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The environment minister, the minister, has called on every country to show the courage needed to address the necessity of a worldwide transition away from fossil fuels, describing the creation of a roadmap as an “ethical” response to the climate crisis.

She stressed, however, that participation in this process would be voluntary and “self-determined” for willing nations.

The topic stands as one of the most contentious subjects at the COP30 in Brazil, with countries divided over if and in what way such a strategy can be addressed. As the host, the nation has maintained a balanced stance on what can be placed on the formal schedule.

Silva expressed approval for the possibility of a roadmap, though not directly committing the country to it. The minister stated: “When we have a terrain that is very challenging, it is helpful that we have a map. But the guide does not compel us to proceed, or to climb.”

In an interview, she noted: “The map is an response to our scientific knowledge [of the climate crisis]. It is an moral response.”

Scores of nations meeting in Belém for the UN climate summit, which is starting its next phase, are seeking to determine how a worldwide phaseout of fossil fuels could be implemented. These nations hope to advance a landmark agreement reached two years ago at a previous UN summit to “move away from fossil fuels.”

That commitment had no a schedule or specifics on the way it could be realized, and even though it was adopted unanimously, some nations have since attempted to back away from the promise. Efforts last year to expand on its real-world meaning were blocked by opposition from oil-dependent nations at another UN summit.

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

Because of this, the host has been wary of calls by some nations to place the transition on the schedule for the current summit. But Silva has strived in private to ensure the topic could be discussed at the conference outside the formal program.

She convinced Brazil’s president, and he made public reference repeatedly to the need to “shift from dependence on fossil fuels” at the global leaders' meeting that came before the conference, and at the opening of the summit.

“The issue is a matter that we understand at some point had to be put forward, because it is the only way to address the problem from the root,” the minister explained. “We recognise that it is not easy, and we must not offer unrealistic expectations. Raising the topic is courageous, and I hope [to see] this courage from everyone, from producers and using countries.”

The nation had not started the push for a transition, the minister clarified, because that had been initiated at COP28. Rather, it was allowing the talks to occur in line with what certain nations desired. “We know these subjects are sensitive. We will give the opportunity to discuss it,” the minister said.

Time is insufficient at COP30 to create a detailed plan, a task the minister said could take a number of years because many countries faced complex issues around reliance on carbon-based energy, or wanted to use the revenue from exporting fossil fuels to fund their development.

“Brazil brings up the subject, because Brazil is simultaneously a producing nation and user,” she noted. “But the nation is different, because it, if it wants to, does not have to rely on non-renewables. We have to recognise that there are certain nations that rely on fossil fuels in their economic systems and lack simple alternatives, and some where oil and gas are the foundation of their economic structure.

“To be just is to be fair to everyone, but the fundamental, primordial justice is to avoid being unfair to the planet, because it is our home.”

Should the pledge receives sufficient backing, the summit could establish a platform in which the process of creating a strategy to the phaseout could begin.

The endeavor would require dialogue with all signatory countries to the UN framework convention on climate change and guidelines for how the process would proceed, Silva said. “After we have standards, a governance structure can be drawn up; after we have a strategy, and create protections to be able to build confidence in the system, I believe that with these elements we can transform good ideas into actions that are more defined, and more tangible.”

There is no guarantee that a suggestion to begin developing a roadmap would be accepted at the conference, even if it may not need the formal approval of the conference, which operates by unanimous agreement and can be hijacked by particular groups. Climate analysts have indicated they believe there could be support for such a idea from about 60 nations, but there are thought to be at least 40 against. A total of 195 nations participating at the talks.

“Despite being the root cause of global warming, fossil fuels are about the most contentious topic there is within the international climate talks, so to see a chunky group of nations publicly supporting a route to realizing global transition is in itself highly significant.”

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

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

Discussions carried on on the weekend on several outstanding topics that have not yet been included into the official schedule: trade, openness, finance and how to address the gap between the carbon reduction countries have planned and those needed to keep to the 1.5-degree warming target.

A summit chair pledged a “document” that would cover these issues, after discussions – which have been underway since the start of the week – were inconclusive. The official urged countries to embrace the “mutirão” attitude, referring to one of collaboration and positive discussion.

Progress on additional substantive issues – such as adjustment to the impacts of the climate crisis, the just transition for those impacted by the move to a low-carbon economic system and how to strengthen governance capabilities in developing countries – proceeded productively, the host said.

The host nation's lead representative stated the detailed part of the COP proceedings was approaching the end, and the high-level stage – when government leaders who have the power to change their countries’ stances arrive – was beginning.