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

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

The topic remains one of the most contentious subjects at the COP30 in Brazil, with nations split over whether and in what way such a strategy can be discussed. Hosting the event, Brazil has maintained a balanced stance on which items can be placed on the formal agenda.

The official voiced approval for the possibility of a roadmap, without explicitly committing Brazil to it. The minister stated: “In times we have a terrain that is very challenging, it is good that we have a map. But the guide does not compel us to travel, or to advance.”

In an interview, she noted: “The roadmap is an answer to our scientific understanding [of the climate emergency]. It is an ethical answer.”

Dozens of nations meeting in Belém for the global climate conference, which is starting its next phase, are seeking to determine how a global transition of oil, gas, and coal could work. They hope to build on a landmark resolution made two years ago at a previous UN summit to “transition away from non-renewable energy sources.”

The pledge had no a timetable or details on the way it could be realized, and even though it was passed by all, some countries have later tried to disavow the promise. Efforts last year to elaborate on its practical implications were stymied by opposition from petrostates at COP29.

Consequently, there was no reference of the shift away from carbon fuels in the final agreement of COP29.

Because of this, the host has been wary of demands by certain nations to place the phaseout on the schedule for COP30. But the minister has strived behind the scenes to ensure the pledge could be talked about at the summit outside the official agenda.

The minister convinced the nation's president, who gave public reference repeatedly to the need to “shift 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 know at a certain time had to be raised, because it is the sole way to face the problem from the source,” the minister explained. “We acknowledge that it is challenging, and we cannot sell unrealistic expectations. Bringing up the subject is brave, and I wish [to see] this courage from everyone, from producing nations and using countries.”

Brazil had not initiated the push for a transition, she clarified, because that had been initiated at COP28. Rather, it was enabling the talks to take place in accordance with what some nations desired. “We know these topics are delicate. We will provide the chance to discuss it,” the minister added.

There is not enough time at the summit to draw up a roadmap, a task Silva said could take a number of years because numerous nations faced complex issues around dependence on fossil fuels, or aimed to use the revenue from selling oil and gas to fund their development.

“Brazil brings up the topic, because Brazil is both a producing nation and consumer,” she noted. “But Brazil is different, because Brazil, if it wants to, need not rely on non-renewables. We have to understand that there are certain nations that depend on carbon energy in their economies and lack simple solutions, and others where fossil fuels are the foundation of their economic structure.

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

If the pledge gains enough support, COP30 could set up a platform in which the process of creating a strategy to the phaseout could begin.

This process would involve dialogue with every participating countries to the UN framework convention on climate change and guidelines for how the process would proceed, Silva explained. “After we have standards, a management framework can be drawn up; after we have a plan, and create protections to be able to establish confidence in the process, I am confident that with these components we can turn positive concepts into steps that are clearer, and more tangible.”

It is uncertain that a suggestion to begin drawing up a plan would be accepted at COP30, even if it does not require the formal approval of the conference, which proceeds by consensus and can be disrupted by special interests. COP analysts have indicated they believe there could be backing for such a idea from about 60 nations, but there are thought to be at least forty opposed. A total of 195 countries participating at the negotiations.

“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 sizable coalition of nations openly backing a route to achieving worldwide transition is in itself pretty groundbreaking.”

“In simple terms, there’s no path to a planet where temperature rise stays below 1.5C in which countries aren’t able to talk about fossil fuel phaseout.”

“We require this language for actual in this discussion. It’s quite stupid that we discuss everything but that when the main issue are the real challenge.”

Negotiations continued on Saturday on four unresolved topics that have not yet been incorporated into the formal schedule: trade, transparency, funding and how to tackle the gap between the emissions cuts countries have proposed and those required to hold to the 1.5C warming target.

The COP30 chair promised a “note” that would address these issues, after discussions – which have been underway since Monday – were unresolved. The official urged countries to adopt the “mutirão” attitude, meaning one of cooperation and positive discussion.

Progress on other key issues – such as adaptation to the effects of the climate emergency, the fair shift for those affected by the transition to a green economic system and how to strengthen institutional capacity in developing countries – proceeded productively, the host said.

The host nation's lead representative stated the detailed phase of the COP proceedings was approaching the end, and the political phase – when government leaders who have the authority to alter their countries’ stances join – was starting.