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The environment minister, Marina Silva, has called on every country to demonstrate the bravery needed to confront the necessity of a worldwide transition away from fossil fuels, labeling the creation of a roadmap as an “moral” response to the global warming emergency.

The minister stressed, though, that involvement in this endeavor would be optional and “independently decided” for interested governments.

This issue remains one of the most debated matters at the COP30 in the host country, with countries split over if and in what way such a strategy can be discussed. As the host, Brazil has maintained a balanced position on what can be included on the formal schedule.

Silva voiced support for the potential of a roadmap, without directly pledging Brazil to it. She stated: “When we have a terrain that is very challenging, it is helpful that we have a map. But the map does not force us to travel, or to advance.”

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

Scores of countries meeting in Belém for the global climate conference, which is starting its next phase, are seeking to determine how a global transition of fossil fuels could work. These nations aim to build on a landmark agreement made two years ago at a previous UN summit to “transition away from fossil fuels.”

That commitment lacked a schedule or specifics on how it could be achieved, and although it was passed by all, some countries have since attempted to disavow the promise. Attempts last year to expand on its real-world meaning were stymied by opposition from oil-dependent nations at another UN summit.

As a result, there was no mention of the shift away from carbon fuels in the final agreement of COP29.

Because of this, the host has been cautious of calls by some countries to include the phaseout on the agenda for the current summit. But Silva has worked hard behind the scenes to ensure the topic could be talked about at the summit apart from the formal program.

The minister convinced Brazil’s president, who gave public reference three times to the need to “shift from reliance on traditional energy” at the global leaders' meeting that preceded the conference, and at the start of the event.

“The issue is something that we understand at a certain time had to be raised, because it is the sole way to face the issue from the root,” the minister explained. “We recognise that it is challenging, and we cannot sell unrealistic expectations. Raising the subject is courageous, and I hope [to see] this courage from everyone, from producing nations and consumers.”

The nation had not initiated the call for a transition, the minister clarified, because that had been initiated at the earlier summit. Rather, it was enabling the talks to take place in line with what some nations desired. “We know these subjects are sensitive. We will provide the chance to discuss 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 many countries confronted complicated issues around reliance on fossil fuels, or wanted to use the proceeds from selling oil and gas to finance their development.

“The country brings up the subject, because it is simultaneously a producing nation and user,” she noted. “But the nation is unique, because Brazil, if it wants to, need not depend on non-renewables. We have to understand that there are some that rely on fossil fuels in their economic systems and lack simple alternatives, and some where fossil fuels are the foundation of their economy.

“To be just is to be just to everyone, but the essential, basic fairness is not being unjust to the Earth, because it is our shared home.”

If the pledge receives sufficient support, COP30 could establish a platform in which the process of drawing up a strategy to the phaseout could start.

The process would involve dialogue with every signatory countries to the UN framework convention on climate change and guidelines for how the process would unfold, the minister said. “After we have standards, a governance structure can be drawn up; after we have a plan, and establish protections to be able to establish trust in the system, I believe that with these components we can turn good ideas into steps that are clearer, and more tangible.”

It is uncertain that a proposal to begin developing a plan would be accepted at COP30, even if it does not require the official consent of the conference, which proceeds by consensus and can be disrupted by particular groups. Climate experts have suggested they think there could be backing for such a idea from about 60 countries, but there are believed to be at least 40 opposed. There are 195 nations participating at the talks.

“Despite being the root cause of global warming, fossil fuels are about the most divisive topic there is within the international climate talks, so to see a chunky group of countries openly supporting a path to achieving worldwide phaseout is in itself highly significant.”

“In simple terms, there’s no route to a planet where temperature rise remains below 1.5 degrees in which nations cannot to talk about fossil fuel phaseout.”

“We need this wording for actual in this conversation. It’s highly illogical that we talk about all topics but that when fossil fuels are the actual challenge.”

Negotiations carried on on the weekend on several unresolved issues that have still not been incorporated into the official agenda: trade, openness, finance and how to address the shortfall between the emissions cuts nations have planned and those needed to hold to the 1.5-degree warming limit.

The summit president pledged a “document” that would address these issues, after consultations – which have been underway since Monday – were inconclusive. The official called on countries to adopt the “mutirão” spirit, referring to one of cooperation and constructive dialogue.

Progress on other key topics – such as adjustment to the effects of the climate crisis, the fair shift for those affected by the move to a low-carbon economy and how to build governance capabilities in developing countries – proceeded constructively, the host said.

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