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Brazil’s climate chief, the minister, has called on every country to show the courage needed to confront the necessity of a worldwide transition away from fossil fuels, labeling the creation of a detailed plan as an “ethical” response to the climate crisis.

The minister stressed, however, that participation in this endeavor would be voluntary and “self-determined” for willing governments.

The topic stands as one of the most debated matters at the UN climate summit in the host country, with nations divided over if and in what way such a roadmap can be discussed. As the host, the nation has adopted a balanced position on which items can be included on the official schedule.

Silva expressed support for the possibility of a roadmap, though not explicitly committing the country to it. She stated: “When we have a situation that is quite grim, it is good that we have a map. But the map does not compel us to proceed, or to climb.”

In an interview, the minister added: “The map is an answer to our scientific understanding [of the climate crisis]. It is an ethical response.”

Scores of nations gathered in Belém for the global climate conference, which is starting its next phase, are aiming to determine how a worldwide transition of oil, gas, and coal could work. These nations aim to advance a landmark resolution made two years ago at COP28 to “transition away from fossil fuels.”

That commitment lacked a schedule or specifics on how it could be realized, and although it was passed unanimously, several countries have since attempted to back away from the promise. Attempts last year to elaborate on its real-world meaning were blocked by opposition from petrostates at COP29.

As a result, there was no reference of the transition away from carbon fuels in the outcome of that conference.

Because of this, the host has been wary of calls by some countries to include the phaseout on the agenda for COP30. But Silva has strived in private to make sure the topic could be talked about at the summit outside the official agenda.

The minister won over Brazil’s president, who made public reference repeatedly to the need to “move away from dependence on traditional energy” at the summit of world leaders that came before the conference, and at the start of the event.

“The issue is a matter that we understand at a certain time had to be raised, because it is the only way to address the problem from the root,” the minister said. “We recognise that it is not easy, and we must not sell false hopes. Bringing up the topic is brave, and I wish [to see] this courage from all, from producers and consumers.”

Brazil had not initiated the call for a transition, she said, because that had been initiated at COP28. Instead, it was enabling the talks to occur in accordance with what certain nations wished. “We know these topics are sensitive. We will provide the chance to discuss it,” the minister said.

There is not enough time at the summit to create a roadmap, a task the minister called could take a number of years because many nations faced complicated issues around reliance on fossil fuels, or aimed to use the proceeds from exporting oil and gas to finance their economic growth.

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

“To be just is to be just to everyone, but the essential, primordial justice is not being unfair to the planet, because it is our shared home.”

If the pledge receives sufficient support, COP30 could set up a platform in which the process of drawing up a strategy to the phaseout could begin.

The endeavor would involve discussions with all participating countries to the UN climate treaty and guidelines for how the initiative would unfold, the minister explained. “After we have standards, a governance structure can be drawn up; once we have a strategy, and establish safeguards to be able to build trust in the system, I believe that with these elements we can turn positive concepts into steps that are clearer, and more concrete.”

It is uncertain that a suggestion to start developing a roadmap would win approval at the conference, although it may not need the official approval of the conference, which operates by unanimous agreement and can be hijacked by special interests. Climate analysts have indicated they think there could be backing for such a idea from about sixty countries, but there are believed to be at least forty opposed. A total of 195 countries participating at the talks.

“In spite of being the root cause of climate change, fossil fuels are about the most contentious topic there is within the international climate talks, so to see a chunky coalition of nations publicly backing a path to realizing worldwide transition is in itself highly significant.”

“In simple terms, there’s no path to a planet where warming remains below 1.5 degrees in which nations aren’t able to talk about fossil fuel phaseout.”

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

Discussions carried on on Saturday on four outstanding issues that have not yet been incorporated into the formal schedule: trade, openness, funding and how to tackle the gap between the carbon reduction countries have proposed and those needed to keep to the 1.5C temperature target.

A COP30 president pledged a “note” that would cover these matters, after consultations – which have been going on since Monday – were inconclusive. The official called on nations to embrace the “mutirão” spirit, referring to one of cooperation and positive discussion.

Progress on other substantive issues – including adaptation to the effects of the climate crisis, the fair shift for those impacted by the transition to a green economy and how to build institutional capacity in less developed nations – carried on constructively, the presidency reported.

The host nation's lead representative stated the technical phase of the COP proceedings was nearing completion, and the high-level phase – when ministers who have the power to alter their countries’ positions join – was starting.