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Brazil’s environment minister, Marina Silva, has urged all nations to demonstrate the courage needed to address the imperative of a worldwide transition away from fossil fuels, labeling the development of a detailed plan as an “ethical” response to the global warming emergency.

The minister stressed, however, that participation in this process would be optional and “self-determined” for interested governments.

The topic stands as one of the most contentious matters at the COP30 in Brazil, with countries split over if and in what way such a roadmap can be discussed. Hosting the event, Brazil has adopted a carefully neutral stance on which items can be included on the formal schedule.

The official expressed approval for the potential of a plan, though not explicitly committing Brazil to it. She remarked: “In times we have a situation that is quite grim, it is good that we have a guide. But the map does not compel us to travel, or to advance.”

Speaking further, the minister added: “The roadmap is an response to our scientific understanding [of the climate crisis]. It is an moral response.”

Dozens of nations gathered in the host city for the global climate conference, which is entering its second week, are aiming to establish how a global transition of oil, gas, and coal could be implemented. These nations aim to advance a historic agreement reached two years ago at a previous UN summit to “move away from non-renewable energy sources.”

The pledge lacked a timetable or details on the way it could be realized, and even though it was adopted by all, several countries have later attempted to disavow the promise. Attempts last year to expand on its real-world implications were blocked by resistance from oil-dependent nations at COP29.

Consequently, there was no mention of the transition away from carbon fuels in the outcome of that conference.

For these reasons, the host has been cautious of demands by some nations to place the transition on the schedule for COP30. But the minister has strived in private to make sure the pledge could be discussed at the conference outside the formal agenda.

The minister convinced Brazil’s leader, who made public reference repeatedly to the need to “move away from reliance on traditional energy” at the summit of world leaders that preceded COP30, and at the start of the event.

“This is a matter that we understand at a certain time had to be put forward, because it is the only way to address the problem from the source,” Marina Silva said. “We recognise that it is not easy, and we cannot sell unrealistic expectations. Raising the topic is courageous, and I hope [to see] this courage from all, from producers and using countries.”

The nation had not started the call for a phaseout, she said, because that had been initiated at the earlier summit. Instead, it was enabling the talks to take place in accordance with what some nations desired. “We understand these topics are sensitive. We will give the chance to discuss it,” she added.

Time is insufficient at the summit to draw up a roadmap, a process the minister called could take several years because numerous nations faced complex challenges around reliance on fossil fuels, or wanted to use the revenue from selling fossil fuels to fund their development.

“Brazil brings up the subject, because Brazil is simultaneously a producer and user,” the minister noted. “But the nation is different, because Brazil, if it chooses to, need not rely on non-renewables. We have to recognise that there are certain nations that rely on fossil fuels in their economies and don’t have simple alternatives, and others where oil and gas are the basis of their economy.

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

Should the pledge receives enough support, the summit could establish a platform in which the work of creating a strategy to the phaseout could start.

The endeavor would involve dialogue with all signatory nations to the UN climate treaty and guidelines for how the initiative would proceed, Silva explained. “Once we have standards, a governance structure can be drawn up; after we have a strategy, and create safeguards to be able to build confidence in the process, I am confident that with these elements we can turn good ideas into actions that are more defined, and more tangible.”

It is uncertain that a suggestion to begin drawing up a plan would win approval at COP30, even if it may not need the official approval of the summit, which operates by consensus and can be disrupted by special interests. Climate experts have indicated they think there could be backing for such a proposal from about 60 countries, but there are thought to be at least forty opposed. A total of one hundred ninety-five countries participating at the talks.

“Despite being the root cause of climate change, carbon-based energy are about the most contentious topic there is within the UN negotiations, so to see a sizable coalition of nations openly supporting a route to realizing worldwide transition is in itself pretty groundbreaking.”

“In simple terms, there’s no route to a world where warming stays below 1.5 degrees in which nations cannot to talk about fossil fuel phaseout.”

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

Negotiations carried on on the weekend on several outstanding topics that have not yet been incorporated into the formal schedule: trade, transparency, finance and how to address the gap between the carbon reduction nations have proposed and those needed to hold to the 1.5C warming limit.

The summit president pledged a “note” that would address these matters, after consultations – which have been underway since the start of the week – were unresolved. The official called on countries to embrace the “mutirão” spirit, referring to one of collaboration and constructive dialogue.

Progress on additional key issues – including adaptation to the impacts of the climate emergency, the just transition for those impacted by the move to a green economic system and how to strengthen governance capabilities in developing countries – proceeded productively, the presidency reported.

The host nation's lead representative stated the detailed phase of the summit proceedings was nearing completion, and the high-level stage – when ministers who have the authority to alter their countries’ stances arrive – was starting.