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Brazil’s environment minister, the minister, has called on every country to demonstrate the courage needed to address the necessity 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 involvement in this endeavor would be optional and “self-determined” for willing governments.

This issue stands as one of the most contentious matters at the COP30 in the host country, with nations divided over if and in what way such a strategy can be addressed. Hosting the event, Brazil has maintained a carefully neutral position on which items can be included on the formal agenda.

Silva expressed approval for the potential of a roadmap, without explicitly pledging 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 force us to travel, or to advance.”

Speaking further, the minister noted: “The map is an response to our scientific understanding [of the climate emergency]. It is an ethical answer.”

Scores of nations gathered in the host city for the global climate conference, which is entering its second week, are seeking to determine how a global transition of oil, gas, and coal could work. They aim to advance a historic agreement made two years ago at COP28 to “transition away from fossil fuels.”

The pledge lacked a schedule or specifics on how it could be achieved, and although it was passed by all, some countries have since attempted to disavow the pledge. Attempts last year to elaborate on its practical meaning were blocked by resistance from oil-dependent nations at COP29.

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

Because of this, the host has been cautious of calls by some nations to include the transition on the agenda for the current summit. But the minister has strived behind the scenes to ensure the topic could be discussed at the summit apart from the official agenda.

She won over the nation's leader, and he made public reference repeatedly to the need to “shift from dependence on fossil fuels” at the summit of world leaders that preceded the conference, and at the opening of the summit.

“This is a matter that we know at some point had to be raised, because it is the only way to face the issue from the source,” Marina Silva said. “We acknowledge that it is not easy, and we must not offer unrealistic expectations. Bringing up the subject is courageous, and I wish [to see] this courage from everyone, from producers and using countries.”

The nation had not started the call for a phaseout, she said, because that had been initiated at the earlier summit. Rather, it was enabling the talks to occur in line with what certain countries desired. “We understand these topics are delicate. We will provide the chance to talk about it,” the minister said.

There is not enough time at COP30 to draw up a roadmap, a process Silva said could take a number of years because numerous nations confronted complicated challenges around reliance on fossil fuels, or wanted to use the proceeds from exporting oil and gas to fund their development.

“The country brings up the subject, because it is both a producing nation and consumer,” the minister said. “But Brazil is different, because Brazil, if it chooses to, does not have to rely on non-renewables. We have to understand that there are certain nations that depend on carbon energy in their economies and lack easy solutions, and others where fossil fuels are the basis of their economy.

“To be fair is to be just to everyone, but the fundamental, basic justice is to avoid being unjust to the planet, because it is our home.”

Should the proposal gains sufficient backing, COP30 could set up a forum in which the process of creating a strategy to the transition could begin.

This endeavor would involve dialogue with every participating nations to the UN climate treaty and guidelines for how the initiative would proceed, the minister explained. “Once we have standards, a management framework can be developed; once we have a strategy, and establish protections to be able to build confidence in the system, I am confident that with these elements we can transform positive concepts into steps that are clearer, and more concrete.”

There is no guarantee that a proposal to start developing a plan would be accepted at the conference, although it may not need the formal consent of the summit, which operates by consensus and can be hijacked by particular groups. COP analysts have indicated they believe there could be support for such a idea from about 60 countries, but there are believed to be at least 40 opposed. A total of 195 nations represented at the negotiations.

“In spite of being the primary source of climate change, carbon-based energy are about the most divisive subject there is within the international climate talks, so to see a sizable group of nations publicly supporting a path to realizing global transition is in itself highly significant.”

“Put simply, there’s no route to a world where temperature rise remains below 1.5C in which nations aren’t able to talk about fossil fuel phaseout.”

“We require this language for actual in this discussion. It’s highly illogical that we discuss all topics but that when the main issue are the actual problem.”

Negotiations continued on the weekend on several outstanding issues that have not yet been included into the formal agenda: commerce, transparency, finance and how to address the gap between the emissions cuts nations have proposed and those required to keep to the 1.5-degree warming limit.

The COP30 president promised a “note” that would cover these issues, after consultations – which have been underway since Monday – were inconclusive. The official urged nations to adopt the “mutirão” spirit, referring to one of collaboration and positive dialogue.

Progress on other substantive topics – including adaptation to the impacts of the climate crisis, the just transition for those impacted by the move to a low-carbon economic system and how to build governance capabilities in less developed nations – proceeded productively, the presidency said.

Brazil’s chief negotiator said the detailed phase of the summit proceedings was approaching the end, and the political stage – when ministers who have the authority to change their nations' positions join – was beginning.