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Brazil’s climate chief, the minister, has called on every country to show the courage needed to address the imperative of a global transition away from fossil fuels, labeling the creation of a detailed plan as an “moral” response to the global warming emergency.

The minister emphasized, though, that involvement in this process would be voluntary and “independently decided” for willing governments.

The topic remains one of the most contentious matters at the COP30 in the host country, with countries split over whether and in what way such a roadmap can be addressed. Hosting the event, Brazil has maintained a balanced stance on what can be placed on the official schedule.

The official expressed approval for the possibility of a plan, though not directly pledging Brazil to it. The minister stated: “In times we have a terrain that is very challenging, it is helpful that we have a guide. But the guide does not force us to proceed, or to advance.”

In an interview, the minister noted: “The map is an response to our scientific understanding [of the climate crisis]. It is an ethical answer.”

Dozens of countries meeting in Belém for the UN climate summit, which is entering its next phase, are aiming to establish how a worldwide transition of fossil fuels could work. They aim to advance a landmark agreement made two years ago at COP28 to “transition away from non-renewable energy sources.”

That commitment had no a timetable or specifics on how it could be realized, and even though it was adopted by all, several countries have later tried to back away from the promise. Efforts last year to elaborate on its real-world implications were stymied by opposition from petrostates at COP29.

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

For these reasons, Brazil has been cautious of demands by certain nations to place the transition on the schedule for COP30. 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 leader, who gave public reference repeatedly 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.

“This is something that we understand at some point had to be put forward, because it is the sole way to face the problem from the source,” Marina Silva explained. “We recognise that it is challenging, and we cannot sell unrealistic expectations. Bringing up the topic is brave, and I wish [to see] this bravery from everyone, from producing nations and using countries.”

Brazil had not started the call for a phaseout, the minister clarified, because that had been done at the earlier summit. Instead, it was enabling the talks to take place in accordance with what some nations desired. “We understand these topics are delicate. We will give the opportunity to talk about it,” the minister added.

Time is insufficient at the summit to draw up a roadmap, a task the minister called could take a number of years because numerous nations confronted complex issues around dependence on fossil fuels, or aimed to use the revenue from exporting oil and gas to finance their development.

“The country brings up the topic, because it is both a producing nation and consumer,” the minister said. “But Brazil is unique, because it, if it chooses to, does not have to rely on fossil fuels. We have to recognise that there are certain nations that rely on carbon energy in their economic systems and lack simple solutions, and some where fossil fuels are the foundation of their economic structure.

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

If the proposal receives enough backing, the summit could set up a forum in which the process of drawing up a strategy to the phaseout could begin.

This endeavor would involve discussions with every participating countries to the UN framework convention on climate change and guidelines for how the initiative would unfold, the minister explained. “Once we have criteria, a management framework can be developed; once we have a strategy, 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 steps that are clearer, and more tangible.”

It is uncertain that a suggestion to begin developing a plan would be accepted at the conference, although it may not need the formal approval of the conference, which proceeds by consensus and can be hijacked by particular groups. Climate experts have indicated they think there could be support for such a idea from about 60 countries, but there are believed to be at least 40 against. There are one hundred ninety-five countries represented at the talks.

“In spite of being the root cause of global warming, carbon-based energy are about the most divisive topic there is within the international climate talks, so to see a chunky group of nations publicly backing a path to achieving worldwide phaseout is in itself highly significant.”

“Put simply, there’s no path to a planet where temperature rise stays below 1.5 degrees in which countries cannot to discuss ending fossil fuel use.”

“We require this language for real in this discussion. It’s quite stupid that we discuss everything but that when fossil fuels are the actual challenge.”

Discussions carried on on Saturday on four unresolved issues that have still not been incorporated into the formal schedule: commerce, openness, funding and how to tackle the shortfall between the emissions cuts nations have planned and those needed to hold to the 1.5C warming limit.

The COP30 president pledged a “note” that would address these matters, after consultations – which have been underway since the start of the week – were unresolved. The official urged countries to adopt the “mutirão” attitude, meaning one of cooperation and constructive dialogue.

Progress on additional substantive issues – such as adjustment to the impacts of the climate crisis, the fair shift for those impacted by the transition to a green economy and how to build institutional capacity in developing countries – carried on constructively, the host said.

Brazil’s lead representative stated the detailed part of the summit proceedings was approaching completion, and the high-level stage – when government leaders who have the power to alter their countries’ positions join – was beginning.