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Brazil’s environment minister, the minister, has urged every country to show the courage needed to confront the imperative of a worldwide transition away from fossil fuels, describing the development of a detailed plan as an “moral” response to the global warming emergency.

She emphasized, though, that involvement in this endeavor would be optional and “self-determined” for willing nations.

The topic remains one of the most debated subjects at the UN climate summit in Brazil, with nations divided over if and in what way such a strategy can be discussed. As the host, the nation has maintained a carefully neutral position on which items can be included on the official agenda.

Silva voiced approval for the potential of a plan, without directly committing the country to it. She stated: “In times we have a terrain that is quite grim, it is good that we have a guide. But the guide does not compel us to proceed, or to advance.”

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

Scores of countries gathered in the host city for the UN climate summit, which is entering its second week, are seeking to determine how a global transition of fossil fuels could be implemented. These nations aim to advance a landmark agreement reached two years ago at a previous UN summit to “move away from fossil fuels.”

The commitment lacked a schedule or specifics on how it could be realized, and even though it was passed by all, several countries have since tried to back away from the promise. 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 transition away from fossil fuels in the final agreement of that conference.

For these reasons, Brazil has been cautious of demands by some countries to place the phaseout on the schedule for the current summit. But Silva has strived in private to make sure the pledge could be talked about at the summit apart from the formal program.

She won over the nation's leader, and he made public reference repeatedly to the need to “shift from reliance on traditional energy” at the summit of world leaders that came before the conference, and at the opening of the summit.

“The issue is a matter that we understand at some point had to be put forward, because it is the sole way to face the problem from the root,” Marina Silva explained. “We acknowledge that it is challenging, and we cannot offer unrealistic expectations. Raising the subject is courageous, and I hope [to see] this courage from all, from producers and consumers.”

Brazil had not started the call for a phaseout, she clarified, because that had been done at the earlier summit. Rather, it was enabling the discussions to take place in line with what certain countries desired. “We understand these topics are sensitive. We will give the opportunity to discuss it,” the minister said.

There is not enough time at COP30 to create a roadmap, a process the minister said could take several years because numerous countries confronted complicated issues around reliance on carbon-based energy, or wanted to use the proceeds from exporting oil and gas to finance their economic growth.

“Brazil raises the subject, because Brazil is both a producing nation and user,” she noted. “But the nation is different, because it, if it wants to, does not have to rely on non-renewables. We have to recognise that there are some that rely on fossil fuels in their economic systems and lack simple solutions, and others where oil and gas are the basis of their economy.

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

If the pledge receives enough backing, the summit could set up a platform in which the work of drawing up a strategy to the phaseout could begin.

The endeavor would require discussions with all signatory nations to the UN climate treaty and criteria for how the process would unfold, the minister explained. “After we have standards, a governance structure can be drawn up; after we have a strategy, and create safeguards to be able to establish trust in the system, I believe that with these elements we can turn positive concepts into actions that are clearer, and more tangible.”

It is uncertain that a proposal to begin developing a roadmap would win approval at COP30, although it may not need the formal consent of the conference, which operates by consensus and can be disrupted by particular groups. COP 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 40 against. A total of one hundred ninety-five countries represented at the talks.

“Despite being the root cause of global warming, fossil fuels are about the most contentious subject there is within the international climate talks, so to see a sizable coalition of countries publicly backing a route to achieving worldwide transition is in itself highly significant.”

“In simple terms, there’s no path to a world where warming remains below 1.5 degrees in which nations cannot to talk about ending fossil fuel use.”

“We need this language for actual in this conversation. It’s quite stupid that we talk about everything but then when the main issue are the actual challenge.”

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

A summit chair pledged a “note” that would address these issues, after consultations – which have been underway since the start of the week – were unresolved. He urged nations to adopt the “mutirão” attitude, referring to one of collaboration and constructive dialogue.

Progress on other key issues – including adaptation to the impacts of the climate crisis, the just transition for those affected by the move to a green economy and how to strengthen governance capabilities in less developed nations – carried on constructively, the presidency reported.

Brazil’s lead representative said the technical phase of the COP process was approaching completion, and the political stage – when ministers who have the authority to alter their nations' stances join – was starting.