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The climate chief, the minister, has called on all nations to demonstrate the bravery needed to address the necessity of a global fossil fuel phaseout, labeling the development of a roadmap as an “ethical” answer to the global warming emergency.

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

The topic remains one of the most debated subjects at the UN climate summit in Brazil, with countries split over whether and in what way such a roadmap can be addressed. As the host, Brazil has maintained a carefully neutral position on what can be included on the formal schedule.

The official voiced support for the potential of a roadmap, without directly pledging Brazil to it. She remarked: “When we have a situation that is quite grim, it is good that we have a map. But the map does not compel us to proceed, 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 response.”

Scores of countries gathered in the host city for the global climate conference, which is starting its next phase, are seeking to establish how a worldwide phaseout of fossil fuels could work. These nations hope to build on a landmark agreement made two years ago at COP28 to “move away from fossil fuels.”

That commitment had no a schedule or specifics on the way it could be achieved, and even though it was adopted unanimously, some nations have later attempted to disavow the pledge. Attempts last year to expand on its real-world implications were stymied by opposition from oil-dependent nations at another UN summit.

Consequently, there was no reference of the shift away from fossil fuels in the final agreement of COP29.

Because of this, the host has been wary of calls by certain countries to include the transition on the agenda for COP30. But the minister has worked hard in private to ensure the pledge could be talked about at the conference outside the formal program.

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

“The issue is a matter that we understand at some point had to be raised, because it is the only way to face the issue from the root,” the minister explained. “We recognise that it is challenging, and we must not sell unrealistic expectations. Raising the subject is brave, and I hope [to see] this bravery from everyone, from producers and consumers.”

Brazil had not started the call for a transition, the minister clarified, because that had been initiated at the earlier summit. Rather, it was allowing the discussions to take place in accordance with what some nations wished. “We know these subjects are delicate. We will give the opportunity to talk about it,” she added.

Time is insufficient at the summit to create a detailed plan, a task Silva called could take several years because many nations faced complex challenges around dependence on carbon-based energy, or aimed to use the revenue from selling oil and gas to fund their economic growth.

“Brazil raises the topic, because Brazil is both a producing nation and consumer,” the minister said. “But Brazil is different, because Brazil, if it chooses to, does not have to rely on fossil fuels. We have to recognise that there are some that depend on fossil fuels in their economic systems and lack easy alternatives, and others where fossil fuels are the basis of their economy.

“To be fair is to be just to all, but the essential, primordial fairness is to avoid being unfair to the Earth, because it is our home.”

Should the proposal receives enough backing, the summit could establish a forum in which the process of drawing up a roadmap to the transition could start.

The process would involve discussions with every signatory countries to the UN framework convention on climate change and criteria for how the process would proceed, Silva said. “Once we have criteria, a governance structure can be developed; once we have a plan, and create protections to be able to establish trust in the system, I am confident that with these components we can turn positive concepts into actions that are more defined, and more concrete.”

It is uncertain that a suggestion to start developing a roadmap would be accepted at COP30, even if it does not require the formal approval of the summit, which operates by consensus and can be hijacked by particular groups. Climate analysts have suggested they believe there could be support for such a proposal from about 60 nations, but there are thought to be at least forty opposed. A total of one hundred ninety-five nations participating at the talks.

“In spite of being the primary source of climate change, fossil fuels are about the most contentious subject there is within the international climate talks, so to see a chunky coalition of nations publicly supporting a path to achieving global phaseout is in itself highly significant.”

“In simple terms, there’s no path to a planet where warming stays below 1.5 degrees in which nations cannot to discuss fossil fuel phaseout.”

“We need this language for actual in this discussion. It’s highly illogical that we discuss all topics but then when the main issue are the real problem.”

Negotiations carried on on the weekend on four unresolved topics that have still not been incorporated into the formal agenda: commerce, transparency, finance and how to tackle the shortfall between the emissions cuts countries have planned and those needed to keep to the 1.5-degree warming limit.

The summit president pledged a “document” that would cover these matters, after discussions – which have been underway since Monday – were inconclusive. The official called on countries to adopt the “mutirão” attitude, referring to one of cooperation and positive discussion.

Work on other substantive topics – such as adjustment to the impacts of the climate crisis, the fair shift for those impacted by the transition to a green economic system and how to build governance capabilities in developing countries – proceeded constructively, the presidency said.

The host nation's chief negotiator said the detailed phase of the COP process was approaching the end, and the high-level stage – when ministers who have the power to alter their countries’ stances arrive – was beginning.