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Brazil’s climate chief, Marina Silva, has urged every country to demonstrate the courage needed to confront the necessity of a global transition away from fossil fuels, labeling the development of a detailed plan as an “ethical” response to the climate crisis.

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

The topic stands as one of the most debated matters at the UN climate summit in the host country, with nations split over whether and how such a roadmap can be discussed. Hosting the event, Brazil has adopted a carefully neutral stance on what can be included on the formal agenda.

Silva voiced approval for the possibility of a plan, though not directly committing Brazil to it. She stated: “When we have a terrain that is very challenging, it is helpful that we have a guide. But the guide does not force us to travel, or to climb.”

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

Scores of nations meeting in Belém for the global climate conference, which is entering its second week, are aiming to determine how a worldwide phaseout of fossil fuels could be implemented. They hope to advance a landmark agreement made two years ago at COP28 to “transition away from fossil fuels.”

That pledge lacked a timetable or specifics on how it could be realized, and even though it was adopted unanimously, some nations have since attempted to back away from the pledge. Efforts last year to expand on its real-world meaning were blocked by resistance from oil-dependent nations at COP29.

As a result, there was no reference of the shift away from fossil fuels in the outcome of that conference.

For these reasons, the host has been cautious of demands by some nations to place the phaseout on the schedule for COP30. But the minister has worked hard behind the scenes to make sure the topic could be discussed at the conference apart from the official program.

She convinced Brazil’s leader, who made public reference repeatedly to the need to “shift from dependence on traditional energy” at the global leaders' meeting that came before COP30, and at the opening of the summit.

“The issue is something that we understand at some point had to be put forward, because it is the only way to address the issue from the source,” the minister explained. “We recognise that it is challenging, and we cannot sell unrealistic expectations. Bringing up the subject is brave, and I hope [to see] this courage from everyone, from producers and consumers.”

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

Time is insufficient at COP30 to create a detailed plan, a task Silva said could take several years because numerous nations confronted complicated challenges around dependence on fossil fuels, or wanted to use the revenue from exporting oil and gas to fund their development.

“Brazil brings up the subject, because Brazil is both a producer and consumer,” she noted. “But Brazil is different, because it, if it wants to, need not rely on fossil fuels. We have to recognise that there are certain nations that rely on carbon energy in their economic systems and don’t have easy alternatives, and others where fossil fuels are the basis of their economy.

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

Should the pledge receives sufficient support, the summit could set up a platform in which the work of creating a roadmap to the transition could begin.

The endeavor would involve dialogue with every participating countries to the UN framework convention on climate change and criteria for how the initiative would proceed, Silva explained. “After we have standards, a management framework can be drawn up; once we have a plan, and establish safeguards to be able to build confidence in the system, I am confident that with these elements we can transform good ideas into steps that are more defined, and more concrete.”

There is no guarantee that a proposal to begin developing a plan would be accepted at COP30, although it may not need the formal consent of the conference, which proceeds by unanimous agreement and can be hijacked by special interests. Climate experts have indicated they think there could be backing for such a proposal from about 60 countries, but there are thought to be at least 40 against. There are 195 countries represented at the talks.

“In spite of being the primary source of global warming, fossil fuels are about the most contentious topic there is within the UN negotiations, so to see a chunky coalition of nations openly backing a path to realizing global phaseout is in itself pretty groundbreaking.”

“Put simply, there’s no path to a world where warming remains below 1.5C in which countries cannot to discuss ending fossil fuel use.”

“We require this wording for real in this discussion. It’s quite stupid that we discuss all topics but then when the main issue are the real problem.”

Negotiations continued on the weekend on four outstanding issues that have still not been included into the official agenda: commerce, transparency, finance and how to address the shortfall between the emissions cuts countries have proposed and those needed to keep to the 1.5-degree temperature target.

The COP30 president promised a “document” that would cover these issues, after consultations – which have been underway since the start of the week – were inconclusive. The official urged nations to embrace the “mutirão” spirit, referring to one of cooperation and positive dialogue.

Progress on additional key topics – such as adaptation to the effects of the climate crisis, the just transition for those affected by the move to a green economy and how to strengthen institutional capacity in less developed nations – carried on productively, the host reported.

Brazil’s lead representative said the detailed part of the COP process was approaching the end, and the high-level stage – when government leaders who have the power to change their countries’ positions join – was starting.