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The climate chief, the minister, has called on every country to show the courage needed to address the necessity of a global fossil fuel phaseout, describing the development of a roadmap as an “ethical” answer to the global warming emergency.

The minister stressed, though, that participation in this process would be optional and “self-determined” for willing nations.

This issue stands as one of the most contentious matters at the COP30 in the host country, with nations split over if and how such a roadmap can be addressed. Hosting the event, the nation has adopted a balanced stance on what can be placed on the formal agenda.

The official voiced approval for the potential of a roadmap, without explicitly committing the country to it. The minister remarked: “In times we have a situation that is quite grim, it is helpful that we have a guide. But the guide does not compel us to proceed, or to climb.”

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

Scores of countries gathered in Belém for the UN climate summit, which is entering its second week, are aiming to determine how a global phaseout of oil, gas, and coal could work. These nations aim to build on a landmark agreement made two years ago at a previous UN summit to “move away from fossil fuels.”

That pledge lacked a timetable or specifics on how it could be achieved, and even though it was adopted unanimously, several nations have later tried to back away from the promise. Attempts last year to elaborate on its practical implications were blocked by opposition from oil-dependent nations at COP29.

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

For these reasons, Brazil has been wary of calls by certain countries to include the phaseout on the agenda for COP30. But Silva has worked hard in private to ensure the topic could be discussed at the summit apart from the official agenda.

The minister won over Brazil’s leader, who gave public reference three times to the need to “shift from reliance on fossil fuels” at the global leaders' meeting that preceded the conference, and at the start of the event.

“The issue is a matter 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 explained. “We acknowledge that it is challenging, and we must not sell unrealistic expectations. Raising the subject is brave, and I wish [to see] this courage from all, from producing nations and consumers.”

Brazil had not initiated the call for a phaseout, the minister said, because that had been done at the earlier summit. Rather, it was allowing the talks to take place in accordance with what some nations desired. “We know these subjects are sensitive. We will provide the chance to talk about it,” the minister added.

There is not enough time at COP30 to create a roadmap, a process Silva called could take several years because numerous countries confronted complicated challenges around dependence on carbon-based energy, or wanted to use the proceeds from exporting fossil fuels to fund their economic growth.

“Brazil raises the subject, because Brazil is both a producer and consumer,” she noted. “But Brazil is different, because it, if it wants to, does not have to rely on non-renewables. We have to recognise that there are certain nations that depend on fossil fuels in their economic systems and don’t have easy solutions, and some where oil and gas are the foundation of their economy.

“To be fair is to be just to everyone, but the essential, primordial fairness is not being unfair to the Earth, because it is our shared home.”

If the pledge gains enough backing, COP30 could establish a forum in which the process of drawing up a strategy to the transition could start.

This process would require dialogue with all participating countries to the UN framework convention on climate change and guidelines for how the process would proceed, Silva said. “After we have standards, a management framework can be drawn up; once we have a strategy, and create safeguards to be able to establish trust in the system, I am confident that with these elements we can transform good ideas into steps that are more defined, and more concrete.”

It is uncertain that a proposal to start drawing up a plan would win approval at COP30, although it may not need the formal consent of the conference, which proceeds by unanimous agreement and can be disrupted by particular groups. COP analysts have suggested they think there could be support for such a idea from about sixty countries, but there are believed to be at least 40 against. There are one hundred ninety-five nations participating at the talks.

“Despite being the primary source of global warming, carbon-based energy are about the most contentious subject there is within the international climate talks, so to see a chunky group of countries publicly supporting a path to achieving global transition is in itself pretty groundbreaking.”

“In simple terms, there’s no path to a planet where temperature rise remains below 1.5C in which countries aren’t able to discuss fossil fuel phaseout.”

“We require this wording for actual in this conversation. It’s quite stupid that we talk about everything but then when the main issue are the actual challenge.”

Discussions carried on on Saturday on four unresolved issues that have not yet been included into the formal schedule: commerce, transparency, funding and how to tackle the shortfall between the carbon reduction nations have proposed and those needed to keep to the 1.5-degree temperature target.

The COP30 chair pledged a “note” that would cover these matters, after consultations – which have been underway since Monday – were inconclusive. The official urged nations to embrace the “mutirão” spirit, referring to one of cooperation and positive dialogue.

Work on additional key topics – including adjustment to the effects of the climate crisis, the just transition for those affected by the transition to a green economic system and how to build governance capabilities in developing countries – carried on productively, the host reported.

Brazil’s chief negotiator said the detailed part of the summit process was nearing completion, and the high-level phase – when government leaders who have the power to change their countries’ positions join – was beginning.