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The climate chief, the minister, has called on every country to show the bravery needed to address the necessity of a global fossil fuel phaseout, labeling the creation of a detailed plan as an “moral” answer to the global warming emergency.

She emphasized, though, that involvement in this endeavor would be voluntary and “self-determined” for willing nations.

This issue remains one of the most contentious matters at the UN climate summit in Brazil, with countries divided over whether and how such a roadmap can be addressed. Hosting the event, the nation has adopted a carefully neutral position on which items can be placed on the official schedule.

Silva expressed support for the potential of a plan, though not directly pledging Brazil to it. She stated: “In times we have a terrain that is very challenging, it is good that we have a map. But the map does not force us to proceed, or to climb.”

Speaking further, the minister added: “The roadmap is an answer to our scientific understanding [of the climate emergency]. It is an moral answer.”

Scores of countries meeting in Belém for the global climate conference, which is entering its next phase, are aiming to establish how a worldwide phaseout of oil, gas, and coal could work. These nations hope to build on a historic resolution reached two years ago at COP28 to “move away from non-renewable energy sources.”

That commitment had no a timetable or specifics on how it could be realized, and although it was passed unanimously, several countries have later attempted to disavow the promise. Efforts last year to elaborate on its real-world implications were stymied by opposition from oil-dependent nations at COP29.

Consequently, there was no mention of the shift away from carbon fuels in the outcome of COP29.

For these reasons, the host has been wary of calls by certain nations to include the transition on the agenda for the current summit. But Silva has strived in private to ensure the topic could be discussed at the summit apart from the formal agenda.

She won over the nation's leader, and he made public reference repeatedly to the need to “move away from dependence on fossil fuels” at the summit of world leaders that preceded COP30, and at the start of the summit.

“This is something that we understand at a certain time had to be put forward, because it is the sole way to face the issue from the root,” the minister said. “We recognise that it is challenging, and we cannot offer unrealistic expectations. Raising the topic is courageous, and I wish [to see] this courage from all, from producing nations and consumers.”

The nation had not initiated the call for a phaseout, the minister clarified, because that had been initiated at COP28. Instead, it was allowing the discussions to take place in accordance with what certain nations wished. “We know these subjects are delicate. We will provide the opportunity to talk about it,” the minister added.

There is not enough time at the summit to draw up a detailed plan, a task Silva said could take several years because numerous countries faced complicated issues around reliance on fossil fuels, or wanted to use the revenue from selling oil and gas to finance their development.

“Brazil raises the topic, because it is both a producing nation and user,” the minister said. “But Brazil is unique, because Brazil, if it chooses to, need not rely on non-renewables. We have to recognise that there are certain nations that rely on carbon energy in their economies and lack easy solutions, and some where fossil fuels are the foundation of their economy.

“To be just is to be just to all, but the fundamental, primordial justice is not being unfair to the planet, because it is our shared home.”

If the pledge gains sufficient backing, COP30 could establish a platform in which the process of creating a strategy to the phaseout could begin.

This endeavor would require dialogue with all participating nations to the UN framework convention on climate change and guidelines for how the process would unfold, the minister explained. “Once we have standards, a governance structure can be developed; once we have a plan, and create safeguards to be able to build confidence in the system, I am confident that with these components we can transform good ideas into steps that are more defined, and more tangible.”

It is uncertain that a suggestion to begin drawing up a roadmap would win approval at COP30, although it may not need the formal approval of the conference, which operates by consensus and can be hijacked by particular groups. Climate experts have indicated they think there could be backing 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 represented at the talks.

“Despite being the root cause of global warming, fossil fuels are about the most contentious subject there is within the UN negotiations, so to see a sizable coalition of nations openly backing a path to achieving global transition is in itself highly significant.”

“Put simply, there’s no route to a planet where temperature rise stays below 1.5C in which countries aren’t able to discuss fossil fuel phaseout.”

“We need this language for actual in this conversation. It’s quite stupid that we discuss all topics but then when the main issue are the actual challenge.”

Negotiations carried on on Saturday on four unresolved issues that have not yet been incorporated into the formal schedule: commerce, openness, funding and how to address the shortfall between the carbon reduction nations have planned and those needed to hold to the 1.5-degree temperature limit.

The summit chair promised a “note” that would cover these issues, after consultations – which have been going on since Monday – were inconclusive. He called on nations to embrace the “mutirão” attitude, referring to one of collaboration and constructive discussion.

Progress on other substantive issues – such as adjustment to the effects of the climate crisis, the fair shift for those affected by the transition to a green economic system and how to build governance capabilities in less developed nations – proceeded constructively, the host said.

The host nation's chief negotiator stated the detailed phase of the summit proceedings was approaching the end, and the political phase – when government leaders who have the power to alter their nations' stances join – was starting.