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The climate chief, the minister, has urged all nations to show the bravery needed to confront the imperative of a global transition away from fossil fuels, describing the development of a detailed plan as an “moral” answer to the global warming emergency.

She emphasized, however, that participation in this endeavor would be optional and “self-determined” for interested governments.

This issue stands as one of the most debated subjects at the COP30 in the host country, with countries divided over if and in what way such a roadmap can be addressed. As the host, Brazil has maintained a carefully neutral stance on what can be included on the official schedule.

Silva voiced 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 quite grim, it is helpful that we have a map. But the guide does not compel us to travel, or to advance.”

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

Scores of nations gathered in the host city for the UN climate summit, which is entering its next phase, are seeking to establish how a worldwide phaseout of fossil fuels could be implemented. These nations hope to build on a historic agreement reached two years ago at COP28 to “move away from non-renewable energy sources.”

That commitment lacked a timetable or details on how it could be achieved, and although it was adopted by all, some countries have later attempted to back away from the promise. Attempts last year to expand on its real-world implications were stymied by opposition from oil-dependent nations at COP29.

Consequently, there was no reference of the shift away from carbon fuels in the outcome of COP29.

Because of this, Brazil has been wary of demands by some countries to place the transition on the agenda for COP30. But Silva has worked hard in private to make sure the pledge could be discussed at the conference apart from the formal program.

The minister convinced Brazil’s president, who made public reference three times to the need to “move away from reliance on traditional energy” at the summit of world leaders that preceded COP30, and at the opening of the summit.

“This is something that we understand at some point had to be put forward, because it is the sole way to face the problem from the source,” the minister explained. “We recognise that it is challenging, and we must not sell false hopes. Raising the topic is brave, and I wish [to see] this courage from everyone, from producers and using countries.”

Brazil had not initiated the push for a transition, the minister clarified, because that had been done at the earlier summit. Rather, it was enabling the talks to take place in accordance with what certain nations desired. “We know these subjects are delicate. We will give the opportunity to discuss it,” the minister added.

There is not enough time at COP30 to create a detailed plan, a process Silva called could take several years because many nations confronted complex challenges around reliance on fossil fuels, or wanted to use the revenue from exporting oil and gas to fund their development.

“Brazil raises the subject, because Brazil is both a producer and consumer,” the minister said. “But Brazil is unique, because it, if it wants to, does not have to depend on fossil fuels. We have to understand that there are certain nations that rely on carbon energy in their economic systems and lack easy alternatives, and some where fossil fuels are the basis of their economy.

“To be just is to be just to everyone, but the essential, primordial fairness is not being unjust to the planet, because it is our home.”

Should the proposal gains sufficient backing, COP30 could set up a forum in which the process of creating a strategy to the transition could start.

This process would require dialogue with every participating countries to the UN framework convention on climate change and criteria for how the initiative would proceed, Silva said. “After we have criteria, a management framework can be developed; once we have a plan, and establish safeguards to be able to build confidence in the process, I believe that with these components we can turn good ideas into actions that are more defined, and more tangible.”

It is uncertain that a proposal to begin developing a roadmap would win approval at COP30, even if it may not need the official consent of the summit, which proceeds by consensus and can be disrupted by special interests. Climate analysts have suggested they believe there could be support for such a proposal from about 60 nations, but there are believed to be at least 40 opposed. A total of 195 nations participating at the negotiations.

“In spite of being the primary source of global warming, fossil fuels are about the most contentious subject there is within the UN negotiations, so to see a sizable coalition of nations openly backing a route to realizing global phaseout is in itself pretty groundbreaking.”

“Put simply, there’s no path to a world where temperature rise stays below 1.5 degrees in which countries aren’t able to talk about fossil fuel phaseout.”

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

Negotiations carried on on the weekend on four outstanding topics that have still not been incorporated into the official schedule: commerce, transparency, funding and how to tackle the shortfall between the carbon reduction nations have proposed and those required to keep to the 1.5-degree warming target.

A COP30 president pledged a “note” that would address these issues, after consultations – which have been going on since the start of the week – were inconclusive. The official urged countries to adopt the “mutirão” spirit, referring to one of collaboration and positive dialogue.

Work on other key issues – including adjustment to the effects of the climate emergency, the fair shift for those affected by the move to a green economic system and how to build governance capabilities in less developed nations – carried on productively, the presidency said.

Brazil’s lead representative stated the detailed phase of the summit process was approaching the end, and the high-level stage – when government leaders who have the power to change their countries’ positions arrive – was beginning.