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Brazil’s environment minister, the minister, has called on every country to demonstrate the courage needed to address the imperative of a global transition away from fossil fuels, labeling the creation of a roadmap as an “moral” response to the climate crisis.

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

This issue stands as one of the most contentious matters at the UN climate summit in Brazil, with countries divided over if and in what way such a roadmap can be addressed. As the host, the nation has adopted a balanced stance on what can be placed on the formal agenda.

The official voiced support for the possibility of a plan, without explicitly pledging Brazil to it. The minister stated: “In times we have a situation that is very challenging, it is helpful that we have a map. But the map does not force us to travel, or to climb.”

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

Dozens of countries gathered in Belém for the global climate conference, which is entering its second week, are aiming to determine how a global transition of fossil fuels could be implemented. They aim to advance a landmark resolution made two years ago at COP28 to “transition away from non-renewable energy sources.”

That commitment lacked a timetable or specifics on the way it could be achieved, and even though it was passed by all, several countries have since tried to disavow the promise. Efforts last year to expand on its real-world meaning were blocked by resistance from oil-dependent nations at COP29.

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

Because of this, Brazil has been cautious of calls by certain nations to include the phaseout on the agenda for COP30. But the minister has strived behind the scenes to ensure the pledge could be discussed at the conference outside the formal agenda.

The minister won over the nation's president, and he made public reference three times to the need to “move away from dependence on fossil fuels” 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 put forward, because it is the only way to face the problem from the source,” the minister explained. “We recognise that it is not easy, and we must not sell false hopes. Raising the subject is brave, and I wish [to see] this courage from all, from producing nations and consumers.”

Brazil had not initiated the push for a transition, she clarified, because that had been done at the earlier summit. Rather, it was allowing the discussions to occur in accordance with what certain nations wished. “We know these topics are delicate. We will give the chance to talk about it,” the minister said.

Time is insufficient at COP30 to draw up a detailed plan, a process Silva called could take several years because numerous countries faced complex challenges around reliance on fossil fuels, or wanted to use the revenue from exporting fossil fuels to fund their economic growth.

“Brazil raises the topic, because it is simultaneously a producing nation and consumer,” she noted. “But the nation is different, because it, if it wants to, need not depend on fossil fuels. We have to understand that there are certain nations that depend on carbon energy in their economies and lack easy solutions, and some where oil and gas are the foundation of their economic structure.

“To be just is to be just to all, but the fundamental, basic fairness is to avoid being unfair to the planet, because it is our shared home.”

Should the pledge gains enough support, COP30 could establish a forum in which the work of drawing up a strategy to the phaseout could start.

This process would involve discussions with all participating countries to the UN climate treaty and criteria for how the process would unfold, Silva explained. “Once we have criteria, a management framework can be drawn up; after we have a plan, and create safeguards to be able to establish trust in the system, I am confident that with these components we can transform good ideas into steps that are more defined, and more tangible.”

There is no guarantee that a proposal to begin developing a roadmap would be accepted at the conference, although it does not require the formal approval of the conference, which operates by consensus and can be disrupted by particular groups. Climate analysts have indicated they think there could be support for such a proposal from about 60 nations, but there are believed to be at least forty opposed. A total of one hundred ninety-five nations participating at the negotiations.

“In spite of being the root cause of global warming, carbon-based energy are about the most divisive topic there is within the UN negotiations, so to see a chunky coalition of nations openly supporting a route to realizing worldwide phaseout is in itself highly significant.”

“In simple terms, there’s no path to a planet where temperature rise remains below 1.5 degrees in which nations aren’t able to discuss ending fossil fuel use.”

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

Discussions carried on on Saturday on four unresolved issues that have not yet been included into the official schedule: trade, transparency, finance and how to tackle the gap between the carbon reduction countries have proposed and those required to hold to the 1.5-degree warming limit.

A COP30 president promised a “note” that would address these issues, after discussions – which have been going on since the start of the week – were inconclusive. He urged countries to embrace the “mutirão” attitude, meaning one of cooperation and positive discussion.

Work on additional key topics – such as adjustment to the effects of the climate emergency, the fair shift for those impacted by the move to a green economic system and how to strengthen governance capabilities in developing countries – carried on constructively, the presidency said.

The host nation's chief negotiator said the detailed phase of the COP proceedings was nearing completion, and the political stage – when government leaders who have the power to change their countries’ positions arrive – was beginning.