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Brazil’s environment minister, Marina Silva, has called on all nations to demonstrate the bravery needed to address the necessity of a worldwide transition away from fossil fuels, labeling the development of a detailed plan as an “moral” answer to the global warming emergency.

The minister stressed, however, that involvement in this endeavor would be optional and “independently decided” for interested nations.

This issue stands as one of the most debated subjects at the COP30 in Brazil, with nations split over if and in what way such a roadmap can be discussed. As the host, Brazil has maintained a carefully neutral position on what can be included on the official agenda.

The official expressed approval for the possibility of a roadmap, though not explicitly committing Brazil to it. She stated: “When we have a situation that is very challenging, it is helpful that we have a guide. But the map does not force us to proceed, or to climb.”

Speaking further, the minister noted: “The roadmap is an answer to our scientific understanding [of the climate crisis]. It is an moral answer.”

Dozens of countries meeting in the host city for the global climate conference, which is entering its second week, are seeking to determine how a worldwide phaseout of oil, gas, and coal could be implemented. They hope to build on a historic agreement made two years ago at COP28 to “move away from non-renewable energy sources.”

The commitment lacked a timetable or specifics on how it could be realized, and even though it was passed by all, some nations have since attempted to disavow the promise. Attempts last year to elaborate on its real-world implications were stymied by resistance from petrostates at another UN summit.

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

For these reasons, the host has been wary of calls by some countries 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 outside the official agenda.

The minister convinced the nation's leader, and he gave mention three times to the need to “shift from reliance on traditional energy” at the global leaders' meeting that came before COP30, and at the opening of the event.

“The issue is something that we understand at a certain time had to be put forward, because it is the sole way to face the problem from the source,” the minister explained. “We recognise that it is not easy, and we cannot offer unrealistic expectations. Raising the subject is brave, and I hope [to see] this bravery from everyone, from producers and consumers.”

The nation had not initiated the push for a transition, the minister clarified, because that had been initiated at the earlier summit. Rather, it was enabling the discussions to take place in accordance with what certain countries wished. “We know these subjects are sensitive. We will provide the opportunity to discuss it,” the minister said.

Time is insufficient at the summit to draw up a roadmap, a task the minister said could take several years because many nations faced complicated issues around dependence on fossil fuels, or wanted to use the proceeds from selling fossil fuels to finance their development.

“The country raises the topic, because it is simultaneously a producer and consumer,” she noted. “But the nation is unique, because Brazil, if it chooses to, does not have to depend on fossil fuels. We have to recognise that there are some that depend on fossil fuels in their economies and lack easy solutions, and others where fossil fuels are the foundation of their economy.

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

Should the proposal receives sufficient support, COP30 could establish a platform in which the work of drawing up a roadmap to the transition could begin.

This process would require dialogue with every signatory countries to the UN climate treaty and criteria for how the process would proceed, the minister said. “After we have standards, a governance structure can be developed; once we have a strategy, and establish safeguards to be able to establish confidence in the process, I am confident that with these components we can transform positive concepts into steps that are more defined, and more concrete.”

There is no guarantee that a proposal to start developing a roadmap would be accepted at COP30, even if it may not need the formal approval of the summit, which operates by unanimous agreement and can be hijacked by particular groups. Climate analysts have suggested they believe there could be support for such a proposal from about sixty countries, but there are believed to be at least 40 against. There are one hundred ninety-five countries represented at the negotiations.

“In spite of being the primary source of climate change, carbon-based energy are about the most contentious topic there is within the UN negotiations, so to see a sizable group of countries publicly supporting a path to realizing global phaseout is in itself pretty groundbreaking.”

“Put simply, there’s no path to a planet where warming remains below 1.5 degrees in which countries cannot to discuss fossil fuel phaseout.”

“We require this language for actual in this discussion. It’s quite stupid that we talk about everything but then when the main issue are the real challenge.”

Negotiations continued on the weekend on four outstanding issues that have still not been included into the formal schedule: trade, openness, finance and how to address the gap between the emissions cuts countries have planned and those required to hold to the 1.5C warming target.

The COP30 president pledged a “document” that would address these issues, after consultations – which have been going on since the start of the week – were unresolved. The official urged countries to adopt the “mutirão” attitude, referring to one of cooperation and constructive discussion.

Progress on additional key issues – including adaptation to the effects of the climate crisis, the just transition for those impacted by the transition to a green economic system and how to build governance capabilities in developing countries – proceeded productively, the host said.

Brazil’s lead representative stated the detailed part of the summit proceedings was nearing completion, and the high-level stage – when government leaders who have the authority to change their nations' positions arrive – was beginning.