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The climate chief, the minister, has urged all nations to demonstrate the bravery needed to address the necessity of a global transition away from fossil fuels, describing the development of a roadmap as an “ethical” response to the global warming emergency.

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

The topic remains one of the most debated subjects at the COP30 in Brazil, with nations split 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 agenda.

The official expressed support for the possibility of a plan, without explicitly committing Brazil to it. She stated: “When we have a situation that is very challenging, it is helpful that we have a guide. But the map does not compel us to travel, or to advance.”

Speaking further, she added: “The map is an response to our scientific understanding [of the climate crisis]. It is an moral response.”

Scores of nations meeting in the host city for the UN climate summit, which is entering its second week, are seeking to determine how a global phaseout of fossil fuels could work. These nations hope to build on a landmark agreement reached two years ago at a previous UN summit to “move away from non-renewable energy sources.”

That commitment had no a schedule or details on the way it could be achieved, and even though it was passed by all, several countries have since tried to disavow the pledge. Efforts last year to elaborate on its real-world implications were stymied by opposition from petrostates at another UN summit.

Consequently, there was no mention of the transition away from carbon fuels in the final agreement of COP29.

Because of this, Brazil has been cautious of demands by some countries to place the phaseout on the schedule for COP30. But Silva has strived in private to make sure the topic could be talked about at the conference outside the formal program.

The minister convinced Brazil’s president, who made public reference repeatedly to the need to “shift from dependence on fossil fuels” at the summit of world leaders that preceded 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 problem from the root,” Marina Silva explained. “We recognise that it is challenging, and we must not sell false hopes. Raising the subject is courageous, and I hope [to see] this bravery from all, from producing nations and consumers.”

The nation had not initiated the call for a phaseout, the minister said, because that had been initiated at COP28. Instead, it was enabling the talks to occur in accordance with what some nations wished. “We understand these subjects are sensitive. We will provide the chance to discuss it,” the minister added.

There is not enough time at COP30 to draw up a detailed plan, a process Silva said could take a number of years because many nations confronted complicated issues around dependence on carbon-based energy, or wanted to use the revenue from exporting oil and gas to fund their economic growth.

“The country raises the topic, because Brazil is simultaneously a producer and consumer,” she noted. “But Brazil is unique, because it, if it chooses to, need not depend on fossil fuels. We have to recognise that there are some that rely on fossil fuels in their economies and don’t have simple solutions, and some where fossil fuels are the basis of their economic structure.

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

Should the proposal gains enough support, COP30 could establish a forum in which the process of creating a roadmap to the phaseout could start.

The endeavor would involve discussions with all signatory countries to the UN climate treaty and criteria for how the process would proceed, the minister said. “Once we have standards, a governance structure can be drawn up; after we have a plan, and establish safeguards to be able to establish confidence in the system, I believe that with these components we can turn good ideas into actions that are more defined, and more tangible.”

There is no guarantee that a suggestion to start drawing up a plan would win approval at the conference, although it may not need the formal approval of the summit, which proceeds by consensus and can be hijacked by special interests. Climate analysts have indicated they believe there could be support for such a proposal from about sixty countries, but there are thought to be at least 40 opposed. A total of one hundred ninety-five countries participating at the talks.

“Despite being the primary source of global warming, carbon-based energy are about the most contentious topic there is within the UN negotiations, so to see a sizable coalition of countries publicly supporting a path to realizing worldwide transition is in itself pretty groundbreaking.”

“In simple terms, there’s no route to a planet where temperature rise remains below 1.5 degrees in which countries cannot to discuss ending fossil fuel use.”

“We need this wording for actual in this discussion. It’s highly illogical that we discuss everything but then when fossil fuels are the actual challenge.”

Discussions carried on on the weekend on several unresolved issues that have still not been included into the official schedule: trade, transparency, funding and how to tackle the gap between the emissions cuts countries have proposed and those needed to keep to the 1.5C warming target.

A summit president promised a “document” that would address these matters, after discussions – which have been going on since the start of the week – were unresolved. The official urged nations to adopt the “mutirão” attitude, referring to one of collaboration and constructive discussion.

Progress on other key issues – such as adjustment to the effects of the climate crisis, the just transition for those affected by the move to a low-carbon economy and how to build governance capabilities in developing countries – proceeded productively, the host reported.

Brazil’s chief negotiator said the detailed part of the COP proceedings was nearing the end, and the high-level stage – when ministers who have the authority to change their countries’ positions arrive – was starting.