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Brazil’s environment minister, Marina Silva, has urged every country to demonstrate the bravery needed to confront the necessity of a global transition away from fossil fuels, describing the creation of a detailed plan as an “moral” response to the global warming emergency.

She emphasized, however, that participation in this process would be voluntary and “independently decided” for willing nations.

This issue stands as one of the most contentious subjects at the UN climate summit in Brazil, with countries divided over if and how such a strategy can be discussed. Hosting the event, Brazil has adopted a carefully neutral position on what can be included on the official agenda.

The official expressed support for the potential of a plan, without directly pledging the country to it. The minister stated: “In times we have a terrain 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 knowledge [of the climate crisis]. It is an ethical response.”

Scores of countries gathered in Belém for the global climate conference, which is entering its next phase, are aiming to determine how a global phaseout of oil, gas, and coal could be implemented. These nations hope to advance a landmark agreement made two years ago at a previous UN summit to “transition away from fossil fuels.”

The commitment lacked a timetable or specifics on the way it could be achieved, and although it was adopted unanimously, some nations have since attempted to back away from the promise. Efforts last year to elaborate on its real-world meaning were blocked by resistance from petrostates at COP29.

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

Because of this, Brazil has been wary of calls by certain countries to place the phaseout on the schedule for COP30. But the minister has strived in private to ensure the pledge could be talked about at the conference apart from the official program.

She won over the nation's president, and he gave mention three times to the need to “move away from dependence on fossil fuels” at the summit of world leaders that came before the conference, and at the opening of the event.

“This is something that we know at a certain time had to be put forward, because it is the sole way to face the issue from the source,” Marina Silva said. “We acknowledge that it is not easy, and we cannot sell unrealistic expectations. Raising the topic is brave, and I wish [to see] this courage from all, from producers and consumers.”

Brazil had not started the call for a phaseout, she clarified, because that had been initiated at COP28. Rather, it was allowing the discussions to occur in line with what some nations wished. “We know these topics are delicate. We will provide the chance to talk about it,” the minister added.

Time is insufficient at the summit to draw up a detailed plan, a process the minister said could take several years because many nations faced complicated issues around dependence on fossil fuels, or wanted to use the revenue from exporting fossil fuels to fund their development.

“The country raises the subject, because Brazil is simultaneously a producer and user,” the minister noted. “But Brazil is unique, because Brazil, if it wants to, does not have to rely on fossil fuels. We have to recognise that there are certain nations that rely on carbon energy in their economies and lack easy solutions, and some where oil and gas are the foundation of their economy.

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

If the proposal gains sufficient support, the summit could establish a platform in which the process of drawing up a roadmap to the transition could begin.

The process would require dialogue with every participating countries to the UN framework convention on climate change and criteria for how the process would proceed, Silva said. “After we have standards, a governance structure can be developed; once we have a plan, and establish safeguards to be able to establish confidence in the process, I am confident that with these elements we can transform positive concepts into steps that are more defined, and more tangible.”

There is no guarantee that a suggestion to start developing a roadmap would be accepted at the conference, even if it may not need the formal consent of the summit, which proceeds by consensus and can be disrupted by particular groups. Climate experts have indicated they believe there could be backing for such a idea from about 60 countries, but there are thought to be at least 40 opposed. A total of 195 countries represented at the talks.

“Despite being the root cause of climate change, carbon-based energy are about the most divisive topic there is within the international climate talks, so to see a sizable coalition of countries publicly backing a path to achieving worldwide transition is in itself pretty groundbreaking.”

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

“We need this wording for real in this conversation. It’s highly illogical that we discuss all topics but that when fossil fuels are the real challenge.”

Negotiations carried on on Saturday on several unresolved topics that have still not been incorporated into the formal agenda: trade, transparency, finance and how to tackle the gap between the emissions cuts countries have proposed and those needed to hold to the 1.5-degree temperature target.

The COP30 president pledged a “note” that would cover these issues, after discussions – which have been going on since the start of the week – were inconclusive. The official urged countries to adopt the “mutirão” attitude, meaning one of cooperation and positive discussion.

Progress on other substantive issues – such as adaptation to the effects of the climate emergency, the fair shift for those affected by the move to a low-carbon economy and how to strengthen governance capabilities in less developed nations – proceeded constructively, the host reported.

The host nation's chief negotiator said the detailed phase of the summit proceedings was nearing completion, and the political phase – when government leaders who have the authority to change their nations' positions arrive – was starting.