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The climate chief, Marina Silva, has urged every country to demonstrate the courage needed to address the necessity of a global transition away from fossil fuels, describing the creation of a detailed plan as an “moral” response to the global warming emergency.

She stressed, though, that involvement in this process would be optional and “independently decided” for willing governments.

This issue remains one of the most contentious subjects at the COP30 in Brazil, with nations split over whether and in what way such a roadmap can be addressed. As the host, Brazil has adopted a balanced stance on which items can be included on the official agenda.

The official voiced support for the possibility of a roadmap, though not explicitly committing Brazil to it. The minister remarked: “In times we have a terrain that is very challenging, it is helpful that we have a guide. But the guide does not force us to proceed, or to advance.”

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

Scores of nations gathered in the host city for the global climate conference, which is starting its second week, are seeking to determine how a worldwide phaseout of fossil fuels could be implemented. They hope to build on a landmark resolution reached two years ago at a previous UN summit to “transition away from fossil fuels.”

The commitment had no a schedule or specifics on how it could be realized, and even though it was adopted by all, several nations have later tried to back away from the promise. Efforts last year to expand on its real-world implications were blocked by resistance from oil-dependent nations at another UN summit.

Consequently, there was no reference of the shift away from carbon fuels in the outcome of COP29.

Because of this, Brazil has been wary of demands by certain nations to place the transition on the schedule for the current summit. But Silva has strived behind the scenes to make sure the topic could be talked about at the summit outside the formal program.

She won over Brazil’s leader, who gave mention repeatedly to the need to “move away from reliance on traditional energy” at the global leaders' meeting that came before COP30, and at the opening of the event.

“The issue is something that we know at a certain time had to be raised, because it is the only way to face the issue from the source,” Marina Silva explained. “We acknowledge that it is not easy, and we cannot sell unrealistic expectations. Raising the subject is brave, and I wish [to see] this courage from everyone, from producing nations and using countries.”

Brazil had not initiated the call for a transition, the minister said, because that had been done at COP28. Instead, it was allowing the discussions to occur in line with what certain countries wished. “We know these topics are sensitive. We will provide the chance to talk about it,” the minister added.

There is not enough time at COP30 to draw up a roadmap, a task Silva said could take several years because numerous nations faced complex challenges around reliance on fossil fuels, or aimed to use the proceeds from exporting fossil fuels to finance their development.

“Brazil raises the subject, because Brazil is simultaneously a producer and consumer,” the minister said. “But Brazil is different, because it, if it chooses to, does not have to depend on non-renewables. We have to recognise that there are certain nations that rely on carbon energy in their economic systems and lack simple solutions, and others where oil and gas are the foundation of their economy.

“To be fair is to be just to all, but the essential, basic fairness is not being unfair to the planet, because it is our shared home.”

Should the proposal receives sufficient support, the summit could set up a platform in which the work of drawing up a roadmap to the transition could start.

This endeavor would involve discussions with every signatory nations to the UN climate treaty and criteria for how the initiative would unfold, the minister said. “Once we have standards, a governance structure can be drawn up; after we have a strategy, and establish protections to be able to build trust in the process, I am confident that with these components we can turn positive concepts into steps that are more defined, and more tangible.”

It is uncertain that a suggestion to begin drawing up a plan would be accepted at the conference, although it does not require the official approval of the conference, which operates by unanimous agreement and can be disrupted by special interests. COP experts have suggested they believe there could be support for such a idea from about sixty nations, but there are thought to be at least 40 against. A total of 195 countries participating at the talks.

“In spite of being the primary source of global warming, carbon-based energy are about the most contentious topic there is within the international climate talks, so to see a chunky group of countries publicly supporting a path to realizing global phaseout is in itself highly significant.”

“In simple terms, there’s no route to a planet where warming remains below 1.5C in which countries aren’t able to talk about fossil fuel phaseout.”

“We require this wording for real in this discussion. It’s highly illogical that we discuss everything but then when the main issue are the actual challenge.”

Discussions carried on on the weekend on four unresolved topics that have still not been incorporated into the formal schedule: trade, openness, finance and how to address the gap between the emissions cuts countries have proposed and those needed to hold to the 1.5-degree temperature target.

A summit president pledged a “note” that would address these matters, after consultations – which have been going on since the start of the week – were inconclusive. The official urged nations to embrace the “mutirão” attitude, referring to one of cooperation and constructive dialogue.

Progress on other key issues – such as adaptation to the impacts of the climate crisis, the just transition for those impacted by the transition to a low-carbon economy and how to strengthen governance capabilities in developing countries – carried on productively, the presidency reported.

Brazil’s lead representative stated the detailed part of the summit process was approaching completion, and the political stage – when government leaders who have the power to alter their nations' stances join – was starting.