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Brazil’s climate chief, Marina Silva, has called on all nations to show the courage needed to address the necessity of a global transition away from fossil fuels, describing the development of a detailed plan as an “moral” answer to the climate crisis.

The minister emphasized, though, that participation in this endeavor would be optional and “self-determined” for willing governments.

This issue remains one of the most contentious subjects at the UN climate summit in Brazil, with countries divided over if and how such a roadmap can be addressed. As the host, the nation has maintained a balanced position on which items can be included on the official schedule.

The official expressed support for the potential of a roadmap, though not explicitly pledging Brazil to it. The minister stated: “In times we have a terrain that is very challenging, it is helpful that we have a guide. But the map does not compel us to travel, or to climb.”

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

Scores of countries gathered in Belém for the global climate conference, which is starting its next phase, are seeking to determine how a worldwide transition of oil, gas, and coal could be implemented. They hope to advance a landmark resolution reached two years ago at a previous UN summit to “transition away from non-renewable energy sources.”

The commitment lacked a schedule or specifics on how it could be realized, and even though it was adopted by all, several countries have since attempted to back away from the promise. Attempts last year to expand on its real-world implications were blocked by opposition from oil-dependent nations at COP29.

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

For these reasons, the host has been cautious of demands by some nations to place the phaseout on the schedule for COP30. But the minister has worked hard behind the scenes to make sure the topic could be talked about at the summit apart from the formal program.

The minister won over the nation's president, who gave public reference three times to the need to “move away from dependence on traditional energy” at the global leaders' meeting that preceded COP30, and at the opening of the event.

“The issue is something that we understand at a certain time had to be raised, because it is the only way to face the problem from the source,” Marina Silva said. “We recognise that it is challenging, and we must not offer false hopes. Raising the topic is brave, and I wish [to see] this bravery from everyone, from producing nations and using countries.”

The nation had not initiated the call for a phaseout, she clarified, because that had been initiated at COP28. Rather, it was enabling the discussions to take place in accordance with what certain nations wished. “We understand these subjects are sensitive. We will give the opportunity to talk about it,” the minister added.

There is not enough time at the summit to draw up a detailed plan, a process the minister said could take a number of years because numerous countries faced complex challenges around dependence on fossil fuels, or wanted to use the revenue from selling oil and gas to fund their development.

“Brazil brings up the subject, because it is simultaneously a producer and user,” the minister said. “But Brazil is different, because it, if it chooses to, does not have to depend on fossil fuels. We have to recognise that there are certain nations that rely on carbon energy in their economic systems and don’t have easy solutions, and some where oil and gas are the basis of their economic structure.

“To be fair is to be fair to everyone, but the fundamental, basic justice is not being unfair to the Earth, because it is our shared home.”

If the pledge receives sufficient support, COP30 could establish a platform in which the work of creating a roadmap to the transition could begin.

The endeavor would involve discussions with every signatory countries to the UN climate treaty and criteria for how the initiative would unfold, Silva explained. “After we have criteria, a governance structure can be developed; once we have a plan, and establish safeguards to be able to establish confidence in the system, I believe that with these elements we can turn positive concepts into steps that are clearer, and more tangible.”

There is no guarantee that a proposal to begin developing a roadmap would win approval at COP30, although it may not need the official consent of the summit, which operates by unanimous agreement and can be hijacked by special interests. COP experts have suggested they believe there could be backing for such a idea from about sixty countries, but there are thought to be at least 40 opposed. There are 195 countries represented at the negotiations.

“In spite of being the primary source of climate change, fossil fuels are about the most divisive topic there is within the international climate talks, so to see a chunky coalition of nations openly supporting a path to realizing worldwide phaseout is in itself pretty groundbreaking.”

“Put simply, there’s no path to a planet where warming stays below 1.5 degrees in which countries aren’t able to talk about fossil fuel phaseout.”

“We need this wording for actual in this discussion. It’s quite stupid that we talk about everything but then when fossil fuels are the actual challenge.”

Discussions carried on on the weekend on several outstanding issues that have not yet been included into the formal agenda: commerce, transparency, funding and how to tackle the gap between the emissions cuts countries have planned and those required to keep to the 1.5-degree temperature target.

A summit president pledged a “note” that would cover these issues, after consultations – which have been going on since the start of the week – were unresolved. He urged countries to adopt the “mutirão” attitude, meaning one of collaboration and constructive discussion.

Work 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 economy and how to build institutional capacity in developing countries – carried on constructively, the presidency reported.

The host nation's chief negotiator stated the technical phase of the COP process was nearing completion, and the high-level stage – when ministers who have the authority to change their countries’ stances join – was beginning.