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The climate chief, Marina Silva, has urged all nations to demonstrate the bravery needed to confront the necessity of a worldwide transition away from fossil fuels, describing the development of a detailed plan as an “ethical” response to the global warming emergency.

The minister stressed, however, that participation in this process would be optional and “self-determined” for willing nations.

This issue stands as one of the most debated subjects at the COP30 in the host country, with nations divided over whether and how such a strategy can be discussed. As the host, the nation has maintained a balanced position on what can be placed on the formal schedule.

Silva voiced support for the potential of a roadmap, though not explicitly committing the country to it. The minister stated: “In times we have a terrain that is very challenging, it is good that we have a guide. But the map does not force us to proceed, or to advance.”

In an interview, the minister added: “The roadmap is an response to our scientific understanding [of the climate crisis]. It is an moral answer.”

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

The pledge had no a timetable or specifics on the way it could be realized, and even though it was passed by all, several countries have since attempted to disavow the pledge. Efforts last year to elaborate on its real-world implications were blocked by resistance from oil-dependent nations at another UN summit.

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

For these reasons, the host has been wary of demands by some countries to include the transition on the schedule for COP30. But the minister has strived behind the scenes to ensure the pledge could be discussed at the summit outside the official agenda.

The minister won over Brazil’s leader, and he made public reference three times to the need to “shift from dependence on traditional energy” at the summit of world leaders that preceded the conference, and at the opening of the event.

“The issue is something that we know at some point had to be put forward, because it is the sole way to face the issue from the source,” Marina Silva explained. “We recognise that it is not easy, and we cannot offer unrealistic expectations. Bringing up the topic is courageous, and I hope [to see] this bravery from all, from producing nations and consumers.”

Brazil had not started the push for a phaseout, she clarified, because that had been initiated at the earlier summit. Rather, it was allowing the discussions to occur in line with what certain nations wished. “We know these subjects are sensitive. We will provide the chance to talk about it,” the minister said.

Time is insufficient at the summit to create a detailed plan, a task Silva called could take a number of years because many countries faced complex challenges around dependence on fossil fuels, or wanted to use the proceeds from selling fossil fuels to fund their development.

“Brazil brings up the subject, because Brazil is both a producer and user,” the minister noted. “But Brazil is different, because it, if it chooses to, does not have to rely on non-renewables. We have to understand that there are certain nations that depend on fossil fuels in their economies and don’t have easy alternatives, and some where fossil fuels are the basis of their economy.

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

If the pledge receives enough support, COP30 could set up a forum in which the process of drawing up a roadmap to the phaseout could begin.

The endeavor would require dialogue with all signatory nations to the UN climate treaty and criteria for how the initiative would proceed, Silva explained. “After we have standards, a governance structure can be drawn up; once we have a plan, and create protections to be able to build trust in the system, I believe that with these components we can turn positive concepts into actions that are more defined, and more tangible.”

It is uncertain that a suggestion to start drawing up a roadmap would win approval at the conference, even if it may not need the formal approval of the conference, which operates by unanimous agreement and can be hijacked by particular groups. Climate experts have suggested they think there could be support for such a proposal from about sixty nations, but there are believed to be at least forty opposed. A total of one hundred ninety-five nations participating at the negotiations.

“In spite of being the root cause of climate change, carbon-based energy are about the most divisive subject there is within the UN negotiations, so to see a sizable coalition of nations publicly backing a route to realizing global phaseout is in itself highly significant.”

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

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

Negotiations carried on on Saturday on four outstanding issues that have still not been incorporated into the formal agenda: trade, transparency, funding and how to tackle the shortfall between the emissions cuts nations have proposed and those needed to keep to the 1.5-degree warming limit.

The summit president pledged a “note” that would address these issues, after consultations – which have been going on since Monday – were unresolved. The official urged nations to adopt the “mutirão” spirit, referring to one of cooperation and constructive dialogue.

Work on other substantive topics – such as adjustment to the impacts of the climate emergency, the fair shift for those impacted by the transition to a green economy and how to strengthen governance capabilities in developing countries – carried on productively, the host said.

The host nation's lead representative said the detailed phase of the COP proceedings was nearing the end, and the high-level stage – when government leaders who have the power to change their countries’ stances arrive – was beginning.