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Brazil’s climate chief, the minister, has called on all nations to show the bravery needed to address the necessity of a worldwide transition away from fossil fuels, labeling the creation of a detailed plan as an “moral” response to the climate crisis.

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

The topic stands as one of the most contentious subjects at the COP30 in the host country, with nations divided over if and how such a strategy can be addressed. As the host, Brazil has maintained a carefully neutral position on what can be included on the formal agenda.

Silva voiced approval for the potential of a roadmap, without explicitly pledging Brazil to it. The minister stated: “When we have a situation that is very challenging, it is good that we have a map. But the map does not compel us to travel, or to advance.”

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

Dozens of nations meeting in the host city for the UN climate summit, which is starting its next phase, are seeking to determine how a worldwide phaseout of oil, gas, and coal could be implemented. They hope to build on a historic agreement reached two years ago at a previous UN summit to “transition away from fossil fuels.”

That pledge had no a schedule or specifics on how it could be realized, and even though it was adopted by all, some nations have later attempted to disavow the pledge. Efforts last year to expand on its real-world meaning were stymied by opposition from petrostates at another UN summit.

As a result, there was no mention of the transition away from fossil fuels in the final agreement of COP29.

For these reasons, the host has been cautious of demands by some countries to place the transition on the agenda for the current summit. But Silva has strived in private to make sure the pledge could be discussed at the summit outside the official agenda.

The minister won over the nation's leader, and he made mention three times to the need to “shift from dependence on fossil fuels” at the summit of world leaders that came before COP30, and at the start of the summit.

“This is a matter that we understand at some point had to be raised, because it is the sole way to address the issue from the root,” the minister explained. “We recognise that it is not easy, and we must not offer unrealistic expectations. Bringing up the topic is courageous, and I wish [to see] this courage from all, from producing nations and using countries.”

The nation had not started the call for a phaseout, she clarified, because that had been done at the earlier summit. Rather, it was enabling the talks to occur in line with what certain countries desired. “We understand these topics are delicate. We will provide the chance to discuss it,” the minister added.

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 faced complex issues around reliance on carbon-based energy, or wanted to use the revenue from exporting fossil fuels to fund their economic growth.

“The country raises the subject, because Brazil is simultaneously a producer and user,” the minister said. “But Brazil is unique, because Brazil, if it wants to, need not 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 others where fossil fuels are the basis of their economic structure.

“To be fair is to be fair to all, but the fundamental, primordial fairness is to avoid being unjust to the planet, because it is our home.”

If the pledge gains enough backing, the summit could set up a forum in which the work of drawing up a strategy to the phaseout could start.

The process would involve dialogue with every signatory countries to the UN climate treaty and guidelines for how the process would proceed, Silva said. “After 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 components we can turn good ideas into steps that are clearer, and more tangible.”

It is uncertain that a suggestion to start developing a plan would be accepted at the conference, although it does not require the formal approval of the summit, which operates by consensus and can be hijacked by particular groups. COP analysts have suggested they think there could be backing for such a proposal from about 60 countries, but there are thought to be at least forty against. There are one hundred ninety-five countries represented at the talks.

“In spite of being the root cause of climate change, fossil fuels are about the most contentious topic there is within the international climate talks, so to see a sizable coalition of countries publicly backing a route to realizing worldwide transition is in itself pretty groundbreaking.”

“Put simply, there’s no path to a world where warming stays below 1.5C in which countries cannot to talk about ending fossil fuel use.”

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

Negotiations carried on on Saturday on four unresolved issues that have still not been incorporated into the formal agenda: commerce, transparency, funding and how to tackle the shortfall between the carbon reduction countries have planned and those required to keep to the 1.5-degree temperature target.

A COP30 president pledged a “note” that would cover these matters, after consultations – which have been going on since the start of the week – were unresolved. The official called on nations to embrace the “mutirão” spirit, referring to one of collaboration and constructive dialogue.

Work on additional substantive topics – including adjustment to the effects of the climate crisis, the fair shift for those affected by the transition to a green economy and how to build governance capabilities in developing countries – carried on productively, the presidency said.

Brazil’s chief negotiator said the detailed phase of the summit proceedings was approaching the end, and the high-level stage – when ministers who have the power to change their countries’ stances join – was beginning.