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The environment minister, the minister, has called on all nations to show the bravery needed to confront the necessity of a worldwide transition away from fossil fuels, labeling the development of a roadmap as an “moral” answer to the global warming emergency.

The minister emphasized, though, that participation in this endeavor would be voluntary and “self-determined” for willing governments.

This issue stands as one of the most debated matters at the UN climate summit in the host country, with countries split over if and in what way such a roadmap can be discussed. Hosting the event, the nation has adopted a balanced position on which items can be placed on the official schedule.

The official expressed support for the possibility of a roadmap, without explicitly pledging Brazil to it. The minister remarked: “In times we have a situation that is very challenging, it is helpful that we have a guide. But the guide does not compel us to travel, or to climb.”

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

Scores of countries gathered in Belém for the global climate conference, which is starting its next phase, are seeking to establish how a global transition of oil, gas, and coal could be implemented. These nations aim to build on a landmark agreement made two years ago at COP28 to “move away from fossil fuels.”

That pledge had no a timetable or specifics on the way it could be realized, and although it was adopted unanimously, some countries have later attempted to back away from the pledge. Efforts last year to elaborate on its real-world meaning were stymied by opposition from petrostates at COP29.

Consequently, there was no mention of the transition away from carbon fuels in the final agreement of that conference.

Because of this, Brazil has been cautious of demands by some nations to include the phaseout on the schedule for the current summit. But Silva has strived behind the scenes to ensure the topic could be talked about at the summit apart from the formal program.

The minister convinced the nation's leader, and he made public reference repeatedly to the need to “shift from dependence on traditional energy” at the global leaders' meeting that came before the conference, and at the start of the event.

“The issue is a matter that we know at a certain time had to be put forward, because it is the sole way to address the problem from the root,” the minister explained. “We recognise that it is challenging, and we cannot offer unrealistic expectations. Bringing up the topic is courageous, and I hope [to see] this courage from everyone, from producing nations and using countries.”

The nation had not initiated the push for a phaseout, she clarified, because that had been initiated at COP28. Instead, it was allowing the discussions to take place in line with what some nations desired. “We know these subjects are delicate. We will provide the opportunity to talk about it,” she added.

There is not enough time at COP30 to create a roadmap, a process the minister said could take a number of years because many nations faced complicated issues around dependence on fossil fuels, or wanted to use the proceeds from selling fossil fuels to finance their economic growth.

“Brazil raises the topic, because Brazil is both a producing nation and consumer,” she noted. “But Brazil is different, because Brazil, if it chooses to, does not have to rely on non-renewables. We have to understand that there are some that rely on carbon energy in their economies and don’t have simple alternatives, and some where fossil fuels are the basis of their economic structure.

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

If the proposal receives enough backing, the summit could set up a forum in which the work of drawing up a roadmap to the phaseout could begin.

The endeavor would involve dialogue with all participating countries to the UN climate treaty and criteria for how the initiative would unfold, the minister explained. “Once we have standards, a management framework can be drawn up; after we have a strategy, and create safeguards to be able to establish trust in the system, I am confident that with these elements we can turn good ideas into actions that are clearer, and more tangible.”

It is uncertain that a proposal to start developing a plan would be accepted at the conference, even if it does not require the official consent of the summit, which proceeds by consensus and can be hijacked by particular groups. Climate experts have indicated they think there could be backing for such a proposal from about 60 nations, but there are thought to be at least 40 against. A total of 195 countries participating at the talks.

“Despite being the root cause of climate change, carbon-based energy are about the most contentious subject there is within the UN negotiations, so to see a chunky coalition of countries publicly backing a route to realizing worldwide phaseout is in itself pretty groundbreaking.”

“Put simply, there’s no route to a planet where warming stays below 1.5 degrees in which countries aren’t able to discuss fossil fuel phaseout.”

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

Discussions carried on on Saturday on four unresolved topics that have not yet been incorporated into the formal agenda: commerce, openness, finance and how to address the gap between the carbon reduction nations have proposed and those needed to hold to the 1.5C temperature limit.

The summit chair promised a “document” that would cover these issues, after discussions – which have been underway since the start of the week – were inconclusive. He urged nations to adopt the “mutirão” attitude, referring to one of collaboration and positive dialogue.

Progress on additional substantive issues – such as adjustment to the impacts of the climate emergency, the fair shift for those affected by the move to a low-carbon economic system and how to build institutional capacity in developing countries – carried on constructively, the host said.

The host nation's chief negotiator said the detailed phase of the summit process was nearing completion, and the high-level phase – when government leaders who have the authority to alter their nations' stances join – was beginning.