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Brazil’s environment minister, Marina Silva, has urged every country to show the bravery needed to address the necessity of a worldwide transition away from fossil fuels, labeling the creation of a roadmap as an “moral” response to the climate crisis.

The minister emphasized, however, that involvement in this endeavor would be voluntary and “self-determined” for willing nations.

The topic stands as one of the most debated subjects at the COP30 in the host country, with countries split over if and in what way such a roadmap can be discussed. As the host, Brazil has adopted a balanced stance on what can be placed on the formal schedule.

The official expressed approval for the potential of a plan, though not directly pledging the country to it. She remarked: “In times we have a situation that is quite grim, it is helpful that we have a guide. But the guide does not force us to proceed, or to climb.”

Speaking further, she added: “The roadmap is an answer to our scientific understanding [of the climate emergency]. It is an moral answer.”

Dozens of nations meeting in the host city for the UN climate summit, which is starting its second week, are aiming to determine how a worldwide phaseout of oil, gas, and coal could be implemented. They aim to advance a historic resolution reached two years ago at a previous UN summit to “move away from non-renewable energy sources.”

That pledge lacked a schedule or specifics on how it could be realized, and even though it was adopted by all, several nations have later tried to disavow the promise. Efforts last year to elaborate on its practical implications were stymied by resistance from oil-dependent nations at COP29.

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

Because of this, Brazil has been cautious of demands by some nations to include the phaseout on the schedule for COP30. But the minister has strived behind the scenes to make sure the pledge could be discussed at the summit outside the formal agenda.

She won over the nation's president, who made public reference repeatedly to the need to “shift from dependence on traditional energy” at the summit of world leaders that preceded COP30, and at the opening of the event.

“This is a matter that we know 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 must not sell unrealistic expectations. Raising the topic is brave, and I hope [to see] this bravery from all, from producers and consumers.”

Brazil had not initiated the push for a transition, she clarified, because that had been initiated at COP28. Rather, it was allowing the discussions to take place in line with what certain nations wished. “We understand these subjects are delicate. We will give the opportunity to discuss it,” the minister added.

Time is insufficient at the summit to draw up a detailed plan, a process the minister said could take a number of years because numerous nations faced complicated issues around dependence on carbon-based energy, or aimed to use the proceeds from selling oil and gas to finance their development.

“The country raises the subject, because it is both a producing nation and user,” the minister said. “But the nation is unique, because it, if it wants to, need not rely on fossil fuels. We have to understand that there are some that depend on carbon energy in their economic systems and don’t have easy alternatives, and others where fossil fuels are the basis of their economic structure.

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

If the proposal gains enough backing, the summit could establish a platform in which the process of drawing up a roadmap to the phaseout could begin.

This endeavor would require dialogue with all signatory countries to the UN framework convention on climate change and guidelines for how the process would proceed, Silva said. “After we have standards, a management framework can be drawn up; 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 turn good ideas into steps that are clearer, and more concrete.”

It is uncertain that a proposal to start drawing up a plan would be accepted at COP30, even if it does not require the formal consent of the summit, which operates by unanimous agreement and can be disrupted by particular groups. Climate analysts have indicated they think there could be support for such a proposal from about sixty countries, but there are thought to be at least 40 against. A total of one hundred ninety-five nations participating at the talks.

“In spite of being the primary source of climate change, carbon-based energy are about the most contentious topic there is within the international climate talks, so to see a sizable coalition of nations openly supporting a route to achieving global transition is in itself pretty groundbreaking.”

“Put simply, there’s no path to a world where temperature rise remains below 1.5 degrees in which nations cannot to discuss ending fossil fuel use.”

“We need this wording for actual in this conversation. It’s highly illogical that we discuss all topics but then when the main issue are the real problem.”

Negotiations carried on on the weekend on four unresolved topics that have not yet been included into the official schedule: commerce, openness, finance and how to tackle the gap between the emissions cuts countries have planned and those needed to hold to the 1.5C warming limit.

A summit chair pledged a “document” that would address these matters, after consultations – which have been underway since Monday – were inconclusive. He urged nations to embrace the “mutirão” attitude, referring to one of collaboration and positive dialogue.

Progress on other key topics – such as adaptation to the impacts of the climate emergency, the just transition for those affected by the move to a low-carbon economy and how to build governance capabilities in less developed nations – proceeded constructively, the presidency reported.

Brazil’s lead representative said the detailed part of the summit proceedings was approaching the end, and the high-level phase – when ministers who have the authority to alter their nations' positions join – was beginning.