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Brazil’s environment minister, the minister, has urged all nations to demonstrate the courage needed to confront the necessity of a worldwide transition away from fossil fuels, describing the creation of a roadmap as an “ethical” answer to the global warming emergency.

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

This issue remains one of the most contentious subjects at the COP30 in Brazil, with nations divided over if and how such a strategy can be discussed. Hosting the event, the nation has adopted a balanced stance on what can be included on the formal agenda.

The official expressed approval for the potential of a roadmap, without directly committing Brazil to it. She remarked: “In times we have a terrain that is quite grim, it is helpful that we have a map. But the guide does not force us to travel, or to climb.”

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

Scores of nations gathered in the host city for the UN climate summit, which is starting its next phase, are seeking to determine how a global transition of fossil fuels could work. These nations hope to advance a landmark agreement made two years ago at COP28 to “transition away from fossil fuels.”

The commitment lacked a schedule or details on the way it could be achieved, and although it was passed by all, several nations have since tried to disavow the promise. Attempts last year to expand on its practical meaning were stymied by resistance from petrostates at COP29.

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

For these reasons, Brazil has been cautious of calls by some nations to place the phaseout on the agenda for the current summit. But Silva has worked hard in private to ensure the pledge could be talked about at the conference outside the formal agenda.

The minister convinced the nation's leader, who 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 event.

“This is a matter that we know at some point had to be raised, because it is the sole way to face the issue from the root,” the minister said. “We acknowledge that it is challenging, and we must not sell unrealistic expectations. Bringing up the subject is courageous, and I wish [to see] this courage from everyone, from producers and using countries.”

The nation had not started the push for a phaseout, she said, because that had been initiated at COP28. Rather, it was allowing the discussions to take place in line with what certain countries wished. “We understand these subjects are sensitive. We will provide the opportunity to discuss it,” she said.

There is not enough time at COP30 to create a detailed plan, a task Silva said could take several years because many countries faced complicated issues around reliance on carbon-based energy, or aimed to use the revenue from selling oil and gas to fund their economic growth.

“Brazil raises the topic, because Brazil is both a producer and consumer,” the minister noted. “But the nation 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 carbon energy in their economic systems and don’t have simple alternatives, and some where oil and gas are the basis of their economic structure.

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

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

The endeavor would involve discussions with all signatory countries to the UN framework convention on climate change and criteria for how the initiative would proceed, the minister said. “Once we have standards, a management framework can be developed; after we have a strategy, and create protections to be able to build trust in the process, I am confident that with these elements we can turn positive concepts into steps that are more defined, and more concrete.”

It is uncertain that a suggestion to begin drawing up a plan would win approval at the conference, although it does not require the official consent of the conference, which proceeds by unanimous agreement and can be hijacked by special interests. COP experts have suggested they think there could be support for such a idea from about 60 nations, but there are believed to be at least forty against. A total of one hundred ninety-five nations represented at the talks.

“Despite being the primary source of global warming, fossil fuels are about the most contentious topic there is within the UN negotiations, so to see a sizable group of countries openly backing a path to realizing worldwide phaseout is in itself pretty groundbreaking.”

“Put simply, there’s no route to a planet where temperature rise stays below 1.5C in which nations aren’t able to discuss ending fossil fuel use.”

“We require this language for actual in this conversation. It’s highly illogical that we discuss everything but that when fossil fuels are the real challenge.”

Discussions continued on the weekend on several outstanding topics that have still not been incorporated into the formal agenda: trade, transparency, funding and how to address the gap between the carbon reduction countries have proposed and those needed to keep to the 1.5-degree temperature target.

A COP30 president pledged a “note” that would cover these matters, after consultations – which have been underway since the start of the week – were inconclusive. He called on nations to adopt the “mutirão” attitude, meaning one of cooperation and positive dialogue.

Progress on additional key topics – including adjustment to the effects of the climate crisis, the fair shift for those impacted by the transition to a low-carbon economic system and how to build governance capabilities in developing countries – proceeded productively, the host said.

The host nation's chief negotiator said the detailed phase of the summit process was nearing completion, and the high-level stage – when government leaders who have the power to change their countries’ positions arrive – was beginning.