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The climate chief, the minister, has called on every country to show the bravery needed to address the imperative of a global transition away from fossil fuels, labeling the development of a detailed plan as an “ethical” answer to the climate crisis.

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

The topic stands as one of the most debated subjects at the UN climate summit in Brazil, with nations divided over if and in what way such a strategy can be addressed. As the host, the nation has maintained a carefully neutral stance on what can be placed on the formal agenda.

The official expressed approval for the possibility of a plan, though not explicitly committing the country to it. She remarked: “In times we have a situation that is very challenging, it is helpful that we have a guide. But the guide does not compel us to travel, or to advance.”

In an interview, she noted: “The roadmap is an answer to our scientific knowledge [of the climate emergency]. It is an ethical answer.”

Dozens of nations meeting in the host city for the UN climate summit, which is starting its second week, are aiming to establish how a global transition of fossil fuels could work. These nations hope to build on a landmark agreement made two years ago at a previous UN summit to “move away from non-renewable energy sources.”

The commitment lacked a schedule or details on the way it could be achieved, and although it was adopted by all, some nations have later attempted to back away from the pledge. Attempts last year to elaborate on its real-world implications were stymied by opposition from oil-dependent nations at COP29.

As a result, there was no reference of the shift away from carbon fuels in the final agreement of that conference.

Because of this, Brazil has been cautious of demands by certain nations to include the transition on the schedule for the current summit. But Silva has worked hard behind the scenes to make sure the pledge could be talked about at the summit outside the formal program.

The minister convinced the nation's president, and he made 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 opening of the summit.

“The issue is something that we understand at a certain time had to be put forward, because it is the only way to address the problem from the source,” the minister said. “We acknowledge that it is challenging, and we must not offer unrealistic expectations. Raising the topic is courageous, and I wish [to see] this bravery from everyone, from producers and consumers.”

Brazil had not started the push for a phaseout, the minister clarified, because that had been initiated at COP28. Instead, it was allowing the discussions to occur in line with what some countries wished. “We understand these subjects are sensitive. We will provide the opportunity to discuss it,” she added.

Time is insufficient at COP30 to draw up a detailed plan, a task Silva said could take a number of years because numerous countries faced complex issues around reliance on carbon-based energy, or wanted to use the proceeds from selling oil and gas to finance their development.

“The country raises the subject, because it is both a producer and consumer,” the minister noted. “But Brazil is different, because Brazil, if it wants to, need not rely on non-renewables. We have to recognise that there are some that rely on fossil fuels in their economies and lack easy solutions, and others where fossil fuels are the basis of their economic structure.

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

If the proposal receives sufficient backing, COP30 could establish a platform in which the process of drawing up a roadmap to the transition could begin.

The endeavor would involve discussions with every signatory nations to the UN framework convention on climate change and criteria for how the process would unfold, the minister said. “After we have standards, a management framework can be developed; once we have a strategy, and establish safeguards to be able to build trust in the process, I am confident that with these elements we can turn good ideas into steps that are clearer, and more concrete.”

It is uncertain that a proposal to start drawing up a plan would win approval at the conference, even if it does not require the formal consent of the conference, which proceeds by consensus and can be hijacked by special interests. COP analysts have suggested they think there could be support for such a idea from about sixty nations, but there are thought to be at least 40 against. There are 195 countries participating at the negotiations.

“In spite of being the primary source of global warming, fossil fuels are about the most divisive topic there is within the international climate talks, so to see a chunky coalition of countries publicly supporting a path to achieving worldwide phaseout is in itself pretty groundbreaking.”

“Put simply, there’s no path to a world where temperature rise remains below 1.5C in which countries aren’t able to talk about ending fossil fuel use.”

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

Discussions continued on the weekend on four unresolved issues that have not yet been incorporated into the official schedule: commerce, transparency, finance and how to address the gap between the carbon reduction countries have planned and those required to keep to the 1.5-degree warming limit.

The COP30 president pledged a “note” that would cover these issues, after consultations – which have been underway since Monday – were inconclusive. He urged countries to adopt the “mutirão” spirit, meaning one of cooperation and positive discussion.

Progress on other key issues – including adaptation to the impacts of the climate crisis, the fair shift for those impacted by the move to a low-carbon economy and how to build governance capabilities in less developed nations – carried on productively, the presidency said.

The host nation's lead representative stated the detailed part of the COP proceedings was nearing completion, and the political stage – when government leaders who have the power to change their nations' stances arrive – was beginning.