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The environment minister, the minister, has called on all nations to show the bravery needed to address the imperative of a worldwide transition away from fossil fuels, labeling the creation of a roadmap as an “moral” response to the global warming emergency.

The minister emphasized, however, that involvement in this process would be optional and “self-determined” for interested nations.

This issue remains one of the most contentious matters at the COP30 in Brazil, with nations split over whether and in what way such a strategy can be addressed. Hosting the event, the nation has maintained a balanced stance on what can be included on the official schedule.

The official expressed approval for the potential of a roadmap, though not explicitly 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 map. But the map does not compel us to travel, or to advance.”

In an interview, the minister added: “The roadmap is an answer to our scientific knowledge [of the climate emergency]. It is an ethical answer.”

Dozens of nations gathered in Belém for the UN climate summit, which is starting its second week, are aiming to establish how a worldwide phaseout of fossil fuels could be implemented. They aim to build on a landmark resolution made two years ago at COP28 to “transition away from fossil fuels.”

That commitment lacked a schedule or details on how it could be achieved, and even though it was adopted by all, several countries have since tried to disavow the pledge. Attempts last year to elaborate on its real-world implications were blocked by resistance from oil-dependent nations at another UN summit.

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

For these reasons, the host has been cautious of demands by certain nations to place the phaseout on the agenda for COP30. But Silva has worked hard behind the scenes to ensure the topic could be talked about at the conference outside the official agenda.

The minister convinced the nation's leader, and he made mention repeatedly to the need to “shift from reliance on traditional energy” at the global leaders' meeting that came before the conference, and at the start of the event.

“This is a matter that we know at a certain time had to be raised, because it is the only way to face the problem from the source,” Marina Silva explained. “We recognise that it is not easy, and we cannot sell unrealistic expectations. Raising the topic is courageous, and I hope [to see] this courage from everyone, from producing nations and using countries.”

The nation had not started the push for a phaseout, she said, because that had been done at the earlier summit. Rather, it was enabling the talks to occur in accordance with what some nations wished. “We understand these topics 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 Silva called could take several years because many countries faced complicated challenges around reliance on fossil fuels, or aimed to use the revenue from selling fossil fuels to finance their economic growth.

“The country brings up the subject, because Brazil is simultaneously a producer and consumer,” the minister said. “But Brazil is unique, because Brazil, if it chooses to, need not depend on fossil fuels. We have to understand that there are certain nations that depend on fossil fuels in their economies and lack simple alternatives, and others where fossil fuels are the basis of their economic structure.

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

Should the proposal gains sufficient backing, COP30 could establish a platform in which the process of creating a roadmap to the transition could begin.

This process would involve discussions with every participating nations to the UN climate treaty and guidelines for how the initiative would unfold, the minister explained. “After we have criteria, a management framework can be developed; once we have a plan, and create protections 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 plan would be accepted at the conference, even if it may not need the official consent of the conference, which proceeds by unanimous agreement and can be disrupted by particular groups. COP analysts have indicated they think there could be backing for such a idea from about sixty nations, but there are thought to be at least forty against. A total of 195 nations represented at the negotiations.

“Despite being the root cause of climate change, fossil fuels are about the most divisive subject there is within the UN negotiations, so to see a chunky group of countries publicly supporting a route to achieving worldwide phaseout is in itself highly significant.”

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

“We require this wording for actual in this conversation. It’s highly illogical that we discuss everything but that when fossil fuels are the real challenge.”

Discussions continued on Saturday on four unresolved issues that have still not been included into the official schedule: trade, openness, funding and how to address the shortfall between the carbon reduction nations have planned and those required to hold to the 1.5C temperature limit.

A summit chair pledged a “note” that would cover these matters, after consultations – which have been underway since the start of the week – were inconclusive. The official urged countries to adopt the “mutirão” attitude, meaning one of collaboration and positive dialogue.

Work on additional substantive topics – including adjustment to the effects 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 less developed nations – proceeded constructively, the host reported.

Brazil’s chief negotiator stated the technical phase of the COP process was approaching completion, and the political phase – when ministers who have the authority to alter their countries’ stances join – was beginning.