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Brazil’s environment minister, the minister, has urged every country to demonstrate the bravery needed to confront the imperative of a worldwide fossil fuel phaseout, describing the creation of a detailed plan as an “moral” answer to the climate crisis.

She emphasized, though, 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 the host country, with countries divided over if and in what way such a roadmap can be discussed. Hosting the event, the nation has adopted a carefully neutral stance on what can be included on the formal schedule.

The official expressed support for the potential of a plan, without explicitly pledging Brazil to it. She stated: “In times we have a situation that is quite grim, it is good that we have a map. But the map does not force us to travel, or to advance.”

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

Scores of nations gathered in Belém for the global climate conference, which is entering its second week, are seeking to determine how a global phaseout of oil, gas, and coal could be implemented. They hope to build on a historic agreement made two years ago at a previous UN summit to “move away from fossil fuels.”

The commitment had no a schedule or details on the way it could be realized, and even though it was adopted unanimously, several countries have since attempted to disavow the promise. Efforts last year to expand on its real-world meaning were stymied by opposition from petrostates at COP29.

Consequently, there was no reference of the transition away from fossil fuels in the outcome of COP29.

For these reasons, Brazil has been cautious of calls by certain nations to place the phaseout on the agenda for COP30. But the minister has strived behind the scenes to make sure the topic could be discussed at the summit apart from the official agenda.

The minister convinced the nation's leader, and he gave mention three times to the need to “shift from reliance on traditional energy” at the global leaders' meeting that came before COP30, and at the start of the summit.

“This is a matter that we understand at some point had to be put forward, because it is the only way to address the issue from the root,” the minister said. “We recognise that it is challenging, and we must not sell false hopes. Bringing up the subject is courageous, and I wish [to see] this bravery from all, from producers and consumers.”

The nation had not initiated the call for a phaseout, she said, because that had been done at the earlier summit. Rather, it was allowing the talks to occur in line with what certain nations desired. “We understand these subjects are sensitive. We will provide the opportunity to talk about it,” the minister said.

Time is insufficient at COP30 to create a roadmap, a process the minister called could take several years because many countries faced complex challenges around reliance on fossil fuels, or wanted to use the proceeds from exporting fossil fuels to fund their development.

“Brazil brings up the topic, because Brazil is simultaneously a producer and user,” she noted. “But the nation is different, because it, if it chooses to, does not have to rely on non-renewables. We have to understand that there are some that depend on fossil fuels in their economic systems and don’t have easy solutions, and others where fossil fuels are the foundation of their economy.

“To be fair is to be fair to everyone, but the fundamental, basic fairness is to avoid being unjust to the planet, because it is our home.”

If the proposal receives sufficient support, the summit could establish a forum in which the work of creating a roadmap to the phaseout could begin.

The endeavor would involve discussions with all participating nations to the UN climate treaty and guidelines for how the process would unfold, the minister explained. “After we have criteria, a governance structure can be drawn up; once we have a strategy, and create protections to be able to build trust in the system, I am confident that with these components we can transform good ideas into actions that are clearer, and more concrete.”

It is uncertain that a suggestion to start developing a plan would win approval at the conference, although it may not need the official approval of the summit, which proceeds by consensus and can be hijacked by particular groups. Climate analysts have indicated they believe there could be support for such a idea from about sixty countries, but there are thought to be at least 40 against. A total of one hundred ninety-five nations represented at the negotiations.

“Despite being the root cause of climate change, fossil fuels are about the most divisive subject there is within the international climate talks, so to see a chunky group of countries openly supporting a route to realizing global transition is in itself pretty groundbreaking.”

“Put simply, there’s no path to a planet where temperature rise stays below 1.5 degrees in which nations cannot to talk about ending fossil fuel use.”

“We need this wording for real in this discussion. It’s highly illogical that we talk about all topics but then when fossil fuels are the actual problem.”

Negotiations carried on on Saturday on four outstanding topics that have not yet been included into the official agenda: trade, openness, funding and how to address the shortfall between the emissions cuts countries have proposed and those needed to hold to the 1.5C warming limit.

A COP30 president promised a “document” that would cover these issues, after consultations – which have been going on since Monday – were unresolved. The official urged nations to embrace the “mutirão” spirit, referring to one of collaboration and positive discussion.

Work on additional substantive topics – such as adjustment to the impacts of the climate crisis, the fair shift for those affected by the move to a low-carbon economy and how to strengthen institutional capacity in developing countries – proceeded productively, the host reported.

The host nation's lead representative stated the technical part of the summit proceedings was approaching completion, and the high-level phase – when government leaders who have the authority to alter their countries’ positions arrive – was beginning.