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Brazil’s environment minister, the minister, has urged all nations to demonstrate the bravery needed to confront the imperative of a global transition away from fossil fuels, describing the development of a detailed plan as an “ethical” answer to the global warming emergency.

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

This issue stands as one of the most contentious matters at the COP30 in the host country, with countries split over if and in what way such a roadmap can be addressed. As the host, the nation has adopted a carefully neutral position on what can be placed on the official agenda.

The official voiced approval for the potential of a plan, though not directly pledging Brazil to it. The minister remarked: “In times we have a situation that is quite grim, it is helpful that we have a map. But the map does not compel us to travel, or to advance.”

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

Scores of nations meeting in Belém for the UN climate summit, which is starting its next phase, are aiming to establish how a worldwide transition of fossil fuels could work. They hope to build on a landmark resolution reached two years ago at COP28 to “move away from fossil fuels.”

The pledge had no a schedule or specifics on the way it could be achieved, and although it was passed by all, some countries have since tried to disavow the pledge. Attempts last year to expand on its real-world meaning were stymied by opposition from oil-dependent nations at COP29.

Consequently, there was no mention of the transition away from fossil fuels in the outcome of COP29.

Because of this, the host has been cautious of demands by some nations to include the phaseout on the schedule for the current summit. But the minister has strived behind the scenes to ensure the topic could be discussed at the summit apart from the official program.

She convinced Brazil’s president, who made mention repeatedly to the need to “shift from dependence on traditional energy” at the summit of world leaders that came before COP30, and at the opening of the event.

“The issue is something that we understand at some point had to be put forward, because it is the only way to address the issue from the source,” Marina Silva said. “We acknowledge that it is challenging, and we cannot sell unrealistic expectations. Raising the topic is courageous, and I wish [to see] this courage from everyone, from producing nations and using countries.”

Brazil had not initiated the push for a phaseout, she said, because that had been initiated at the earlier summit. Instead, it was enabling the discussions to occur in line with what some countries desired. “We know these topics are sensitive. We will give the opportunity to discuss it,” she added.

Time is insufficient at COP30 to create a detailed plan, a task Silva said could take a number of years because many countries confronted complicated issues around reliance on fossil fuels, or wanted to use the revenue from exporting oil and gas to fund their economic growth.

“Brazil raises the topic, because it is simultaneously a producing nation and user,” the minister said. “But the nation is different, because Brazil, if it chooses to, does not have to depend on non-renewables. We have to understand that there are some that depend on carbon energy in their economies and lack simple solutions, and others where oil and gas are the foundation of their economy.

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

If the pledge gains enough support, the summit could establish a platform in which the work of drawing up a strategy to the transition could start.

The endeavor would involve dialogue with every participating countries to the UN climate treaty and guidelines for how the initiative would unfold, Silva explained. “Once we have standards, a management framework can be developed; after we have a plan, and create protections to be able to build confidence in the process, I am confident that with these components we can turn good ideas into actions that are more defined, and more tangible.”

There is no guarantee that a proposal to start developing a roadmap would be accepted at the conference, even if it may not need the official consent of the conference, which operates by unanimous agreement and can be hijacked by special interests. COP analysts have suggested they think there could be backing for such a idea from about 60 nations, but there are believed to be at least 40 against. A total of 195 nations participating at the negotiations.

“In spite of being the primary source of climate change, carbon-based energy are about the most contentious subject there is within the UN negotiations, so to see a chunky coalition of nations publicly supporting a path to achieving worldwide transition is in itself pretty groundbreaking.”

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

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

Negotiations carried on on Saturday on four unresolved issues that have not yet been included into the formal agenda: trade, transparency, finance and how to tackle the gap between the carbon reduction countries have proposed and those needed to keep to the 1.5-degree temperature target.

The summit chair promised a “note” that would address these matters, after discussions – which have been going on since Monday – were inconclusive. He urged nations to adopt the “mutirão” attitude, referring to one of cooperation and constructive dialogue.

Work on additional key issues – including adjustment to the effects of the climate emergency, the fair shift for those affected by the move to a green economy and how to strengthen governance capabilities in developing countries – proceeded productively, the host reported.

The host nation's lead representative stated the detailed part of the summit proceedings was approaching completion, and the political stage – when government leaders who have the power to alter their nations' positions arrive – was starting.