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The climate chief, the minister, has urged all nations to show the bravery needed to confront the necessity of a worldwide transition away from fossil fuels, labeling the creation of a roadmap as an “ethical” answer to the global warming emergency.

The minister emphasized, however, that participation in this process would be optional and “self-determined” for willing governments.

This issue remains one of the most contentious subjects at the COP30 in Brazil, with nations divided over if and in what way such a strategy can be addressed. Hosting the event, the nation has maintained a balanced position on what can be included on the official agenda.

The official expressed support for the potential of a roadmap, without 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 map does not compel us to proceed, or to climb.”

In an interview, she noted: “The roadmap is an answer to our scientific knowledge [of the climate crisis]. It is an moral answer.”

Scores of countries meeting in the host city for the UN climate summit, which is starting its next phase, are aiming to establish how a global phaseout of oil, gas, and coal could work. These nations aim to advance a historic agreement made two years ago at a previous UN summit to “move away from fossil fuels.”

That pledge had no a timetable or specifics on how it could be achieved, and even though it was passed by all, some countries have since attempted to disavow the pledge. Efforts last year to elaborate on its practical meaning were blocked by resistance from petrostates at another UN summit.

Consequently, there was no reference of the transition away from fossil fuels in the final agreement of COP29.

Because of this, the host has been wary of demands by certain countries to place the transition on the schedule for COP30. But Silva has strived behind the scenes to ensure the topic could be talked about at the summit outside the official program.

She convinced the nation's president, and he gave public reference repeatedly to the need to “shift from dependence on traditional energy” at the summit of world leaders that came before COP30, and at the opening of the event.

“This is a matter that we understand at some point had to be raised, because it is the only way to face the problem from the source,” the minister explained. “We recognise that it is not easy, and we cannot sell unrealistic expectations. Raising the subject is brave, and I hope [to see] this bravery from all, from producing nations and using countries.”

The nation had not initiated the call for a phaseout, the minister clarified, because that had been done at COP28. Instead, it was allowing the discussions to occur in accordance with what some nations wished. “We know these topics are sensitive. We will provide the opportunity to talk about it,” the minister added.

There is not enough time at COP30 to create a detailed plan, a process the minister called could take a number of years because numerous nations confronted complicated issues around dependence on fossil fuels, or wanted to use the revenue from selling fossil fuels to finance their economic growth.

“Brazil raises the subject, because it is both a producer and consumer,” the minister noted. “But Brazil is different, because it, if it wants to, need not depend on fossil fuels. We have to understand that there are certain nations that rely on carbon energy in their economies and don’t have easy alternatives, and some where fossil fuels are the basis of their economy.

“To be fair is to be fair to all, but the fundamental, basic fairness is to avoid being unjust to the Earth, because it is our home.”

If the pledge gains sufficient support, COP30 could set up a forum in which the process of drawing up a strategy to the transition could start.

The endeavor would involve dialogue with all participating countries to the UN climate treaty and criteria for how the process would unfold, Silva explained. “Once we have standards, a governance structure can be drawn up; once we have a strategy, and establish safeguards to be able to establish confidence in the system, I am confident that with these elements we can transform good ideas into steps that are clearer, and more tangible.”

There is no guarantee that a proposal to start drawing up a plan would be accepted at the conference, although it does not require the formal consent of the summit, which proceeds by unanimous agreement and can be hijacked by particular groups. Climate experts have indicated they believe there could be backing for such a idea from about 60 countries, but there are thought to be at least forty opposed. There are 195 nations participating at the talks.

“In spite of being the root cause of global warming, carbon-based energy are about the most contentious subject there is within the international climate talks, so to see a sizable coalition of countries publicly backing a route to realizing global phaseout is in itself pretty groundbreaking.”

“In simple terms, there’s no path to a planet where temperature rise stays below 1.5C in which countries aren’t able to talk about ending fossil fuel use.”

“We require this wording for real in this discussion. It’s highly illogical that we discuss everything but that when the main issue are the real challenge.”

Discussions continued on the weekend on several outstanding topics that have not yet been included into the formal agenda: trade, openness, finance and how to address the gap between the emissions cuts countries have proposed and those needed to keep to the 1.5-degree temperature limit.

A COP30 chair pledged a “document” that would address these matters, after discussions – which have been going on since Monday – were inconclusive. The official called on countries to embrace the “mutirão” attitude, meaning one of cooperation and constructive dialogue.

Work on additional key issues – including adjustment to the impacts of the climate emergency, the fair shift for those affected by the transition to a low-carbon economic system and how to build institutional capacity in less developed nations – proceeded constructively, the presidency reported.

Brazil’s chief negotiator stated the detailed part of the COP proceedings was approaching completion, and the political stage – when government leaders who have the authority to change their nations' stances arrive – was starting.