed on the official agenda.

The official expressed approval for the potential of a roadmap, though not explicitly pledging the country to it. The minister stated: “When we have a terrain that is very challenging, it is helpful that we have a guide. But the guide does not compel us to proceed, or to climb.”

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

Scores of countries gathered in the host city for the global climate conference, which is starting its second week, are seeking to determine how a worldwide transition of oil, gas, and coal could work. These nations aim to build on a landmark agreement made two years ago at COP28 to “move away from non-renewable energy sources.”

That commitment had no a schedule or specifics on the way it could be achieved, and even though it was adopted unanimously, some countries have later attempted to back away from the pledge. Efforts last year to expand on its practical meaning were stymied by opposition from oil-dependent nations at COP29.

Consequently, there was no mention of the transition away from carbon fuels in the final agreement of that conference.

Because of this, the host has been cautious of calls by certain countries to place the transition on the schedule for the current summit. But Silva has worked hard in private to make sure the pledge could be talked about at the summit apart from the official program.

She convinced Brazil’s president, who gave mention three times to the need to “shift from reliance on traditional energy” at the global leaders' meeting that came before COP30, and at the start of the event.

“The issue is a matter that we know at a certain time had to be put forward, because it is the only way to face the problem from the root,” Marina Silva explained. “We recognise that it is not easy, and we cannot sell unrealistic expectations. Raising the subject is brave, and I hope [to see] this courage from everyone, from producers and consumers.”

Brazil had not started the push for a phaseout, the minister clarified, because that had been done at COP28. Rather, it was enabling the talks 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 draw up a detailed plan, a task the minister called could take several years because numerous countries faced complex issues around dependence on fossil fuels, or wanted to use the proceeds from exporting oil and gas to finance their economic growth.

“Brazil brings up the subject, because Brazil is both a producing nation and consumer,” the minister said. “But the nation is different, because Brazil, if it chooses to, does not have to rely on fossil fuels. We have to recognise that there are certain nations that rely on fossil fuels in their economic systems and don’t have simple alternatives, and others where oil and gas are the basis of their economic structure.

“To be just is to be fair to all, but the essential, basic justice is not being unjust to the planet, because it is our shared home.”

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

This process would involve discussions with every participating nations to the UN climate treaty and criteria for how the process would unfold, the minister said. “After we have criteria, a management framework can be drawn up; after we have a plan, and create protections to be able to establish trust in the system, I believe that with these components we can transform positive concepts into actions that are clearer, and more concrete.”

It is uncertain that a suggestion to start developing a roadmap would be accepted at COP30, although it does not require the formal consent of the conference, which proceeds by unanimous agreement and can be disrupted by particular groups. Climate experts have indicated they think there could be backing for such a proposal from about sixty countries, but there are thought to be at least 40 against. There are one hundred ninety-five nations participating at the talks.

“In spite of being the primary source of climate change, fossil fuels are about the most contentious subject there is within the UN negotiations, so to see a sizable group of countries publicly supporting a route to realizing global phaseout is in itself pretty groundbreaking.”

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

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

Negotiations carried on on Saturday on four outstanding issues that have still not been incorporated into the formal agenda: trade, openness, funding and how to address the shortfall between the carbon reduction nations have planned and those required to keep to the 1.5C temperature target.

A COP30 chair promised a “note” that would address these issues, after consultations – which have been underway since the start of the week – were inconclusive. He called on nations to adopt the “mutirão” spirit, meaning one of cooperation and positive dialogue.

Work on additional key issues – including adaptation to the impacts 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 presidency said.

The host nation's chief negotiator said the detailed phase of the COP process was approaching the end, and the political stage – when government leaders who have the authority to alter their countries’ positions join – was beginning.