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

She emphasized, however, that participation in this process would be optional and “self-determined” for willing governments.

The topic stands as one of the most contentious matters at the COP30 in Brazil, with nations divided over whether and in what way such a strategy can be discussed. As the host, Brazil has adopted a balanced stance on which items can be placed on the official schedule.

Silva voiced support for the possibility of a roadmap, though not explicitly pledging the country to it. She remarked: “When we have a situation that is very challenging, it is helpful that we have a map. But the guide does not force us to proceed, or to advance.”

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

Scores of countries gathered in the host city for the global climate conference, which is starting its next phase, are aiming to determine how a worldwide transition of fossil fuels could work. They hope to advance a historic resolution made two years ago at COP28 to “transition away from fossil fuels.”

The pledge had no a schedule or specifics on how it could be achieved, and although it was adopted unanimously, some countries have later attempted to back away from the promise. Attempts last year to expand on its practical implications were stymied by opposition from petrostates at COP29.

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

For these reasons, Brazil has been cautious of calls by some nations to include the phaseout on the agenda for the current summit. But the minister has worked hard behind the scenes to ensure the pledge could be discussed at the conference apart from the official agenda.

The minister won over the nation's president, and he gave mention three times to the need to “shift from reliance on fossil fuels” at the global leaders' meeting that preceded COP30, and at the start of the summit.

“This is something that we understand at a certain time had to be raised, because it is the only way to face the issue from the source,” Marina Silva explained. “We recognise that it is challenging, and we cannot offer unrealistic expectations. Bringing up the subject is courageous, and I hope [to see] this bravery from all, from producers and consumers.”

Brazil had not initiated the push for a phaseout, the minister clarified, because that had been initiated at the earlier summit. Instead, it was allowing the talks to take place in line with what certain countries desired. “We know these topics are delicate. We will provide the chance to discuss it,” the minister added.

Time is insufficient at COP30 to create a detailed plan, a process the minister said could take several years because many countries faced complicated challenges around dependence on fossil fuels, or aimed to use the proceeds from exporting oil and gas to finance their economic growth.

“Brazil brings up the subject, because Brazil is simultaneously a producer and consumer,” she said. “But the nation is different, because it, if it chooses to, does not have to depend on fossil fuels. We have to recognise that there are certain nations that depend on fossil fuels in their economic systems and don’t have easy alternatives, and some where fossil fuels are the basis of their economic structure.

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

If the pledge gains sufficient backing, COP30 could establish a platform in which the work of drawing up a strategy to the transition could start.

This process would involve dialogue with every signatory nations to the UN framework convention on climate change and criteria for how the initiative would proceed, Silva said. “After we have criteria, a management framework can be developed; once we have a plan, and create protections to be able to build trust in the system, I believe that with these elements we can transform positive concepts into steps that are clearer, and more concrete.”

It is uncertain that a proposal to start drawing up a plan would win approval at COP30, although it may not need the formal consent of the summit, which proceeds by unanimous agreement and can be disrupted by special interests. COP analysts have indicated they think there could be support for such a proposal from about sixty countries, but there are thought to be at least 40 against. There are one hundred ninety-five countries participating at the talks.

“Despite being the primary source of climate change, fossil fuels are about the most contentious topic there is within the UN negotiations, so to see a chunky coalition of countries openly supporting a path to achieving global phaseout is in itself pretty groundbreaking.”

“Put simply, 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 wording for real in this discussion. It’s highly illogical that we discuss everything but that when the main issue are the real challenge.”

Negotiations carried on on the weekend on four outstanding issues that have not yet been included into the official schedule: trade, openness, finance and how to tackle the shortfall between the emissions cuts countries have proposed and those required to keep to the 1.5C temperature limit.

The COP30 chair promised a “note” that would cover these matters, after consultations – which have been underway since the start of the week – were inconclusive. The official urged countries to adopt the “mutirão” attitude, referring to one of cooperation and constructive discussion.

Work on additional key topics – including adaptation to the impacts of the climate emergency, the fair shift for those affected by the transition to a green economy and how to strengthen institutional capacity in less developed nations – proceeded productively, the host reported.

The host nation's lead representative stated the technical part of the COP proceedings was approaching the end, and the political stage – when ministers who have the authority to change their countries’ stances arrive – was starting.