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Brazil’s climate chief, the minister, has urged every country to demonstrate the courage needed to address the necessity of a worldwide transition away from fossil fuels, describing the development of a detailed plan as an “moral” response to the global warming emergency.

She stressed, however, that involvement in this process would be optional and “independently decided” for willing nations.

This issue stands as one of the most debated matters at the COP30 in the host country, with countries divided over if and how such a strategy can be discussed. Hosting the event, the nation has adopted a balanced position on which items can be included on the official agenda.

Silva voiced approval for the possibility of a plan, though not directly pledging Brazil to it. She stated: “When we have a situation that is quite grim, it is good that we have a guide. But the map does not compel us to travel, or to advance.”

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

Scores of countries gathered in Belém for the UN climate summit, which is entering its next phase, are aiming to determine how a worldwide transition of oil, gas, and coal could be implemented. These nations hope to build on a historic resolution made two years ago at COP28 to “transition away from non-renewable energy sources.”

The pledge lacked a schedule or details on how it could be achieved, and even though it was adopted unanimously, some nations have since tried to disavow the pledge. Efforts last year to expand on its practical implications were stymied by opposition from oil-dependent nations at another UN summit.

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

Because of this, the host has been cautious of demands by some countries to place the transition on the schedule for COP30. But the minister has worked hard behind the scenes to ensure the topic could be talked about at the conference apart from the official program.

The minister convinced the nation's president, who made public reference three times to the need to “move away from reliance on fossil fuels” at the global leaders' meeting that came before COP30, and at the start of the summit.

“The issue is something that we understand at some point had to be put forward, because it is the only way to face the issue from the root,” the minister said. “We recognise that it is challenging, and we must not offer unrealistic expectations. Bringing up the subject is courageous, and I wish [to see] this courage from all, from producers and consumers.”

The nation had not started the push for a transition, the minister clarified, because that had been initiated at the earlier summit. Instead, it was allowing the discussions to take place in accordance with what some nations wished. “We understand these subjects are delicate. We will give the opportunity to discuss it,” the minister said.

There is not enough time at the summit to draw up a detailed plan, a task Silva called could take several years because numerous countries confronted complex issues around reliance on fossil fuels, or aimed to use the proceeds from selling oil and gas to fund their economic growth.

“Brazil brings up the subject, because it is simultaneously a producing nation and consumer,” the minister noted. “But the nation is different, because Brazil, if it wants to, does not have to depend on fossil fuels. We have to recognise that there are certain nations that rely on carbon energy in their economic systems and don’t have easy solutions, and some where oil and gas are the basis of their economy.

“To be fair is to be just to everyone, but the fundamental, basic justice is to avoid being unfair to the planet, because it is our shared home.”

If the pledge gains enough support, the summit could set up a forum in which the process of drawing up a strategy to the phaseout could begin.

This process would involve discussions with all signatory countries to the UN climate treaty and criteria for how the initiative would proceed, the minister said. “Once we have standards, a governance structure can be developed; once we have a plan, and create safeguards to be able to establish confidence in the system, I am confident that with these elements we can transform positive concepts into actions that are more defined, and more concrete.”

There is no guarantee that a proposal to start drawing up a roadmap would be accepted at COP30, although it may not need the formal approval of the conference, which proceeds by consensus and can be hijacked by particular groups. Climate analysts have indicated they believe there could be backing for such a proposal from about 60 nations, but there are believed to be at least 40 against. A total of 195 countries represented at the talks.

“In spite of being the root cause of climate change, carbon-based energy are about the most contentious topic there is within the international climate talks, so to see a sizable coalition of countries openly supporting a route to realizing global phaseout is in itself highly significant.”

“In simple terms, there’s no route to a planet where warming remains below 1.5 degrees in which countries cannot to discuss ending fossil fuel use.”

“We need this language for real in this conversation. It’s quite stupid that we talk about all topics but then when fossil fuels are the real challenge.”

Discussions continued on the weekend on several outstanding issues that have still not been incorporated into the formal schedule: trade, openness, funding and how to tackle the gap between the emissions cuts nations have planned and those required to hold to the 1.5-degree warming limit.

A COP30 chair promised a “document” that would cover these issues, after discussions – which have been going on since the start of the week – were unresolved. The official urged nations to adopt the “mutirão” attitude, referring to one of collaboration and constructive discussion.

Progress on other key issues – including adaptation to the impacts of the climate emergency, the just transition for those affected by the move to a green economic system and how to build institutional capacity in developing countries – proceeded constructively, the host said.

Brazil’s lead representative stated the detailed part of the summit process was approaching completion, and the political phase – when government leaders who have the power to change their countries’ positions join – was starting.