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The climate chief, the minister, has called on all nations to demonstrate the courage needed to confront the imperative of a global transition away from fossil fuels, labeling the development of a roadmap as an “ethical” answer to the climate crisis.

The minister stressed, though, that participation in this endeavor would be voluntary and “independently decided” for willing nations.

This issue remains one of the most debated subjects at the UN climate summit in the host country, with countries divided over whether and in what way such a roadmap can be discussed. As the host, Brazil has maintained a balanced stance on what can be placed on the formal schedule.

The official voiced support for the possibility of a plan, though not directly pledging Brazil to it. The minister stated: “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, the minister added: “The map is an response to our scientific understanding [of the climate crisis]. It is an moral response.”

Dozens of countries meeting in Belém for the global climate conference, which is starting its second week, are seeking to determine how a global phaseout of fossil fuels could be implemented. These nations aim to build on a landmark agreement reached two years ago at COP28 to “move away from fossil fuels.”

The commitment lacked a schedule or specifics on how it could be realized, and even though it was passed unanimously, several countries have later tried to back away from the pledge. Efforts last year to elaborate on its practical implications were stymied by opposition from petrostates at another UN summit.

Consequently, there was no reference of the transition away from carbon fuels in the outcome of COP29.

For these reasons, Brazil has been cautious of demands by some countries to place the transition on the agenda for COP30. But the minister has strived in private to make sure the topic could be discussed at the conference apart from the formal program.

She won over Brazil’s leader, who gave mention three times to the need to “move away from dependence on fossil fuels” at the summit of world leaders that preceded COP30, and at the start of the event.

“This is something that we understand at some point had to be raised, because it is the only way to face the problem from the root,” Marina Silva explained. “We recognise that it is challenging, and we cannot offer false hopes. Bringing up the topic is brave, and I wish [to see] this courage from everyone, from producing nations and consumers.”

Brazil had not started the call for a transition, she clarified, because that had been done at COP28. Rather, it was enabling the talks to take place in accordance with what certain nations desired. “We understand these subjects are delicate. We will give the opportunity to discuss it,” the minister said.

There is not enough time at the summit to create a roadmap, a process the minister said could take a number of years because numerous nations faced complicated challenges around dependence on carbon-based energy, or wanted to use the proceeds from selling oil and gas to fund their development.

“The country brings up the subject, because Brazil is both a producing nation and consumer,” she noted. “But Brazil is different, because it, if it wants to, need not depend on fossil fuels. We have to understand that there are some that depend on fossil fuels in their economies and lack easy solutions, and others where oil and gas are the foundation of their economic structure.

“To be just is to be just to all, but the fundamental, primordial justice is not being unjust to the Earth, because it is our shared home.”

If the proposal receives sufficient backing, COP30 could establish a forum in which the work of drawing up a strategy to the transition could begin.

The process would require discussions with every signatory countries to the UN climate treaty and guidelines for how the process would unfold, Silva explained. “Once we have standards, a governance structure can be drawn up; once we have a strategy, and create safeguards to be able to build confidence in the process, I believe that with these elements we can turn positive concepts into steps that are clearer, and more tangible.”

It is uncertain that a proposal to start developing a roadmap would win approval at COP30, even if it may not need the official approval of the summit, which operates by consensus and can be disrupted by particular groups. Climate experts have suggested they believe there could be support for such a idea from about sixty countries, but there are thought to be at least 40 against. There are 195 countries represented at the negotiations.

“In spite of being the root cause of global warming, fossil fuels are about the most divisive topic there is within the UN negotiations, so to see a sizable group of countries publicly backing a path to realizing global phaseout is in itself highly significant.”

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

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

Negotiations carried on on Saturday on several unresolved issues that have not yet been incorporated into the formal schedule: commerce, transparency, funding and how to tackle the gap between the carbon reduction countries have planned and those required to keep to the 1.5-degree warming limit.

The COP30 president pledged a “document” that would cover these matters, after consultations – which have been underway since Monday – were unresolved. The official called on nations to adopt the “mutirão” spirit, referring to one of collaboration and positive discussion.

Work on other substantive issues – such as adaptation to the impacts of the climate emergency, the fair shift for those impacted by the move to a low-carbon economic system and how to strengthen governance capabilities in less developed nations – proceeded productively, the host said.

The host nation's lead representative stated the detailed part of the COP process was approaching completion, and the high-level phase – when ministers who have the power to change their countries’ positions arrive – was starting.