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Brazil’s environment minister, the minister, has called on all nations to demonstrate the bravery needed to address the imperative of a global transition away from fossil fuels, labeling the creation of a detailed plan as an “ethical” response to the global warming emergency.

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

The topic remains one of the most debated subjects at the UN climate summit in the host country, with countries split over if and how such a strategy can be discussed. As the host, Brazil has maintained a balanced stance on what can be included on the official agenda.

Silva voiced approval for the possibility of a plan, though not explicitly pledging the country to it. She stated: “In times we have a terrain that is very challenging, it is good that we have a guide. But the map does not compel us to travel, or to advance.”

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

Scores of countries meeting in Belém for the UN climate summit, which is starting its next phase, are aiming to establish how a global phaseout of oil, gas, and coal could work. These nations hope to advance a landmark resolution made two years ago at COP28 to “transition away from non-renewable energy sources.”

The pledge lacked a schedule or specifics on the way it could be realized, and although it was passed by all, some nations have later attempted to back away from the pledge. Efforts last year to elaborate on its practical meaning were stymied by resistance from petrostates at COP29.

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

For these reasons, the host has been cautious of demands by certain countries to include the transition on the schedule for the current summit. But Silva has worked hard in private to ensure the pledge could be discussed at the summit apart from the official program.

The minister won over the nation's president, who gave public reference three times to the need to “move away from dependence on traditional energy” at the summit of world leaders that came before the conference, and at the opening of the event.

“The issue is a matter that we know at a certain time had to be raised, because it is the only way to face the issue from the root,” Marina Silva said. “We recognise that it is not easy, and we must not offer unrealistic expectations. Raising the subject is courageous, and I wish [to see] this courage from everyone, from producing nations and using countries.”

The nation had not initiated the call for a phaseout, she clarified, because that had been done at COP28. Rather, it was enabling the talks to take place in line with what certain countries wished. “We understand these topics are sensitive. We will provide the chance to discuss it,” the minister said.

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

“Brazil brings up the subject, because Brazil is simultaneously a producer and consumer,” the minister said. “But Brazil is unique, because it, if it wants to, does not have to depend on fossil fuels. We have to recognise that there are certain nations that rely on carbon energy in their economies and lack simple solutions, and others where fossil fuels are the foundation of their economic structure.

“To be just is to be fair to everyone, but the essential, basic fairness is not being unjust to the planet, because it is our home.”

If the pledge receives sufficient backing, COP30 could set up a platform in which the process of creating a strategy to the transition could start.

This process would involve dialogue with every signatory countries to the UN climate treaty and criteria for how the initiative would proceed, the minister explained. “Once we have standards, a governance structure can be drawn up; once we have a plan, and create safeguards to be able to establish confidence in the system, I am confident that with these elements we can turn good ideas into steps that are clearer, and more tangible.”

There is no guarantee that a proposal to start drawing up a plan would win approval at COP30, although it does not require the formal approval of the conference, which operates by consensus and can be disrupted by special interests. Climate analysts have indicated they believe there could be backing for such a proposal from about sixty nations, but there are thought to be at least 40 opposed. A total of one hundred ninety-five nations participating at the negotiations.

“Despite being the root cause of global warming, fossil fuels are about the most divisive subject there is within the UN negotiations, so to see a sizable coalition of nations openly supporting a path to achieving worldwide phaseout is in itself pretty groundbreaking.”

“In simple terms, there’s no route to a planet where temperature rise remains below 1.5C in which nations cannot to discuss fossil fuel phaseout.”

“We require this wording for actual in this conversation. It’s quite stupid that we discuss 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 formal agenda: trade, openness, finance and how to address the gap between the carbon reduction nations have planned and those required to hold to the 1.5C temperature target.

The COP30 president promised a “document” that would address these issues, after discussions – which have been going on since the start of the week – were inconclusive. He called on nations to adopt the “mutirão” spirit, referring to one of cooperation and constructive discussion.

Work on other substantive topics – such as adaptation to the effects of the climate emergency, the just transition for those impacted by the transition to a green economy and how to build institutional capacity in less developed nations – carried on constructively, the host reported.

The host nation's chief negotiator said the detailed phase of the summit proceedings was approaching the end, and the political phase – when ministers who have the authority to change their nations' positions arrive – was starting.