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The climate chief, Marina Silva, has called on all nations to show the courage needed to address the imperative of a global transition away from fossil fuels, labeling the creation of a roadmap as an “ethical” answer to the global warming emergency.

The minister stressed, though, that involvement in this process would be optional and “independently decided” for interested governments.

This issue stands as one of the most debated subjects at the COP30 in Brazil, with nations divided over whether and how such a roadmap can be discussed. Hosting the event, Brazil has adopted a carefully neutral position on what can be included on the official schedule.

Silva expressed support for the potential of a plan, though not explicitly committing Brazil to it. The minister remarked: “When 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 climb.”

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

Scores of nations gathered in Belém for the UN climate summit, which is entering its second week, are aiming to determine how a global transition of fossil fuels could be implemented. These nations aim to advance a historic agreement reached two years ago at a previous UN summit to “move away from fossil fuels.”

That commitment had no a schedule or specifics on the way it could be achieved, and even though it was passed unanimously, several countries have since attempted to back away from the pledge. Attempts last year to elaborate on its practical meaning were blocked by resistance from oil-dependent nations at another UN summit.

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

For these reasons, the host has been cautious of calls by certain nations to place the phaseout on the agenda for the current summit. But the minister has worked hard behind the scenes to ensure the topic could be discussed at the conference apart from the formal program.

She convinced the nation's president, and he made mention repeatedly to the need to “move away from reliance on fossil fuels” at the summit of world leaders that preceded COP30, and at the start of the summit.

“This is a matter that we know at a certain time had to be raised, because it is the sole way to address the problem from the root,” the minister explained. “We acknowledge that it is not easy, and we must not sell false hopes. Raising the subject is courageous, and I hope [to see] this bravery from everyone, from producers and consumers.”

Brazil had not started the call for a phaseout, she clarified, because that had been done at COP28. Instead, it was allowing the talks to occur in line with what some nations desired. “We know these subjects are delicate. We will give the opportunity to talk about it,” the minister said.

There is not enough time at COP30 to draw up a roadmap, a process the minister said could take a number of years because numerous nations confronted complicated challenges around reliance on carbon-based energy, or wanted to use the revenue from exporting fossil fuels to finance their development.

“The country brings up the topic, because Brazil is both a producing nation and user,” she said. “But the nation is unique, because it, if it wants to, does not have to depend on non-renewables. We have to recognise that there are some that rely on carbon energy in their economies and lack easy alternatives, and some where fossil fuels are the basis of their economy.

“To be fair is to be fair to all, but the essential, basic justice is not being unjust to the Earth, because it is our shared 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 start.

This endeavor would involve discussions with every participating nations to the UN climate treaty and guidelines for how the initiative would unfold, Silva explained. “After we have criteria, a governance structure can be developed; after we have a plan, and create safeguards to be able to build trust in the process, I believe that with these components we can transform good ideas into actions that are clearer, and more tangible.”

It is uncertain that a proposal to begin drawing up a plan would be accepted at the conference, although it does not require the formal approval of the summit, which operates by unanimous agreement and can be disrupted by special interests. COP experts have indicated they think there could be backing for such a idea from about 60 nations, but there are thought to be at least forty against. A total of 195 countries represented at the talks.

“Despite being the root cause of climate change, fossil fuels are about the most divisive subject there is within the international climate talks, so to see a chunky coalition of nations publicly backing a path to achieving worldwide phaseout is in itself pretty groundbreaking.”

“In simple terms, there’s no route to a world where warming stays below 1.5 degrees in which countries cannot to talk about ending fossil fuel use.”

“We need this wording for real in this conversation. It’s quite stupid that we discuss everything but then when the main issue are the actual problem.”

Discussions continued on the weekend on four outstanding issues that have still not been included into the formal agenda: commerce, openness, finance and how to address the shortfall between the carbon reduction countries have proposed and those required to keep to the 1.5-degree warming target.

A COP30 chair pledged a “note” that would address these issues, after consultations – which have been underway since the start of the week – were unresolved. He urged nations to adopt the “mutirão” attitude, referring to one of cooperation and constructive dialogue.

Work on other substantive topics – including adaptation to the impacts of the climate crisis, the fair shift for those impacted by the move to a green economic system and how to strengthen institutional capacity in developing countries – carried on constructively, the host said.

Brazil’s lead representative stated the technical phase of the summit proceedings was nearing the end, and the political stage – when ministers who have the authority to alter their nations' positions arrive – was starting.