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The climate chief, the minister, has urged all nations to show the courage needed to address the imperative of a global transition away from fossil fuels, describing 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 “self-determined” for interested nations.

This issue stands as one of the most debated matters at the UN climate summit in Brazil, with countries split over if and in what way such a strategy can be addressed. As the host, Brazil has maintained a balanced stance on which items can be included on the formal schedule.

Silva expressed approval for the potential of a plan, without explicitly committing Brazil to it. The minister stated: “When we have a terrain that is very challenging, it is helpful that we have a guide. But the map does not force us to proceed, or to advance.”

In an interview, the minister noted: “The roadmap is an answer to our scientific understanding [of the climate emergency]. It is an moral response.”

Scores of countries gathered in Belém for the global climate conference, which is starting its next phase, are aiming to determine how a global transition of fossil fuels could work. They hope to advance a historic resolution reached two years ago at COP28 to “move away from non-renewable energy sources.”

That pledge lacked a schedule or specifics on the way it could be achieved, and although it was passed unanimously, several countries have since tried to back away from the pledge. Efforts last year to expand on its real-world implications were stymied by resistance from oil-dependent nations at another UN summit.

Consequently, there was no mention of the shift away from carbon fuels in the outcome of COP29.

For these reasons, Brazil has been cautious of calls by certain countries to place the phaseout on the agenda for the current summit. But the minister has worked hard behind the scenes to make sure the topic could be discussed at the conference outside the formal program.

The minister convinced Brazil’s president, and he made public reference repeatedly to the need to “move away from dependence on fossil fuels” at the summit of world leaders that preceded COP30, and at the opening of the summit.

“This is a matter that we know at a certain time had to be raised, because it is the sole way to address the issue from the source,” the minister explained. “We recognise that it is challenging, and we cannot offer false hopes. Raising the topic is courageous, and I wish [to see] this bravery from everyone, from producing nations and using countries.”

Brazil had not started the push for a phaseout, the minister said, because that had been initiated at COP28. Rather, it was enabling the discussions to occur in accordance with what some nations wished. “We know these topics are delicate. We will provide the opportunity to discuss it,” she said.

Time is insufficient at COP30 to draw up a detailed plan, a task Silva called could take several years because many nations faced complex issues around dependence on carbon-based energy, or wanted to use the revenue from exporting oil and gas to fund their economic growth.

“The country raises the subject, because it is both a producer and consumer,” the minister noted. “But the nation is different, because Brazil, if it wants to, does not have to depend on non-renewables. We have to recognise that there are certain nations that rely on fossil fuels in their economic systems and don’t have simple solutions, and others where oil and gas are the foundation of their economic structure.

“To be fair is to be just to everyone, but the fundamental, basic justice is not being unfair to the Earth, because it is our home.”

Should the pledge gains sufficient support, the summit could set up a platform in which the work of drawing up a strategy to the transition could start.

The process would involve dialogue with all signatory nations to the UN climate treaty and guidelines for how the initiative would unfold, the minister explained. “After we have criteria, a management framework can be developed; after we have a plan, and establish safeguards to be able to establish confidence in the system, I am confident that with these components we can transform good ideas into actions that are clearer, and more tangible.”

It is uncertain that a suggestion to begin drawing up a roadmap would be accepted at COP30, although it does not require the formal approval of the summit, which operates by unanimous agreement and can be disrupted by special interests. COP analysts have indicated they think there could be backing for such a proposal from about sixty nations, but there are thought to be at least 40 opposed. A total of one hundred ninety-five countries represented at the talks.

“In spite of being the primary source of global warming, fossil fuels are about the most divisive topic there is within the international climate talks, so to see a sizable group of countries publicly backing a path to realizing worldwide transition is in itself pretty groundbreaking.”

“In simple terms, there’s no route to a planet where warming stays below 1.5C in which countries aren’t able to discuss ending fossil fuel use.”

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

Discussions continued on Saturday on several unresolved issues that have not yet been incorporated into the official agenda: commerce, transparency, funding and how to tackle the gap between the emissions cuts countries have proposed and those required to keep to the 1.5-degree warming limit.

A summit chair pledged a “document” that would cover these matters, after consultations – which have been going on since Monday – were unresolved. He urged countries to adopt the “mutirão” attitude, referring to one of collaboration and constructive dialogue.

Work on additional substantive topics – including adjustment to the effects of the climate crisis, the just transition for those impacted by the move to a low-carbon economy and how to strengthen governance capabilities in developing countries – proceeded productively, the presidency reported.

The host nation's lead representative said the technical phase of the COP proceedings was approaching completion, and the high-level stage – when ministers who have the authority to change their countries’ positions join – was beginning.