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Brazil’s climate chief, Marina Silva, has called on every country to show the bravery needed to confront the necessity of a worldwide transition away from fossil fuels, describing the creation of a detailed plan as an “moral” answer to the climate crisis.

She emphasized, though, that involvement in this endeavor would be optional and “self-determined” for willing nations.

The topic remains one of the most contentious matters at the UN climate summit in Brazil, with nations divided over whether and how such a strategy can be discussed. As the host, the nation has maintained a balanced position on what can be included on the formal agenda.

The official expressed support for the potential of a roadmap, without directly committing Brazil 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 force us to proceed, or to climb.”

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

Scores of countries gathered in Belém for the UN climate summit, which is entering its next phase, are seeking to establish how a global transition of oil, gas, and coal could work. They aim to advance a historic resolution made two years ago at a previous UN summit to “move away from fossil fuels.”

That commitment had no a schedule or details on the way it could be realized, and although it was adopted by all, some countries have later attempted to disavow the pledge. Efforts last year to elaborate on its real-world implications were blocked by resistance from petrostates at COP29.

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

Because of this, the host has been cautious of demands by certain nations to include the phaseout on the agenda for COP30. But Silva has worked hard in private to make sure the pledge could be talked about at the conference apart from the formal program.

She won over the nation's president, who made mention three times to the need to “shift from dependence on traditional energy” 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 raised, because it is the sole way to face the issue from the root,” Marina Silva explained. “We acknowledge that it is not easy, and we cannot offer unrealistic expectations. Raising the topic is courageous, and I wish [to see] this courage from all, from producers and using countries.”

The nation had not initiated the call for a phaseout, the minister said, because that had been done at COP28. Rather, it was allowing the discussions to take place in line with what some nations desired. “We know these subjects are sensitive. We will give the chance to discuss it,” she added.

Time is insufficient at the summit to draw up a roadmap, a task the minister called could take several years because numerous countries faced complicated issues around reliance on fossil fuels, or wanted to use the proceeds from selling oil and gas to fund their development.

“The country raises the subject, because Brazil is both a producer and consumer,” the minister noted. “But Brazil is different, because Brazil, if it chooses to, need not depend on non-renewables. We have to understand that there are certain nations 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 fair to all, but the fundamental, basic justice is to avoid being unjust to the planet, because it is our home.”

Should the pledge receives sufficient support, COP30 could establish a forum in which the work of drawing up a strategy to the transition could start.

This process would require dialogue with every participating nations to the UN framework convention on climate change and guidelines for how the process would unfold, the minister explained. “Once we have criteria, a governance structure can be drawn up; once we have a strategy, and create protections to be able to build trust in the process, I believe that with these components we can turn good ideas into actions that are more defined, and more concrete.”

It is uncertain that a suggestion to start developing a plan would be accepted at COP30, although it may not need the formal consent of the summit, which operates by consensus and can be hijacked by special interests. Climate experts have suggested they think there could be support for such a idea from about sixty countries, but there are thought to be at least forty against. A total of one hundred ninety-five nations participating at the negotiations.

“In spite of being the root cause of climate change, carbon-based energy are about the most divisive topic there is within the international climate talks, so to see a sizable group of countries openly backing a route to realizing global phaseout is in itself highly significant.”

“In simple terms, there’s no path to a world where warming stays below 1.5 degrees in which nations aren’t able to talk about ending fossil fuel use.”

“We need this wording for actual in this discussion. It’s quite stupid that we discuss all topics but then when fossil fuels are the real problem.”

Discussions carried on on Saturday on several outstanding topics that have still not been incorporated into the formal agenda: commerce, openness, finance and how to address the shortfall between the carbon reduction countries have proposed and those needed to hold to the 1.5-degree temperature target.

A COP30 president pledged a “document” that would cover these matters, after discussions – which have been going on since the start of the week – were inconclusive. The official urged nations to adopt the “mutirão” spirit, referring to one of cooperation and positive dialogue.

Work on other substantive issues – such as adjustment to the effects of the climate emergency, the fair shift for those impacted by the move to a low-carbon economy and how to strengthen governance capabilities in developing countries – proceeded productively, the presidency said.

The host nation's lead representative stated the detailed phase of the COP process was approaching completion, and the high-level stage – when ministers who have the power to change their countries’ positions join – was starting.