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

The minister emphasized, though, that participation in this process would be voluntary and “independently decided” for willing nations.

This issue stands as one of the most contentious subjects at the COP30 in Brazil, with countries divided over if and how such a roadmap can be discussed. As the host, Brazil has adopted a balanced stance on what can be placed on the formal agenda.

The official voiced approval for the possibility of a plan, without explicitly pledging Brazil to it. She stated: “When we have a situation that is very challenging, it is helpful that we have a guide. But the map does not force us to proceed, or to climb.”

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

Dozens of countries gathered in Belém for the global climate conference, which is starting its second week, are seeking to determine how a global phaseout of oil, gas, and coal could work. These nations hope to advance a landmark resolution reached two years ago at a previous UN summit to “move away from fossil fuels.”

That commitment lacked a timetable or details on how it could be achieved, and although it was adopted unanimously, some nations have later tried to disavow the promise. Attempts last year to expand on its real-world meaning were blocked by opposition from oil-dependent nations at COP29.

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

For these reasons, the host has been cautious of calls by some countries to include the transition on the agenda for the current summit. But the minister has strived behind the scenes to make sure the topic could be talked about at the conference outside the official agenda.

She convinced Brazil’s president, who made public reference three times to the need to “shift from dependence on fossil fuels” at the global leaders' meeting that preceded the conference, and at the start of the event.

“This is something 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,” the minister said. “We acknowledge that it is challenging, and we cannot sell false hopes. Raising the subject is courageous, and I hope [to see] this courage from all, from producing nations and using countries.”

The nation had not started the call for a phaseout, she clarified, because that had been initiated at the earlier summit. Instead, it was enabling the talks to take place in line with what some nations wished. “We know these subjects are delicate. We will provide the opportunity to talk about it,” the minister added.

There is not enough time at the summit to create a detailed plan, a process the minister called could take several years because numerous countries confronted complex issues around dependence on fossil fuels, or wanted to use the proceeds from exporting oil and gas to finance their development.

“Brazil brings up the subject, because it is simultaneously a producer and consumer,” she said. “But the nation is different, because it, if it chooses to, need not depend on non-renewables. We have to understand that there are certain nations that rely 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 just to everyone, but the essential, basic justice is to avoid being unjust to the planet, because it is our home.”

If the pledge receives enough backing, COP30 could establish a forum in which the process of creating a strategy to the transition could begin.

The endeavor would involve discussions with every signatory countries to the UN climate treaty and guidelines for how the initiative would unfold, Silva said. “Once we have criteria, a governance structure can be developed; once we have a plan, and establish protections to be able to establish trust in the system, I believe that with these components we can transform positive concepts into actions that are clearer, and more tangible.”

There is no guarantee that a proposal to begin developing a roadmap would win approval at COP30, even if it does not require the official approval of the conference, which operates by unanimous agreement and can be hijacked by special interests. COP analysts have suggested they think there could be support for such a proposal from about sixty nations, but there are believed to be at least forty against. A total of one hundred ninety-five countries represented at the talks.

“In spite of being the root cause of global warming, fossil fuels are about the most contentious subject there is within the international climate talks, so to see a chunky coalition of countries publicly backing a path to realizing global transition is in itself pretty groundbreaking.”

“In simple terms, there’s no path to a world where warming remains below 1.5 degrees in which countries cannot to discuss ending fossil fuel use.”

“We need this language for real in this conversation. It’s highly illogical that we discuss everything but that when the main issue are the real problem.”

Negotiations carried on on Saturday on several outstanding topics that have still not been included into the official agenda: trade, openness, funding and how to address the gap between the emissions cuts countries have planned and those required to keep to the 1.5C warming target.

A summit chair promised a “document” that would address these matters, after discussions – which have been underway since the start of the week – were unresolved. The official urged nations to adopt the “mutirão” attitude, referring to one of collaboration and positive discussion.

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 strengthen governance capabilities in less developed nations – carried on constructively, the host reported.

Brazil’s chief negotiator said the technical phase of the COP process was approaching the end, and the political phase – when government leaders who have the authority to change their nations' positions arrive – was beginning.