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Brazil’s environment minister, the minister, has urged every country to show the bravery needed to address the necessity of a global fossil fuel phaseout, describing the development of a roadmap as an “moral” response to the climate crisis.

The minister emphasized, though, that involvement in this process would be voluntary and “independently decided” for interested governments.

The topic stands as one of the most contentious matters at the COP30 in Brazil, with nations divided over if and in what way such a roadmap can be addressed. As the host, Brazil has maintained a carefully neutral position on what can be included on the official schedule.

The official voiced support for the possibility of a roadmap, though not explicitly pledging Brazil to it. She remarked: “In times we have a situation that is quite grim, it is good that we have a map. But the guide does not compel us to proceed, or to climb.”

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

Dozens of countries meeting in the host city for the global climate conference, which is entering its next phase, are aiming to determine how a worldwide phaseout of oil, gas, and coal could work. They aim to build on a landmark agreement made two years ago at a previous UN summit to “move away from fossil fuels.”

The pledge had no a schedule or details on how it could be realized, and even though it was passed by all, several nations have since attempted to disavow the pledge. Attempts last year to elaborate on its practical meaning were blocked by opposition from oil-dependent nations at another UN summit.

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

Because of this, the host has been wary of demands by certain countries to place the transition on the agenda for COP30. But the minister has strived in private to ensure the pledge could be talked about at the conference outside the formal program.

She won over Brazil’s leader, who gave mention repeatedly to the need to “move away from reliance on traditional energy” at the global leaders' meeting that came before COP30, and at the start of the summit.

“This is something that we understand at some point had to be put forward, because it is the sole way to address 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 courage from all, from producers and consumers.”

Brazil had not initiated the push for a transition, the minister clarified, because that had been initiated at the earlier summit. Instead, it was enabling the talks to take place in line with what certain nations wished. “We know these subjects are delicate. We will give the chance to talk about it,” she said.

There is not enough time at the summit to draw up a detailed plan, a task Silva called could take a number of years because many nations faced complicated issues around reliance on carbon-based energy, or wanted to use the proceeds from selling fossil fuels to finance their economic growth.

“Brazil raises the subject, because Brazil is simultaneously a producer and consumer,” the minister said. “But Brazil is unique, because it, if it chooses to, need not rely on non-renewables. We have to recognise that there are some that depend on fossil fuels in their economies and lack easy alternatives, and others where oil and gas are the basis 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.”

Should the proposal receives sufficient support, COP30 could set up a platform in which the process of drawing up a roadmap to the transition could begin.

The endeavor would require dialogue with all participating countries to the UN climate treaty and guidelines for how the initiative would unfold, the minister said. “After we have criteria, a governance structure can be developed; once we have a plan, and create protections to be able to establish confidence in the system, I believe that with these elements we can turn positive concepts into steps that are more defined, and more concrete.”

There is no guarantee that a proposal to begin developing a plan would be accepted at the conference, although it may not need the official consent of the summit, which operates by unanimous agreement and can be disrupted by special interests. Climate analysts have indicated they believe there could be backing for such a idea from about 60 nations, but there are thought to be at least forty against. A total of 195 nations represented at the negotiations.

“Despite being the primary source of climate change, carbon-based energy are about the most divisive topic there is within the UN negotiations, so to see a sizable coalition of countries publicly supporting a route 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 countries aren’t able to discuss fossil fuel phaseout.”

“We require this wording for real in this discussion. It’s quite stupid that we discuss everything but then when the main issue are the actual problem.”

Negotiations carried on on the weekend on four unresolved topics that have still not been incorporated into the formal agenda: trade, openness, finance and how to tackle the shortfall between the emissions cuts nations have proposed and those needed to hold to the 1.5C temperature limit.

The COP30 chair pledged a “note” that would address these issues, after discussions – which have been underway since Monday – were unresolved. He urged countries to embrace the “mutirão” attitude, referring to one of cooperation and constructive dialogue.

Progress on additional substantive topics – including adjustment to the impacts of the climate emergency, the just transition for those affected by the transition to a low-carbon economy and how to build governance capabilities in developing countries – carried on productively, the presidency reported.

The host nation's lead representative said the detailed part of the COP proceedings was approaching completion, and the political phase – when ministers who have the authority to change their countries’ positions join – was starting.