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The climate chief, Marina Silva, has called on every country to show the bravery needed to address the imperative of a worldwide transition away from fossil fuels, describing the development of a detailed plan as an “ethical” response to the climate crisis.

She emphasized, however, that involvement in this endeavor would be optional and “self-determined” for interested governments.

The topic stands as one of the most contentious matters at the UN climate summit in the host country, with nations divided over if and how such a strategy can be addressed. As the host, Brazil has maintained a carefully neutral stance on which items can be placed on the formal agenda.

Silva voiced approval for the possibility of a roadmap, though not explicitly committing Brazil to it. The minister stated: “When we have a terrain that is very challenging, it is helpful that we have a map. But the guide does not force us to travel, or to advance.”

Speaking further, the minister noted: “The map is an response to our scientific knowledge [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 establish how a worldwide phaseout of fossil fuels could work. They hope to build on a landmark resolution reached two years ago at COP28 to “move away from non-renewable energy sources.”

The pledge lacked a timetable or details on how it could be achieved, and although it was adopted unanimously, some nations have later attempted to back away from the promise. Attempts last year to expand on its practical implications were blocked by opposition from oil-dependent nations at another UN summit.

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

For these reasons, the host has been wary of demands by certain countries to include the transition on the schedule for the current summit. But Silva has worked hard behind the scenes to ensure the topic could be talked about at the summit outside the official program.

She convinced Brazil’s president, and he gave public reference repeatedly to the need to “move away from dependence on traditional energy” at the global leaders' meeting that came before COP30, and at the start of the event.

“This 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 root,” the minister explained. “We recognise that it is challenging, and we cannot offer false hopes. Bringing up the subject is brave, and I hope [to see] this courage from all, from producing nations and using countries.”

Brazil had not initiated the push for a phaseout, the minister said, because that had been done at COP28. Rather, it was enabling the talks to occur in accordance with what certain nations wished. “We understand these subjects are sensitive. We will give the chance to talk about it,” she added.

There is not enough time at COP30 to draw up a detailed plan, a process the minister said could take a number of years because many nations faced complex issues around reliance on carbon-based energy, or aimed to use the revenue from exporting fossil fuels to fund their economic growth.

“The country raises the subject, because it is both a producing nation and consumer,” she said. “But Brazil is unique, because it, if it chooses to, does not have to rely on fossil fuels. We have to understand that there are some that depend on fossil fuels in their economies and don’t have easy solutions, and some where oil and gas are the basis of their economic structure.

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

Should the pledge gains sufficient support, COP30 could set up a forum in which the process of drawing up a roadmap to the transition could start.

The process would require discussions with every participating countries to the UN climate treaty and guidelines for how the process would unfold, the minister explained. “Once we have criteria, a management framework can be developed; after we have a plan, and create safeguards to be able to build confidence in the system, I am confident that with these elements we can turn good ideas into actions that are clearer, and more concrete.”

It is uncertain that a suggestion to start developing a plan would be accepted at COP30, although it may not need the official consent of the conference, which proceeds by unanimous agreement and can be hijacked by special interests. COP experts have indicated they believe there could be support for such a proposal from about 60 nations, but there are believed to be at least forty against. There are 195 countries represented at the negotiations.

“Despite being the root cause of climate change, carbon-based energy are about the most divisive subject there is within the UN negotiations, so to see a chunky group of nations publicly supporting a path to achieving worldwide phaseout is in itself pretty groundbreaking.”

“In simple terms, there’s no path to a planet where temperature rise remains below 1.5 degrees in which countries aren’t able to discuss ending fossil fuel use.”

“We need this language for actual in this conversation. It’s quite stupid that we discuss all topics but then when fossil fuels are the real problem.”

Discussions continued on the weekend on several outstanding issues that have still not been included into the formal agenda: commerce, transparency, funding and how to address the shortfall between the emissions cuts nations have proposed and those required to hold to the 1.5-degree warming target.

The COP30 president promised a “document” that would address these matters, after discussions – which have been underway since Monday – were unresolved. He called on countries to adopt the “mutirão” spirit, meaning one of collaboration and constructive discussion.

Progress on additional key topics – including adjustment to the impacts of the climate emergency, the just transition for those affected by the transition to a low-carbon economy and how to strengthen institutional capacity in developing countries – proceeded productively, the presidency reported.

Brazil’s lead representative stated the technical part of the COP proceedings was approaching the end, and the political phase – when ministers who have the power to alter their nations' positions arrive – was starting.