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The environment minister, Marina Silva, has called on every country to show the courage needed to address the imperative of a global transition away from fossil fuels, labeling the creation of a roadmap as an “moral” answer to the global warming emergency.

The minister stressed, however, that participation in this process would be voluntary and “self-determined” for willing nations.

The topic stands as one of the most contentious matters at the UN climate summit in the host country, with countries split over whether and how such a strategy can be discussed. Hosting the event, the nation has maintained a balanced stance on what can be included on the official agenda.

The official expressed support for the potential of a roadmap, though not explicitly committing the country to it. The minister 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 advance.”

Speaking further, she added: “The roadmap is an response to our scientific knowledge [of the climate crisis]. It is an moral response.”

Dozens of nations meeting in the host city for the UN climate summit, which is entering its second week, are aiming to establish how a worldwide transition of fossil fuels could be implemented. They hope to advance a landmark resolution made two years ago at COP28 to “move away from fossil fuels.”

That commitment had no a schedule or details on the way it could be achieved, and although it was passed by all, some nations have later attempted to disavow the pledge. Efforts last year to expand on its real-world implications were blocked by opposition from oil-dependent nations at COP29.

As a result, there was no reference of the shift away from carbon fuels in the final agreement of COP29.

Because of this, the host has been wary of calls by certain nations to place the transition on the schedule for the current summit. But the minister has strived in private to make sure the topic could be discussed at the summit apart from the formal program.

She convinced the nation's leader, who gave public reference repeatedly to the need to “move away from dependence on traditional energy” at the summit of world leaders that came before the conference, and at the start of the summit.

“The issue is something that we know at some point had to be put forward, because it is the only way to address the issue from the source,” the minister said. “We acknowledge that it is challenging, and we cannot offer unrealistic expectations. Raising the topic is brave, and I hope [to see] this bravery from everyone, from producers and consumers.”

The nation had not started the push for a transition, the minister said, because that had been initiated at the earlier summit. Rather, it was allowing the discussions to take place in accordance with what certain countries wished. “We understand these subjects are delicate. We will give the opportunity to talk about it,” she added.

There is not enough time at COP30 to create a detailed plan, a task the minister called could take a number of years because numerous countries confronted complex issues around dependence on fossil fuels, or aimed to use the revenue from selling oil and gas to fund their development.

“The country raises the subject, because Brazil is simultaneously a producing nation and user,” she said. “But Brazil is different, because Brazil, if it wants to, does not have to rely on fossil fuels. We have to understand that there are certain nations that rely on carbon energy in their economies and lack easy solutions, and others where fossil fuels are the basis of their economy.

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

If the pledge receives sufficient support, the summit could set up a forum in which the work of drawing up a roadmap to the transition could begin.

This process would require dialogue with all signatory nations to the UN framework convention on climate change and criteria for how the process would unfold, Silva explained. “After we have criteria, a management framework can be developed; after we have a plan, and establish protections to be able to build trust in the process, I am confident that with these elements we can transform positive concepts into steps that are more defined, and more concrete.”

There is no guarantee that a suggestion to start developing a roadmap would be accepted at COP30, even if it does not require the formal consent of the summit, which operates by consensus and can be hijacked by particular groups. Climate experts have suggested they think there could be support for such a idea from about sixty nations, but there are thought to be at least forty opposed. There are 195 countries represented at the talks.

“In spite of being the root cause of global warming, fossil fuels are about the most contentious topic there is within the international climate talks, so to see a sizable group of nations openly supporting a path to achieving global phaseout is in itself pretty groundbreaking.”

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

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

Discussions continued on Saturday on several unresolved topics that have not yet been included into the official agenda: trade, openness, funding and how to address the gap between the emissions cuts nations have planned and those needed to keep to the 1.5-degree warming limit.

The COP30 chair promised a “note” that would address these matters, after discussions – which have been going on since Monday – were inconclusive. He called on nations to adopt the “mutirão” attitude, referring to one of collaboration and constructive dialogue.

Progress on other substantive issues – including adaptation to the effects of the climate emergency, the fair shift for those impacted by the transition to a green economy and how to build governance capabilities in developing countries – carried on constructively, the host reported.

Brazil’s lead representative said the detailed phase of the summit process was approaching completion, and the political stage – when government leaders who have the power to alter their nations' positions arrive – was starting.