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The climate chief, the minister, has urged every country to show the courage needed to confront the imperative of a worldwide transition away from fossil fuels, describing the development of a detailed plan as an “moral” answer to the global warming emergency.

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

This issue stands as one of the most contentious matters at the UN climate summit in the host country, with nations split over whether and in what way such a strategy can be discussed. Hosting the event, the nation has adopted a carefully neutral stance on which items can be included on the official agenda.

Silva voiced support for the potential of a roadmap, without directly pledging the country to it. The minister remarked: “In times we have a terrain that is quite grim, it is good that we have a map. But the guide does not compel us to proceed, or to advance.”

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

Dozens of nations gathered in the host city for the UN climate summit, which is entering its next phase, are seeking to determine how a worldwide phaseout of fossil fuels could work. They aim to advance a historic resolution made two years ago at a previous UN summit to “move away from fossil fuels.”

The commitment lacked a schedule or specifics on the way it could be achieved, and even though it was passed by all, some nations have later tried to back away from the promise. Efforts last year to expand on its real-world meaning were blocked by resistance from petrostates at another UN summit.

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

Because of this, Brazil has been cautious of calls by some countries to include the transition on the schedule for the current summit. But the minister has strived behind the scenes to make sure the pledge could be discussed at the summit outside the formal program.

The minister won over Brazil’s president, who made public reference three times to the need to “shift from dependence on fossil fuels” at the summit of world leaders that came before the conference, and at the start of the event.

“The issue is something that we understand at a certain time had to be raised, because it is the sole way to address the issue from the root,” Marina Silva explained. “We recognise that it is challenging, and we must not offer unrealistic expectations. Bringing up the subject is brave, and I hope [to see] this bravery from everyone, from producers and consumers.”

Brazil had not initiated the call for a transition, the minister said, because that had been done at the earlier summit. Rather, it was enabling the talks to occur in line with what certain nations desired. “We understand these subjects are delicate. We will provide the opportunity to talk about it,” she added.

Time is insufficient at the summit to create a detailed plan, a process the minister said could take several years because numerous countries confronted complex challenges around reliance on carbon-based energy, or aimed to use the revenue from exporting oil and gas to fund their development.

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

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

Should the pledge gains enough support, COP30 could establish a forum in which the process of creating a roadmap to the transition could start.

The process would involve dialogue with all participating nations to the UN framework convention on climate change and criteria for how the process would proceed, the minister said. “After we have standards, a governance structure can be developed; once we have a strategy, and create protections to be able to build confidence in the process, I believe that with these components we can transform positive concepts into steps that are more defined, and more tangible.”

It is uncertain that a proposal to start drawing up a roadmap would win approval at the conference, even if it does not require the official consent of the conference, which proceeds by consensus and can be disrupted by special interests. Climate analysts have indicated they believe there could be backing for such a proposal from about sixty countries, but there are believed to be at least forty against. A total of 195 countries participating at the talks.

“In spite of being the primary source of global warming, fossil fuels are about the most divisive topic there is within the international climate talks, so to see a chunky group of countries publicly supporting a route to achieving global transition is in itself highly significant.”

“Put simply, there’s no path to a planet where warming stays below 1.5 degrees in which nations aren’t able to discuss ending fossil fuel use.”

“We need this wording for actual in this discussion. It’s quite stupid that we talk about everything but that when the main issue are the actual problem.”

Discussions continued on the weekend on four unresolved issues that have still not been included into the formal schedule: commerce, transparency, funding and how to address the gap between the carbon reduction countries have planned and those needed to keep to the 1.5-degree temperature limit.

The COP30 president promised a “document” that would address these matters, after consultations – which have been going on since the start of the week – were unresolved. He urged nations to embrace the “mutirão” spirit, meaning one of collaboration and positive dialogue.

Work on additional substantive topics – including 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 developing countries – proceeded constructively, the presidency said.

Brazil’s lead representative said the detailed part of the COP proceedings was approaching completion, and the high-level phase – when government leaders who have the power to change their countries’ positions arrive – was beginning.