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Brazil’s environment minister, Marina Silva, has called on every country to demonstrate the bravery needed to confront the imperative of a worldwide transition away from fossil fuels, labeling the development of a detailed plan as an “moral” response to the global warming emergency.

She stressed, though, that participation in this endeavor would be optional and “independently decided” for willing governments.

The topic stands as one of the most debated subjects at the COP30 in the host country, with nations divided over whether and in what way such a strategy can be discussed. Hosting the event, Brazil has adopted a carefully neutral stance on which items can be placed on the formal agenda.

Silva expressed support for the possibility of a plan, though not explicitly committing Brazil to it. She remarked: “When we have a terrain that is very challenging, it is good that we have a map. But the map does not force us to proceed, or to climb.”

Speaking further, she noted: “The roadmap is an response to our scientific knowledge [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 global phaseout of oil, gas, and coal could work. They hope to advance a landmark agreement made two years ago at a previous UN summit to “move away from fossil fuels.”

That pledge lacked a schedule or details on the way it could be achieved, and although it was passed by all, several nations have since tried to back away from the promise. Attempts last year to elaborate on its practical implications were blocked by resistance from petrostates at COP29.

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

For these reasons, Brazil has been cautious of demands by certain nations to place the transition on the schedule for the current summit. But the minister has strived in private to ensure the pledge could be talked about at the summit outside the official program.

She convinced the nation's president, who made public reference three times to the need to “shift from dependence on fossil fuels” at the global leaders' meeting that came before the conference, and at the start of the summit.

“This is a matter that we know at a certain time had to be put forward, because it is the sole way to face the problem from the root,” Marina Silva explained. “We recognise that it is not easy, and we must not sell false hopes. Bringing up the topic is courageous, and I hope [to see] this courage from all, from producers and using countries.”

The nation had not started the call for a phaseout, the minister said, because that had been initiated at COP28. Rather, it was enabling the talks to take place in line with what some countries wished. “We understand these topics are delicate. We will provide the opportunity to discuss it,” the minister said.

There is not enough time at COP30 to draw up a roadmap, a process Silva said could take several years because numerous countries confronted complex challenges around reliance on carbon-based energy, or wanted to use the proceeds from exporting fossil fuels to fund their economic growth.

“Brazil brings up the topic, because Brazil is simultaneously a producing nation and user,” she said. “But the nation is different, because it, if it chooses to, does not have to depend on non-renewables. We have to recognise that there are certain nations that rely on carbon energy in their economies and lack easy solutions, and others where fossil fuels are the foundation of their economic structure.

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

Should the pledge gains sufficient backing, COP30 could establish a platform in which the process of creating a roadmap to the transition could start.

The endeavor would involve dialogue with all signatory countries to the UN climate treaty and criteria for how the process would unfold, the minister said. “Once we have standards, a governance structure can be developed; after we have a strategy, and create protections to be able to establish confidence in the system, I am confident that with these components we can turn positive concepts into steps that are clearer, and more concrete.”

It is uncertain that a proposal to begin drawing up a plan would be accepted at the conference, even if it does not require the official approval of the summit, which operates by unanimous agreement and can be hijacked by special interests. COP experts have indicated they think there could be support for such a idea from about 60 nations, but there are thought to be at least 40 opposed. A total of one hundred ninety-five countries participating at the negotiations.

“In spite of being the root cause of climate change, carbon-based energy are about the most divisive subject there is within the UN negotiations, so to see a chunky group of nations openly supporting a route to achieving worldwide transition is in itself highly significant.”

“In simple terms, there’s no route to a planet where warming stays below 1.5C in which countries cannot to discuss fossil fuel phaseout.”

“We require this language for actual in this conversation. It’s highly illogical that we talk about all topics but that when the main issue are the actual challenge.”

Discussions continued on the weekend on four outstanding issues that have not yet been incorporated into the formal schedule: commerce, transparency, finance and how to address the gap between the carbon reduction nations have proposed and those required to keep to the 1.5C temperature target.

The summit chair pledged a “note” that would address these issues, after discussions – which have been underway since Monday – were unresolved. The official urged countries to adopt the “mutirão” spirit, meaning one of cooperation and constructive discussion.

Work on additional key issues – including adjustment to the effects of the climate crisis, the fair shift for those impacted by the transition to a low-carbon economic system and how to strengthen governance capabilities in developing countries – proceeded productively, the host reported.

The host nation's lead representative stated the technical part of the summit process was approaching the end, and the high-level stage – when ministers who have the power to alter their nations' stances arrive – was starting.