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The climate chief, the minister, has called on every country to show the courage needed to confront the necessity of a global transition away from fossil fuels, labeling the creation of a detailed plan as an “ethical” answer to the global warming emergency.

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

This issue remains one of the most contentious matters at the UN climate summit in the host country, with nations split over whether and in what way such a strategy can be discussed. As the host, the nation has adopted a balanced position on which items can be placed on the formal schedule.

Silva expressed approval for the potential of a plan, without explicitly pledging the country to it. The minister stated: “When we have a situation that is very challenging, it is helpful that we have a map. But the guide does not force us to travel, or to advance.”

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

Scores of countries meeting in the host city for the UN climate summit, which is entering its next phase, are seeking to establish how a worldwide phaseout of oil, gas, and coal could work. These nations hope to advance a historic resolution made two years ago at COP28 to “transition away from fossil fuels.”

The commitment had no a schedule or specifics on how it could be realized, and although it was adopted by all, several nations have later attempted to back away from the promise. Attempts last year to expand on its practical implications were blocked by resistance from oil-dependent nations at another UN summit.

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

For these reasons, Brazil has been wary of calls by certain nations to include the phaseout on the schedule for the current summit. But the minister has strived behind the scenes to make sure the topic could be discussed at the summit outside the formal agenda.

The minister convinced Brazil’s leader, and he gave public reference 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 event.

“This is something that we know at some point had to be raised, because it is the sole way to face the issue from the source,” the minister explained. “We recognise that it is challenging, and we cannot offer unrealistic expectations. Bringing up the subject is courageous, and I wish [to see] this bravery from all, from producers and consumers.”

Brazil had not started the push for a phaseout, she clarified, because that had been initiated at COP28. Instead, it was enabling the discussions to occur in line with what certain countries desired. “We understand these subjects are sensitive. We will give the chance to talk about it,” the minister said.

There is not enough time at COP30 to draw up a detailed plan, a process Silva called could take a number of years because numerous nations faced complicated challenges around dependence on fossil fuels, or aimed to use the proceeds from selling fossil fuels to finance their economic growth.

“Brazil brings up the topic, because Brazil is simultaneously a producer and user,” the minister noted. “But Brazil is unique, because it, if it chooses to, does not have to rely on fossil fuels. We have to recognise that there are certain nations that depend on fossil fuels in their economies and lack simple solutions, and others where oil and gas are the basis of their economy.

“To be fair is to be fair to all, but the fundamental, primordial fairness is not being unjust to the planet, because it is our shared home.”

If the pledge receives sufficient support, COP30 could set up a platform in which the work of creating a roadmap to the phaseout could start.

The process 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 said. “Once we have criteria, a governance structure can be developed; after we have a strategy, and create safeguards to be able to establish confidence in the process, I believe that with these elements we can transform good ideas into steps that are clearer, and more concrete.”

It is uncertain that a proposal to begin drawing up a plan would win approval at the conference, even if it does not require the formal approval of the summit, which proceeds by unanimous agreement and can be disrupted by particular groups. Climate analysts have indicated they believe there could be backing for such a proposal from about 60 countries, but there are believed to be at least 40 against. There are 195 nations participating at the talks.

“Despite being the primary source of climate change, carbon-based energy are about the most contentious subject there is within the UN negotiations, so to see a sizable group of nations publicly supporting a path to achieving worldwide transition is in itself highly significant.”

“Put simply, there’s no route to a planet where warming remains below 1.5 degrees in which countries aren’t able to discuss ending fossil fuel use.”

“We require this language for actual in this discussion. It’s quite stupid that we talk about all topics but then when fossil fuels are the real challenge.”

Discussions carried on on Saturday on four unresolved issues that have still not been included into the official agenda: commerce, transparency, finance and how to address the shortfall between the emissions cuts countries have planned and those required to keep to the 1.5C warming limit.

A summit chair promised a “document” that would cover these issues, after discussions – which have been underway since the start of the week – were inconclusive. The official called on nations to adopt the “mutirão” attitude, referring to one of collaboration and constructive dialogue.

Progress on additional substantive issues – such as adaptation to the effects of the climate crisis, the just transition for those impacted by the transition to a green economic system and how to build institutional capacity in developing countries – proceeded constructively, the host reported.

The host nation's chief negotiator stated the detailed part of the summit process was nearing the end, and the political stage – when government leaders who have the power to alter their countries’ stances join – was starting.