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Brazil’s environment minister, Marina Silva, has called on every country to show the bravery needed to address the necessity of a worldwide transition away from fossil fuels, describing the creation of a roadmap as an “ethical” answer to the climate crisis.

The minister stressed, though, that participation in this process would be voluntary and “self-determined” for willing nations.

This issue remains one of the most debated matters at the COP30 in the host country, with countries divided over whether and in what way such a strategy can be discussed. Hosting the event, Brazil has maintained a carefully neutral stance on what can be placed on the formal agenda.

The official expressed support for the potential of a plan, though not explicitly pledging the country to it. The minister stated: “When we have a situation that is quite grim, it is good that we have a guide. But the map does not compel us to travel, or to climb.”

In an interview, the minister noted: “The roadmap is an response to our scientific knowledge [of the climate crisis]. It is an moral answer.”

Scores of nations gathered in Belém for the UN climate summit, which is starting its next phase, are aiming to establish how a worldwide transition of oil, gas, and coal could be implemented. They aim to advance a landmark resolution made two years ago at COP28 to “move away from non-renewable energy sources.”

The pledge had no a schedule or specifics on the way it could be realized, and although it was passed by all, several countries have later attempted to disavow the promise. Efforts last year to elaborate on its real-world implications were stymied by resistance from petrostates at COP29.

As a result, there was no reference of the shift away from fossil fuels in the outcome of COP29.

For these reasons, Brazil has been cautious of calls by some nations to place the transition on the agenda for the current summit. But the minister has worked hard in private to make sure the pledge could be discussed at the conference apart from the official program.

The minister convinced the nation's president, who gave public reference three times to the need to “shift from reliance on fossil fuels” at the summit of world leaders that preceded COP30, and at the start of the summit.

“The issue is a matter that we know at a certain time had to be raised, because it is the sole way to face the problem from the root,” the minister said. “We recognise that it is challenging, and we cannot offer false hopes. Bringing up the topic is courageous, and I hope [to see] this bravery from all, from producers and consumers.”

The nation had not initiated the call for a transition, the minister clarified, because that had been initiated at the earlier summit. Instead, it was enabling the discussions to occur in accordance with what some nations wished. “We know these topics are delicate. We will give 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 nations confronted complicated issues around dependence on carbon-based energy, or wanted to use the revenue from selling oil and gas to fund their development.

“Brazil raises the topic, because Brazil is both a producing nation and consumer,” the minister noted. “But Brazil is unique, because Brazil, if it wants to, need not depend on non-renewables. We have to recognise that there are some that rely on fossil fuels in their economies and don’t have easy solutions, and others where oil and gas are the basis of their economic structure.

“To be just is to be fair to all, but the essential, primordial justice is to avoid being unfair to the Earth, because it is our home.”

If the proposal receives sufficient backing, the summit could set up a forum in which the work of drawing up a strategy to the transition could start.

The endeavor would require discussions with every signatory nations to the UN framework convention on climate change and guidelines for how the process would unfold, the minister explained. “After we have standards, a governance structure can be developed; once we have a strategy, and establish protections to be able to establish confidence in the process, I believe that with these elements we can turn good ideas into actions that are clearer, and more tangible.”

It is uncertain that a suggestion to start drawing up a plan would be accepted at the conference, although it may not need the formal consent of the conference, which proceeds by unanimous agreement and can be hijacked by particular groups. Climate experts have suggested they believe there could be support for such a proposal from about sixty countries, but there are thought to be at least forty opposed. A total of one hundred ninety-five countries participating at the talks.

“In spite of being the primary source of global warming, fossil fuels are about the most divisive subject there is within the international climate talks, so to see a chunky coalition of nations publicly supporting a route to achieving global phaseout is in itself pretty groundbreaking.”

“Put simply, there’s no route to a planet where warming stays below 1.5 degrees in which countries cannot to talk about ending fossil fuel use.”

“We need this language for actual in this discussion. It’s quite stupid that we discuss all topics but then when fossil fuels are the real challenge.”

Negotiations carried on on Saturday on several unresolved issues that have not yet been included into the official agenda: commerce, transparency, finance and how to tackle the shortfall between the emissions cuts nations have planned and those needed to hold to the 1.5C warming limit.

A summit president pledged a “note” that would cover these matters, after discussions – which have been going on since the start of the week – were inconclusive. He urged nations to embrace the “mutirão” spirit, meaning one of collaboration and positive discussion.

Progress on other substantive issues – such as adaptation to the impacts of the climate emergency, the just transition for those impacted by the transition to a green economic system and how to strengthen institutional capacity in less developed nations – proceeded productively, the presidency said.

Brazil’s chief negotiator stated the technical part of the summit proceedings was nearing the end, and the political stage – when ministers who have the power to alter their countries’ stances arrive – was beginning.