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The environment minister, the minister, has urged all nations to show the courage needed to address the imperative of a global transition away from fossil fuels, describing the creation of a roadmap as an “ethical” response to the global warming emergency.

She emphasized, though, that participation in this process would be voluntary and “self-determined” for interested nations.

This issue stands as one of the most debated subjects at the UN climate summit in Brazil, with countries split over if and in what way such a roadmap can be discussed. Hosting the event, Brazil has adopted a carefully neutral position on which items can be placed on the formal schedule.

Silva voiced approval for the possibility of a roadmap, without directly committing Brazil to it. The minister remarked: “When we have a terrain that is very challenging, it is helpful that we have a guide. But the guide does not compel us to travel, or to climb.”

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

Scores of countries gathered in the host city for the UN climate summit, which is entering its next phase, are seeking to establish how a global transition of fossil fuels could work. They aim to advance a historic resolution made two years ago at a previous UN summit to “move away from fossil fuels.”

That commitment lacked a timetable or details on the way it could be achieved, and although it was adopted by all, some countries have since tried to disavow the promise. Efforts last year to expand on its real-world implications were stymied by resistance from petrostates at COP29.

As a result, there was no reference of the transition away from carbon fuels in the outcome of that conference.

For these reasons, Brazil has been cautious of demands by certain countries to include the phaseout on the agenda for the current summit. But the minister has worked hard behind the scenes to make sure the topic could be discussed at the conference apart from the official agenda.

She convinced Brazil’s leader, who made mention repeatedly to the need to “move away from dependence on fossil fuels” at the global leaders' meeting that preceded the conference, and at the start of the event.

“This is a matter that we understand at a certain time had to be put forward, because it is the only way to face the problem from the source,” Marina Silva said. “We recognise that it is challenging, and we must not offer false hopes. Bringing up the topic is brave, and I wish [to see] this courage from all, from producing nations and using countries.”

The nation had not initiated the call for a transition, she clarified, because that had been initiated at the earlier summit. Rather, it was allowing the discussions to take place in line with what some nations desired. “We understand these topics are sensitive. We will provide the opportunity to discuss it,” the minister said.

Time is insufficient at COP30 to draw up a detailed plan, a process the minister called could take several years because numerous nations confronted complicated challenges around dependence on fossil fuels, or aimed to use the revenue from exporting fossil fuels to fund their economic growth.

“The country brings up the topic, because it is simultaneously a producing nation and user,” she noted. “But Brazil is different, because it, if it chooses 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 don’t have easy solutions, and some where oil and gas are the foundation of their economic structure.

“To be just is to be just to all, but the fundamental, basic justice is not being unjust to the planet, because it is our home.”

If the pledge receives enough support, the summit could set up a forum in which the process of drawing up a strategy to the transition could start.

This process would involve dialogue with all signatory countries to the UN climate treaty and criteria for how the process would unfold, Silva explained. “Once we have criteria, a management framework can be developed; after we have a strategy, and establish safeguards to be able to establish confidence in the system, I believe that with these components we can turn positive concepts into steps that are more defined, and more concrete.”

It is uncertain that a suggestion to begin drawing up a plan would be accepted at COP30, although it does not require the formal consent of the summit, which operates by consensus and can be hijacked by special interests. COP experts have indicated they believe there could be support for such a proposal from about 60 countries, but there are thought to be at least 40 opposed. A total of 195 nations participating at the negotiations.

“In spite of being the root cause of climate change, carbon-based energy are about the most contentious topic there is within the UN negotiations, so to see a sizable coalition of nations openly supporting a path to achieving worldwide transition is in itself highly significant.”

“In simple terms, there’s no path to a world where warming stays below 1.5 degrees in which countries cannot to discuss fossil fuel phaseout.”

“We need this wording for real in this discussion. It’s quite stupid that we talk about all topics but that when the main issue are the actual challenge.”

Discussions carried on on Saturday on four unresolved issues that have still not been incorporated into the official agenda: commerce, openness, funding and how to tackle the gap between the carbon reduction nations have proposed and those required to hold to the 1.5-degree warming limit.

A summit chair promised a “document” that would address these matters, after consultations – which have been underway since Monday – were unresolved. The official urged nations to adopt the “mutirão” spirit, meaning one of collaboration and positive dialogue.

Work on additional key topics – including adaptation to the effects of the climate emergency, the fair shift for those impacted by the transition to a low-carbon economy and how to build governance capabilities in developing countries – proceeded constructively, the presidency said.

Brazil’s lead representative stated the detailed phase of the COP process was nearing the end, and the high-level stage – when ministers who have the power to change their countries’ positions join – was starting.