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Brazil’s climate chief, Marina Silva, has urged all nations to demonstrate the bravery needed to address the imperative of a global transition away from fossil fuels, labeling the creation of a roadmap as an “ethical” response to the climate crisis.

The minister stressed, however, that participation in this process would be optional and “independently decided” for willing governments.

The topic remains one of the most contentious matters at the COP30 in Brazil, with countries split over whether and in what way such a strategy can be addressed. As the host, Brazil has maintained a balanced position on what can be included on the formal schedule.

The official expressed support for the possibility of a roadmap, without directly committing Brazil to it. She remarked: “In times we have a situation that is very challenging, it is good that we have a guide. But the map does not force us to travel, or to advance.”

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

Scores of nations gathered in the host city for the UN climate summit, which is starting its second week, are seeking to determine how a worldwide transition of oil, gas, and coal could be implemented. They hope to advance a historic agreement reached two years ago at a previous UN summit to “move away from non-renewable energy sources.”

The pledge lacked a timetable or specifics on how it could be realized, and although it was passed unanimously, some nations have later tried to back away from the pledge. 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 mention of the transition away from fossil fuels in the final agreement of that conference.

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

She won over the nation's leader, who made public reference repeatedly to the need to “shift from reliance on traditional energy” at the global leaders' meeting that came before the conference, and at the opening of the summit.

“This is something that we know at some point had to be raised, because it is the sole way to address the issue from the root,” Marina Silva said. “We acknowledge that it is challenging, and we must not sell unrealistic expectations. Raising the topic is courageous, and I wish [to see] this bravery from everyone, from producers and using countries.”

Brazil had not initiated the call for a transition, she clarified, because that had been initiated at COP28. Rather, it was allowing the discussions to occur in accordance with what some countries desired. “We know these topics are delicate. We will give the opportunity to talk about it,” the minister added.

Time is insufficient at COP30 to create a detailed plan, a process Silva called could take a number of years because numerous countries faced complex challenges around dependence on carbon-based energy, or aimed to use the proceeds from exporting oil and gas to finance their development.

“The country brings up the topic, because Brazil is simultaneously a producing nation and user,” the minister noted. “But Brazil is unique, because it, if it wants to, need not depend on fossil fuels. We have to recognise that there are certain nations that depend on carbon energy in their economies and lack easy solutions, and some where oil and gas are the foundation of their economic structure.

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

If the pledge gains sufficient backing, COP30 could establish a platform in which the process of drawing up a strategy to the transition could start.

The endeavor would involve discussions with all participating countries to the UN climate treaty and criteria for how the initiative would unfold, Silva explained. “Once we have criteria, a governance structure can be drawn up; after we have a plan, and establish safeguards to be able to build trust in the process, I am confident that with these elements we can turn good ideas into steps that are clearer, and more tangible.”

It is uncertain that a proposal to begin developing a roadmap would win approval at the conference, even if it does not require the formal consent of the conference, which operates by unanimous agreement and can be hijacked by particular groups. COP analysts have suggested they believe there could be support for such a idea from about 60 countries, but there are thought to be at least 40 against. A total of 195 countries participating at the negotiations.

“Despite being the root cause of global warming, fossil fuels are about the most divisive subject there is within the international climate talks, so to see a chunky group of countries openly backing a path to realizing global phaseout is in itself pretty groundbreaking.”

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

“We need this language for actual in this conversation. It’s highly illogical that we talk about everything but then when fossil fuels are the actual challenge.”

Negotiations continued on the weekend on four unresolved issues that have still not been included into the official agenda: trade, openness, funding and how to address the shortfall between the emissions cuts countries have planned and those needed to hold to the 1.5-degree temperature target.

The summit president pledged a “document” that would cover these matters, after discussions – which have been going on since the start of the week – were inconclusive. The official urged nations to adopt the “mutirão” attitude, referring to one of collaboration and constructive dialogue.

Work on other substantive issues – including adjustment to the impacts of the climate crisis, the just transition for those impacted by the move to a green economy and how to build governance capabilities in developing countries – carried on productively, the presidency reported.

The host nation's lead representative stated the technical part of the summit process was approaching completion, and the high-level stage – when ministers who have the authority to change their nations' positions join – was starting.