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The climate chief, the minister, has urged all nations to show the bravery needed to address the necessity of a global transition away from fossil fuels, describing the creation of a roadmap as an “moral” response to the climate crisis.

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

The topic stands as one of the most contentious matters at the COP30 in Brazil, with countries split over whether and how such a roadmap can be discussed. Hosting the event, Brazil has maintained a balanced position on which items can be included on the official schedule.

The official voiced approval for the possibility of a roadmap, without directly pledging Brazil to it. The minister remarked: “When we have a situation that is very challenging, it is good that we have a map. But the guide does not force us to travel, or to advance.”

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

Dozens of countries gathered in the host city for the global climate conference, which is starting its next phase, are seeking to determine how a global transition of fossil fuels could be implemented. They aim to advance a historic agreement made two years ago at COP28 to “transition away from non-renewable energy sources.”

The pledge lacked a schedule or specifics on how it could be realized, and even though it was passed by all, some countries have later tried to disavow the pledge. Efforts last year to elaborate on its real-world implications were stymied by resistance from oil-dependent nations at COP29.

Consequently, there was no mention of the shift away from carbon fuels in the final agreement of that conference.

For these reasons, the host has been wary of demands by certain countries to include the transition on the agenda for COP30. But Silva has strived in private to ensure the topic could be discussed at the summit outside the formal agenda.

She won over the nation's president, and he gave mention three times to the need to “shift from dependence on fossil fuels” at the summit of world leaders that came before COP30, and at the start of the summit.

“This is something that we understand at a certain time had to be put forward, because it is the sole way to face the problem from the source,” the minister said. “We acknowledge that it is not easy, and we must not sell unrealistic expectations. Raising the topic is courageous, and I hope [to see] this bravery from all, from producing nations and using countries.”

Brazil had not started the push for a transition, she clarified, because that had been initiated at COP28. Rather, it was allowing the talks to occur in accordance with what certain countries wished. “We know these subjects are delicate. We will provide the chance to talk about it,” she added.

There is not enough time at COP30 to create a roadmap, a task the minister called could take a number of years because numerous countries confronted complicated challenges around reliance on fossil fuels, or wanted to use the revenue from exporting fossil fuels to finance their economic growth.

“The country brings up the topic, because it is both a producer and consumer,” she noted. “But Brazil is unique, because it, if it chooses to, does not have to depend on non-renewables. We have to understand that there are certain nations that rely on carbon energy in their economic systems and don’t have easy alternatives, and others where oil and gas are the basis of their economic structure.

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

If the pledge receives enough support, the summit could set up a platform in which the work of drawing up a roadmap to the transition could start.

The endeavor would involve dialogue with all signatory nations to the UN climate treaty and criteria for how the process would proceed, Silva explained. “Once we have criteria, a governance structure can be drawn up; once we have a plan, and establish safeguards to be able to build confidence in the system, I believe that with these components we can turn good ideas into steps that are clearer, and more concrete.”

There is no guarantee that a suggestion to begin developing a roadmap would be accepted at COP30, although it may not need the official consent of the summit, which operates by consensus and can be hijacked by special interests. Climate analysts have indicated they believe there could be backing for such a proposal from about 60 nations, but there are believed to be at least forty against. There are 195 nations represented at the negotiations.

“In spite of being the root cause of global warming, carbon-based energy are about the most divisive subject there is within the international climate talks, so to see a sizable group of countries publicly supporting a route to achieving worldwide transition is in itself highly significant.”

“Put simply, there’s no path to a world where warming stays below 1.5C in which countries aren’t able to talk about ending fossil fuel use.”

“We require this language for real in this discussion. It’s highly illogical that we discuss all topics but that when the main issue are the real challenge.”

Negotiations carried on on the weekend on four unresolved issues that have not yet been included into the formal schedule: trade, transparency, finance and how to tackle the gap between the emissions cuts nations have planned and those needed to keep to the 1.5C warming limit.

A COP30 chair pledged a “note” that would cover these issues, after consultations – which have been going on since the start of the week – were unresolved. The official called on nations to embrace the “mutirão” spirit, meaning one of collaboration and constructive dialogue.

Progress on other key topics – such as adaptation to the impacts of the climate crisis, the fair shift for those affected by the move to a low-carbon economic system and how to build institutional capacity in less developed nations – proceeded constructively, the presidency said.

Brazil’s chief negotiator stated the detailed phase of the COP process was approaching the end, and the high-level phase – when ministers who have the authority to change their nations' positions join – was starting.