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

She stressed, though, that involvement in this endeavor would be voluntary and “independently decided” for interested governments.

The topic stands as one of the most contentious subjects at the UN climate summit in Brazil, with nations split over if and how such a strategy can be addressed. Hosting the event, Brazil has adopted a balanced position on what can be placed on the formal schedule.

Silva expressed approval for the potential of a roadmap, though not explicitly committing Brazil to it. She stated: “In times we have a situation that is quite grim, it is helpful that we have a map. But the guide does not compel us to travel, or to climb.”

Speaking further, the minister noted: “The roadmap is an response to our scientific understanding [of the climate emergency]. It is an moral response.”

Dozens of countries meeting in Belém for the UN climate summit, which is starting its second week, are aiming to determine how a worldwide transition of fossil fuels could be implemented. They aim to advance a landmark agreement reached two years ago at COP28 to “move away from non-renewable energy sources.”

That pledge lacked a schedule or details on how it could be achieved, and even though it was passed by all, some countries have since tried to back away from the pledge. Attempts last year to expand on its real-world meaning were stymied by resistance from petrostates at another UN summit.

As a result, there was no mention of the transition away from fossil fuels in the outcome of COP29.

Because of this, Brazil has been wary of calls by some countries to place the phaseout on the schedule for the current summit. But Silva has strived behind the scenes to ensure the topic could be discussed at the summit apart from the official program.

The minister convinced Brazil’s leader, and he made public reference three times to the need to “move away from reliance 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 some point had to be raised, because it is the sole way to address the issue from the source,” the minister explained. “We recognise that it is challenging, and we must not offer false hopes. Raising the topic is brave, and I wish [to see] this courage from all, from producing nations and using countries.”

The nation had not started the call for a phaseout, the minister said, because that had been done at the earlier summit. Instead, it was enabling the talks to take place in line with what some nations desired. “We understand these topics 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 task Silva called could take several years because many nations confronted complex issues around dependence on fossil fuels, or wanted to use the proceeds from exporting oil and gas to finance their economic growth.

“The country raises the subject, because Brazil is simultaneously a producing nation and user,” she noted. “But the nation is different, because Brazil, if it chooses to, need not rely on non-renewables. We have to understand that there are certain nations that depend on fossil fuels in their economic systems and lack easy alternatives, and others where fossil fuels are the basis of their economy.

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

Should the pledge receives enough support, the summit could set up a platform in which the work of drawing up a strategy to the phaseout could begin.

This endeavor would require discussions with every participating nations to the UN framework convention on climate change and criteria for how the process would proceed, Silva said. “Once we have criteria, a management framework can be drawn up; after we have a plan, and establish protections to be able to build confidence in the process, I believe that with these elements we can transform good ideas into actions that are clearer, and more tangible.”

It is uncertain that a suggestion to start drawing up a plan would win approval at the conference, even if it may not need the formal consent of the summit, which proceeds by consensus and can be disrupted by special interests. COP analysts have indicated they believe there could be support for such a proposal from about 60 nations, but there are thought to be at least 40 against. There are one hundred ninety-five nations represented at the negotiations.

“Despite being the root cause of global warming, fossil fuels are about the most divisive subject there is within the international climate talks, so to see a sizable group of nations openly backing a route to achieving worldwide transition is in itself pretty groundbreaking.”

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

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

Negotiations continued on Saturday on several outstanding topics that have still not been included into the formal agenda: trade, openness, finance and how to address the gap between the emissions cuts nations have planned and those required to hold to the 1.5C temperature target.

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

Progress on additional key issues – such as adaptation to the effects of the climate emergency, the fair shift for those impacted by the transition to a low-carbon economic system and how to strengthen institutional capacity in developing countries – carried on constructively, the presidency reported.

Brazil’s chief negotiator stated the technical phase of the summit process was nearing completion, and the high-level phase – when government leaders who have the power to change their countries’ positions arrive – was beginning.