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The climate chief, the minister, has called on every country to show the bravery needed to address the necessity of a global fossil fuel phaseout, labeling the creation of a roadmap as an “moral” answer to the climate crisis.

The minister emphasized, however, that involvement in this process would be optional and “self-determined” for interested nations.

This issue remains one of the most contentious 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, Brazil has adopted a balanced position on which items can be placed on the official schedule.

Silva expressed support for the possibility of a plan, though not directly committing the country to it. The minister stated: “When we have a terrain that is quite grim, it is helpful that we have a map. But the guide does not force us to proceed, or to advance.”

In an interview, she noted: “The map is an response to our scientific understanding [of the climate crisis]. It is an moral response.”

Dozens of countries meeting in the host city for the global climate conference, which is entering its second week, are aiming to determine how a global transition of fossil fuels could be implemented. These nations hope to build on a historic resolution made two years ago at COP28 to “transition away from fossil fuels.”

That pledge had no a timetable or details on the way it could be achieved, and although it was passed unanimously, some nations have since attempted to disavow the promise. Efforts last year to elaborate on its practical implications were stymied by resistance from oil-dependent nations at COP29.

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

For these reasons, the host has been wary of calls by certain countries to place the transition on the schedule for COP30. But Silva has strived behind the scenes to make sure the topic could be talked about at the conference outside the formal agenda.

The minister won over the nation's president, and he made public reference three times to the need to “shift from reliance on traditional energy” at the summit of world leaders that preceded the conference, and at the start of the event.

“The issue is a matter that we understand at some point had to be raised, because it is the only way to address the problem from the root,” Marina Silva explained. “We recognise that it is not easy, and we cannot offer unrealistic expectations. Bringing up the topic is courageous, and I wish [to see] this courage from everyone, from producers and consumers.”

Brazil had not started the push for a phaseout, she said, because that had been initiated at the earlier summit. Instead, it was allowing the talks to occur in accordance with what some nations desired. “We understand these subjects are sensitive. We will provide the chance to talk about it,” she said.

Time is insufficient at COP30 to create a roadmap, a process Silva called could take several years because numerous nations confronted complicated issues around dependence on fossil fuels, or wanted to use the revenue from exporting fossil fuels to fund their development.

“Brazil raises the subject, because it is simultaneously a producer and user,” the minister noted. “But Brazil is unique, because it, if it wants to, need not rely on fossil fuels. We have to understand that there are certain nations that depend on fossil fuels in their economic systems and don’t have easy solutions, and some where fossil fuels are the foundation of their economic structure.

“To be just is to be fair to all, but the fundamental, basic justice is to avoid being unjust to the Earth, because it is our home.”

If the pledge receives sufficient backing, the summit could establish a platform in which the work of drawing up a roadmap to the transition could start.

This endeavor would require dialogue with every signatory countries to the UN framework convention on climate change and guidelines for how the process would unfold, Silva explained. “After we have standards, a management framework can be drawn up; once we have a plan, and create protections to be able to establish confidence in the process, I believe that with these components we can turn good ideas into steps that are clearer, and more concrete.”

It is uncertain that a proposal to start developing a plan would be accepted at COP30, even if it may not need the formal approval of the summit, which operates by unanimous agreement and can be disrupted by particular groups. Climate experts have indicated they believe there could be support for such a proposal from about sixty countries, but there are believed to be at least forty opposed. A total of 195 countries participating at the negotiations.

“Despite being the root cause of global warming, fossil fuels are about the most contentious topic there is within the international climate talks, so to see a chunky group of countries openly supporting a route to realizing worldwide transition is in itself pretty groundbreaking.”

“In simple terms, there’s no route to a world where warming remains below 1.5C in which countries aren’t able to discuss ending fossil fuel use.”

“We require this wording for actual in this discussion. It’s quite stupid that we discuss everything but that when fossil fuels are the real challenge.”

Negotiations continued on Saturday on several outstanding issues that have not yet been incorporated into the formal agenda: trade, openness, finance and how to tackle the shortfall between the emissions cuts countries have proposed and those required to hold to the 1.5C temperature limit.

A COP30 chair pledged a “note” that would cover these matters, after consultations – which have been going on since Monday – were unresolved. He urged countries to adopt the “mutirão” attitude, referring to one of cooperation and positive discussion.

Progress on additional substantive topics – such as adaptation to the impacts of the climate crisis, the just transition for those impacted by the move to a green economic system and how to strengthen governance capabilities in developing countries – carried on constructively, the host said.

The host nation's lead representative said the detailed phase of the summit process was approaching completion, and the high-level stage – when government leaders who have the power to alter their countries’ positions join – was starting.