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The environment minister, the minister, has called on every country to show the bravery needed to address the necessity of a global transition away from fossil fuels, labeling the creation of a detailed plan as an “ethical” answer to the climate crisis.

She emphasized, however, that involvement in this endeavor 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 the host country, with countries split over if and in what way such a roadmap can be addressed. As the host, the nation has maintained a balanced stance on what can be placed on the official schedule.

The official expressed support for the possibility of a roadmap, without directly pledging the country to it. She stated: “When we have a terrain that is quite grim, it is helpful that we have a map. But the map does not compel us to proceed, or to climb.”

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

Scores of countries meeting in Belém for the global climate conference, which is entering its next phase, are seeking to determine how a global transition of oil, gas, and coal could work. These nations aim to build on a historic resolution made two years ago at COP28 to “move away from non-renewable energy sources.”

That commitment had no a timetable or specifics on how it could be realized, and even though it was adopted by all, some nations have since tried to back away from the promise. Efforts last year to expand on its real-world meaning were stymied by resistance from petrostates at another UN summit.

As a result, there was no mention of the shift away from fossil fuels in the outcome of COP29.

Because of this, Brazil has been cautious of calls by some countries to include the transition on the agenda for the current summit. But Silva has strived in private to ensure the topic could be discussed at the conference apart from the formal program.

The minister convinced Brazil’s president, who made mention repeatedly to the need to “move away from reliance on fossil fuels” at the summit of world leaders that preceded COP30, and at the start of the event.

“The issue is something that we know at a certain time had to be put forward, because it is the sole way to address the problem from the source,” Marina Silva said. “We acknowledge that it is not easy, and we cannot sell unrealistic expectations. Raising the topic is brave, and I wish [to see] this courage from all, from producers and consumers.”

The nation had not started the call for a transition, she clarified, because that had been done at the earlier summit. Instead, it was allowing the discussions to occur in line with what certain nations desired. “We understand these topics are delicate. We will give the opportunity to talk about it,” the minister added.

Time is insufficient at COP30 to draw up a roadmap, a task Silva called could take a number of years because many nations faced complex challenges around dependence on fossil fuels, or aimed to use the proceeds from exporting oil and gas to fund their development.

“Brazil brings up the subject, because Brazil is simultaneously a producing nation and consumer,” she noted. “But the nation is unique, because it, if it wants to, need not depend on non-renewables. We have to recognise that there are certain nations that rely on carbon energy in their economic systems and lack easy solutions, and others where oil and gas are the foundation of their economy.

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

Should the proposal gains sufficient support, COP30 could establish a platform in which the work of drawing up a roadmap to the phaseout could start.

This process would involve dialogue with all signatory nations to the UN climate treaty and criteria for how the initiative would unfold, Silva explained. “Once we have standards, a management framework can be drawn up; once we have a plan, and create protections to be able to build confidence in the process, I believe that with these components we can transform positive concepts into actions that are more defined, and more concrete.”

It is uncertain that a proposal to begin drawing up a plan would be accepted at the conference, even if it may not need the formal consent of the conference, which proceeds by consensus and can be hijacked by special interests. Climate analysts have indicated they believe there could be backing for such a idea from about 60 countries, but there are thought to be at least forty opposed. There are 195 nations represented at the talks.

“Despite being the primary source of global warming, 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 realizing global transition is in itself pretty groundbreaking.”

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

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

Negotiations carried on on the weekend on several outstanding topics that have still not been incorporated into the official schedule: commerce, transparency, funding and how to address the gap between the carbon reduction countries have proposed and those needed to hold to the 1.5-degree warming target.

A COP30 chair pledged a “document” that would cover these issues, after discussions – which have been going on since the start of the week – were unresolved. He called on countries to adopt the “mutirão” attitude, meaning one of collaboration and positive dialogue.

Work on additional key topics – such as adjustment to the effects of the climate emergency, the just transition for those affected by the transition to a green economy and how to strengthen governance capabilities in less developed nations – carried on constructively, the host said.

Brazil’s chief negotiator stated the detailed phase of the COP process was approaching the end, and the political stage – when ministers who have the authority to change their countries’ stances join – was beginning.