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The climate chief, the minister, has called on every country to demonstrate the courage needed to confront the imperative of a global fossil fuel phaseout, labeling the creation of a detailed plan as an “moral” response to the climate crisis.

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

This issue remains one of the most contentious matters at the COP30 in Brazil, with countries split over whether and how such a strategy can be discussed. As the host, the nation has adopted a balanced stance on which items can be included on the official agenda.

The official expressed support for the potential of a plan, though not explicitly pledging the country to it. The minister stated: “When we have a situation that is quite grim, it is helpful that we have a guide. But the map does not compel us to proceed, or to climb.”

In an interview, she added: “The roadmap is an response to our scientific knowledge [of the climate crisis]. It is an moral response.”

Scores of nations meeting in the host city for the UN climate summit, which is starting its next phase, are seeking to establish how a global phaseout of fossil fuels could work. They aim to build on a historic agreement made two years ago at COP28 to “transition away from fossil fuels.”

The commitment had no a schedule or specifics on the way it could be achieved, and although it was adopted unanimously, several countries have later tried to disavow 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 transition away from fossil fuels in the final agreement of that conference.

Because of this, Brazil has been wary of calls by certain countries to place the phaseout on the agenda for COP30. But the minister has worked hard behind the scenes to make sure the pledge could be talked about at the summit apart from the official program.

She won over the nation's president, and he gave mention repeatedly to the need to “move away from dependence on traditional energy” at the summit of world leaders that preceded COP30, and at the start of the summit.

“The issue is a matter that we understand at a certain time had to be put forward, because it is the only way to address the issue from the source,” Marina Silva said. “We recognise that it is challenging, and we cannot offer false hopes. Raising the topic is courageous, and I wish [to see] this bravery from everyone, from producing nations and using countries.”

Brazil had not started the push for a phaseout, the minister said, because that had been done at COP28. Instead, it was allowing the talks to take place in accordance with what some nations wished. “We know these subjects are sensitive. We will provide the opportunity to talk about it,” she added.

Time is insufficient at the summit to draw up a detailed plan, a task Silva called could take several years because many countries faced complicated challenges around reliance on carbon-based energy, or wanted to use the revenue from selling oil and gas to finance their economic growth.

“Brazil brings up the topic, because it is simultaneously a producer and user,” the minister noted. “But Brazil is different, because it, if it chooses to, does not have to rely on non-renewables. We have to recognise that there are some that depend on fossil fuels in their economies and don’t have easy solutions, and others where oil and gas are the basis of their economic structure.

“To be just is to be fair to all, but the fundamental, basic justice is to avoid being unfair to the Earth, because it is our home.”

If the proposal gains enough support, COP30 could set up a forum in which the process of creating a strategy to the phaseout could start.

The endeavor would involve discussions with all participating nations to the UN framework convention on climate change and criteria for how the initiative would unfold, the minister said. “Once we have standards, a management framework can be drawn up; once we have a strategy, and establish protections to be able to build trust in the process, I believe that with these elements we can transform positive concepts into steps that are more defined, and more concrete.”

It is uncertain that a proposal to start developing a plan would be accepted at the conference, even if it may not need the formal approval of the summit, which proceeds by consensus and can be hijacked by particular groups. Climate experts have suggested they believe there could be backing for such a proposal from about sixty countries, but there are thought to be at least forty opposed. There are 195 countries participating at the negotiations.

“In spite of being the root cause of global warming, fossil fuels are about the most divisive topic there is within the UN negotiations, so to see a chunky group of nations openly backing a route to realizing global transition is in itself highly significant.”

“Put simply, there’s no path to a world where temperature rise stays below 1.5C in which nations aren’t able to discuss ending fossil fuel use.”

“We need this language for real in this conversation. It’s highly illogical that we talk about everything but then when fossil fuels are the actual problem.”

Negotiations continued on Saturday on several outstanding issues that have still not been included into the formal agenda: trade, openness, funding and how to address the gap between the emissions cuts nations have proposed and those required to hold to the 1.5C temperature target.

The summit president pledged a “document” that would cover these issues, after discussions – which have been going on since the start of the week – were unresolved. The official called on nations to embrace the “mutirão” attitude, meaning one of cooperation and constructive dialogue.

Work on additional key issues – including adjustment to the effects of the climate emergency, the just transition for those impacted by the move to a green economy and how to strengthen institutional capacity in less developed nations – carried on productively, the host said.

The host nation's lead representative said the detailed part of the summit process was nearing the end, and the high-level stage – when government leaders who have the power to change their nations' stances join – was beginning.