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Brazil’s environment minister, the minister, has called on all nations to show the courage needed to confront the necessity of a worldwide transition away from fossil fuels, labeling the development of a roadmap as an “ethical” response to the climate crisis.

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

This issue remains one of the most contentious subjects at the UN climate summit in Brazil, with countries divided over whether and how such a roadmap can be addressed. Hosting the event, Brazil has maintained a balanced stance on what can be placed on the formal agenda.

Silva expressed approval for the possibility of a plan, though not directly pledging the country to it. The minister stated: “In times we have a terrain that is very challenging, it is good that we have a guide. But the map does not compel us to proceed, or to advance.”

Speaking further, the minister noted: “The roadmap is an answer to our scientific understanding [of the climate emergency]. It is an ethical response.”

Dozens of nations meeting in Belém for the global climate conference, which is entering its second week, are seeking to establish how a worldwide phaseout of oil, gas, and coal could work. These nations hope to build on a historic agreement reached two years ago at a previous UN summit to “move away from non-renewable energy sources.”

That commitment lacked a timetable or specifics on how it could be achieved, and although it was passed by all, several countries have later tried to back away from the promise. Efforts last year to elaborate on its real-world meaning were blocked by opposition from petrostates at COP29.

As a result, there was no reference of the transition away from carbon fuels in the outcome of that conference.

For these reasons, the host has been wary of demands by some nations to include the transition on the schedule for the current summit. But Silva has worked hard behind the scenes to ensure the topic could be talked about at the conference apart from the formal program.

The minister convinced Brazil’s leader, and he gave public reference three times to the need to “move away from reliance on fossil fuels” at the global leaders' meeting that preceded the conference, and at the opening of the summit.

“This is a matter that we know at a certain time had to be put forward, because it is the sole way to face the issue from the source,” the minister explained. “We acknowledge that it is challenging, and we cannot offer false hopes. Raising the subject is brave, and I wish [to see] this courage from all, from producers and consumers.”

Brazil had not started the call for a phaseout, the minister clarified, because that had been initiated at the earlier summit. Rather, it was enabling the talks to occur in line with what some countries wished. “We know these subjects are delicate. We will provide the chance to talk about it,” she added.

Time is insufficient at the summit to create a roadmap, a task the minister said could take several years because numerous countries confronted complex issues around reliance on carbon-based energy, or wanted to use the revenue from selling oil and gas to finance their development.

“Brazil brings up the topic, because it is both a producer and consumer,” she noted. “But Brazil is unique, because it, if it chooses to, does not have to depend on fossil fuels. We have to recognise that there are some that depend on fossil fuels in their economic systems and don’t have easy alternatives, and others where fossil fuels are the basis of their economy.

“To be just is to be just to all, but the essential, basic justice is not being unjust to the planet, because it is our shared home.”

Should the proposal gains enough backing, COP30 could establish a platform in which the process of drawing up a strategy to the phaseout could begin.

The process would involve discussions with every signatory nations 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 establish safeguards to be able to build confidence in the process, I believe that with these components we can transform good ideas into steps that are clearer, and more tangible.”

It is uncertain that a suggestion to start drawing up a roadmap would win approval at COP30, even if it may not need the official consent of the summit, which operates by consensus and can be disrupted by particular groups. COP analysts have suggested they believe there could be support for such a proposal from about sixty nations, but there are thought to be at least forty against. There are one hundred ninety-five countries represented at the negotiations.

“Despite being the primary source of global warming, fossil fuels are about the most divisive subject there is within the international climate talks, so to see a chunky group of countries openly supporting a route to achieving worldwide transition is in itself pretty groundbreaking.”

“In simple terms, there’s no route to a planet where temperature rise remains below 1.5 degrees in which nations aren’t able to talk about fossil fuel phaseout.”

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

Negotiations continued on Saturday on several unresolved issues that have still not been included into the official schedule: commerce, transparency, finance and how to address the shortfall between the emissions cuts countries have planned and those required to keep to the 1.5C warming limit.

A COP30 president promised a “note” that would address these matters, after discussions – which have been going on since the start of the week – were inconclusive. The official called on nations to embrace the “mutirão” spirit, referring to one of cooperation and constructive discussion.

Progress on other key issues – such as adaptation to the impacts of the climate emergency, the just transition for those impacted by the transition to a green economic system and how to build institutional capacity in less developed nations – proceeded constructively, the host said.

The host nation's lead representative stated the detailed phase of the COP process was nearing the end, and the political stage – when government leaders who have the power to change their nations' positions join – was starting.