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The environment minister, the minister, has urged every country to demonstrate the courage needed to address the imperative of a worldwide transition away from fossil fuels, describing the development of a roadmap as an “ethical” response to the global warming emergency.

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

The topic stands as one of the most debated subjects at the COP30 in the host country, with countries split over if and in what way such a roadmap can be addressed. As the host, Brazil has maintained a balanced stance on which items can be included on the formal schedule.

The official voiced support for the potential of a roadmap, without directly committing the country to it. The minister stated: “In times we have a situation that is very challenging, it is good that we have a map. But the map does not compel 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 moral response.”

Scores of nations meeting in Belém for the global climate conference, which is entering its next phase, are seeking to establish how a global phaseout of fossil fuels could be implemented. These nations aim to build on a landmark resolution reached two years ago at COP28 to “move away from non-renewable energy sources.”

That commitment had no a schedule or specifics on the way it could be achieved, and even though it was passed by all, some countries have since attempted to back away from the promise. Efforts last year to elaborate on its real-world meaning were stymied by opposition from oil-dependent nations at another UN summit.

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

Because of this, the host has been cautious of calls by some nations to place the phaseout on the schedule for the current summit. But Silva has worked hard in private to ensure the pledge could be discussed at the summit outside the official agenda.

The minister won over the nation's leader, and he gave mention three times to the need to “move away from reliance on traditional energy” at the summit of world leaders that came before 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 only way to face the problem from the root,” the minister explained. “We acknowledge that it is challenging, and we cannot offer unrealistic expectations. Bringing up the subject is brave, and I wish [to see] this courage from all, from producers and using countries.”

The nation had not initiated the push for a phaseout, she said, because that had been done at COP28. Rather, it was enabling the discussions to occur in accordance with what some nations wished. “We understand these topics are sensitive. We will provide the opportunity to discuss it,” she added.

There is not enough time at the summit to draw up a detailed plan, a process the minister called could take a number of years because many nations confronted complex challenges around dependence on carbon-based energy, or wanted to use the proceeds from selling fossil fuels to finance their development.

“The country brings up the topic, because Brazil is both a producing nation and consumer,” the minister noted. “But Brazil is unique, because Brazil, if it wants to, does not have to depend on non-renewables. We have to recognise that there are certain nations that depend on fossil fuels in their economic systems and don’t have simple solutions, and others where fossil fuels are the basis of their economic structure.

“To be fair is to be just to all, but the fundamental, basic justice is not being unfair to the planet, because it is our shared home.”

Should the proposal gains sufficient support, COP30 could establish a platform in which the process of creating a roadmap to the transition could begin.

The endeavor would require dialogue with every signatory countries to the UN framework convention on climate change and guidelines for how the process would proceed, the minister said. “Once we have criteria, a governance structure can be drawn up; after we have a strategy, and create protections to be able to establish trust in the system, I believe that with these elements we can transform positive concepts into steps that are more defined, and more tangible.”

There is no guarantee that a suggestion to start developing a plan would be accepted at COP30, even if it does not require the official approval of the summit, which proceeds by consensus and can be disrupted by particular groups. Climate experts have suggested they believe there could be backing for such a idea from about 60 nations, but there are thought to be at least forty against. There are 195 countries represented at the talks.

“Despite being the root cause of global warming, carbon-based energy are about the most divisive subject there is within the international climate talks, so to see a chunky group of countries openly supporting a route to realizing global transition is in itself highly significant.”

“Put simply, there’s no path to a planet where temperature rise stays below 1.5 degrees in which countries aren’t able to discuss fossil fuel phaseout.”

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

Discussions carried on on Saturday on several outstanding issues that have not yet been included into the formal agenda: trade, transparency, funding and how to address the shortfall between the emissions cuts countries have proposed and those needed to hold to the 1.5-degree warming target.

A summit president pledged a “document” that would cover these matters, after discussions – which have been going on since Monday – were inconclusive. The official urged nations to embrace the “mutirão” spirit, meaning one of cooperation and constructive discussion.

Progress on additional substantive issues – such as adaptation to the impacts of the climate crisis, the just transition for those impacted by the move to a low-carbon economic system and how to strengthen governance capabilities in less developed nations – proceeded constructively, the presidency said.

Brazil’s chief negotiator said the technical part of the summit process was approaching the end, and the high-level stage – when government leaders who have the power to change their countries’ stances join – was beginning.