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Brazil’s environment minister, the minister, has called on all nations to demonstrate the bravery needed to confront the necessity of a worldwide transition away from fossil fuels, describing the development of a roadmap as an “moral” answer to the climate crisis.

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

This issue stands as one of the most debated subjects at the UN climate summit in the host country, with nations divided over whether and in what way such a strategy can be discussed. As the host, Brazil has adopted a balanced position on what can be included on the official agenda.

The official voiced approval for the possibility of a roadmap, though not explicitly pledging the country to it. The minister remarked: “In times we have a terrain that is very challenging, it is helpful that we have a map. But the guide does not force 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.”

Dozens of nations meeting in Belém for the global climate conference, which is starting its next phase, are aiming to determine how a worldwide transition of fossil fuels could be implemented. They aim to advance a landmark resolution made two years ago at COP28 to “move away from fossil fuels.”

That pledge had no a timetable or specifics on the way it could be achieved, and although it was passed unanimously, some nations have later attempted to back away from the pledge. Attempts last year to elaborate on its practical implications were stymied by opposition from petrostates at COP29.

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

Because of this, the host has been cautious of demands by certain countries to place the transition on the agenda for the current summit. But the minister has strived in private to make sure the pledge could be talked about at the summit apart from the official program.

She won over the nation's leader, and he gave mention three times to the need to “shift from reliance on fossil fuels” at the global leaders' meeting that came before the conference, and at the start of the event.

“This is something that we understand at some point had to be raised, because it is the only way to address the problem from the source,” the minister explained. “We acknowledge that it is not easy, and we cannot offer false hopes. Raising the subject is brave, and I wish [to see] this bravery from all, from producing nations and using countries.”

Brazil had not started the call for a transition, she clarified, because that had been done at the earlier summit. Instead, it was enabling the discussions to take place in accordance with what certain countries desired. “We understand these subjects are delicate. We will give the opportunity to talk about it,” the minister said.

There is not enough time at COP30 to draw up a detailed plan, a task Silva said could take a number of years because many nations faced complex issues around reliance on fossil fuels, or wanted to use the revenue from selling fossil fuels to fund their economic growth.

“Brazil raises the subject, because Brazil is both a producing nation and user,” she said. “But the nation is unique, because it, if it chooses to, need not rely on non-renewables. We have to recognise that there are some that rely on carbon energy in their economies and don’t have simple alternatives, and others where fossil fuels are the foundation of their economy.

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

If the proposal gains enough backing, the summit could establish a platform in which the process of creating a roadmap to the phaseout could start.

The process would require dialogue with every participating nations to the UN framework convention on climate change and criteria for how the process would proceed, the minister explained. “Once we have standards, a management framework can be drawn up; after we have a strategy, and create safeguards to be able to build trust in the process, I am confident that with these elements we can turn positive concepts into steps that are clearer, and more concrete.”

There is no guarantee that a proposal to begin developing a roadmap would be accepted at COP30, even if it does not require the official approval of the summit, which proceeds by unanimous agreement and can be disrupted by particular groups. Climate analysts have suggested they think there could be backing for such a idea from about sixty nations, but there are thought to be at least forty against. There are 195 nations participating at the talks.

“Despite being the root cause of global warming, carbon-based energy are about the most contentious subject there is within the international climate talks, so to see a chunky coalition of nations publicly backing a route to achieving worldwide transition is in itself pretty groundbreaking.”

“Put simply, there’s no route to a planet where temperature rise stays below 1.5C in which nations aren’t able to discuss ending fossil fuel use.”

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

Negotiations carried on on Saturday on four outstanding topics that have still not been incorporated into the official schedule: trade, openness, funding and how to address the gap between the emissions cuts countries have planned and those required to keep to the 1.5-degree warming limit.

A COP30 chair promised a “document” that would cover these issues, after discussions – which have been underway since the start of the week – were unresolved. He urged countries to embrace the “mutirão” attitude, meaning one of cooperation and positive dialogue.

Work on other substantive topics – such as adaptation to the impacts of the climate crisis, the just transition for those affected by the transition to a green economic system and how to strengthen institutional capacity in less developed nations – carried on productively, the host said.

Brazil’s chief negotiator stated the detailed part of the COP proceedings was nearing completion, and the high-level phase – when ministers who have the power to alter their nations' stances join – was starting.