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The climate chief, the minister, has called on all nations to show the bravery needed to confront the imperative of a worldwide transition away from fossil fuels, labeling the creation of a detailed plan as an “ethical” response to the global warming emergency.

The minister emphasized, however, that participation in this endeavor would be optional and “independently decided” for interested governments.

The topic stands as one of the most contentious subjects at the UN climate summit in the host country, with countries divided over if and in what way such a strategy can be addressed. Hosting the event, Brazil has maintained a balanced stance on which items can be placed on the formal agenda.

The official expressed approval for the potential of a roadmap, though not explicitly pledging Brazil to it. The minister remarked: “In times we have a situation that is very challenging, it is helpful that we have a map. But the guide does not compel us to travel, or to advance.”

Speaking further, the minister added: “The map is an answer to our scientific understanding [of the climate emergency]. It is an moral answer.”

Dozens of nations meeting in the host city for the global climate conference, which is starting its second week, are seeking to establish how a worldwide transition of oil, gas, and coal could work. They hope to build on a historic agreement reached two years ago at a previous UN summit to “move away from fossil fuels.”

That pledge lacked a schedule or details on how it could be achieved, and even though it was passed unanimously, some countries have later attempted to disavow the promise. Attempts last year to elaborate on its real-world meaning were stymied by resistance from petrostates at another UN summit.

Consequently, there was no mention of the transition away from fossil fuels in the outcome of that conference.

For these reasons, Brazil has been cautious of calls by some countries to place the transition on the agenda for the current summit. But Silva has strived behind the scenes to make sure the topic could be discussed at the conference apart from the official agenda.

She convinced the nation's leader, who gave mention repeatedly to the need to “shift from reliance on traditional energy” at the global leaders' meeting that preceded the conference, 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 sole way to address the issue from the root,” the minister said. “We acknowledge that it is not easy, and we cannot sell false hopes. Bringing up the subject is courageous, and I wish [to see] this courage from everyone, from producers and using countries.”

The nation had not initiated the call for a transition, the minister clarified, because that had been initiated at COP28. Instead, it was enabling the talks to take place in line with what some countries desired. “We know these subjects are delicate. We will provide the chance to discuss it,” she added.

Time is insufficient at the summit to draw up a detailed plan, a process Silva called could take several years because many countries faced complicated challenges around reliance on carbon-based energy, or wanted to use the revenue from exporting fossil fuels to finance their economic growth.

“Brazil brings up the topic, because it is both a producer and consumer,” the minister said. “But the nation is unique, because Brazil, if it wants to, does not have to depend on fossil fuels. We have to recognise that there are some that depend on fossil fuels in their economies and don’t have easy solutions, and others where oil and gas are the basis of their economic structure.

“To be just is to be just to all, but the fundamental, primordial fairness is not being unjust to the Earth, because it is our shared home.”

If the proposal receives sufficient backing, COP30 could establish a forum in which the work of creating a strategy to the transition could start.

The endeavor would require dialogue with all signatory countries to the UN framework convention on climate change and criteria for how the initiative would proceed, Silva said. “After we have criteria, a management framework can be developed; after we have a strategy, and establish safeguards to be able to establish confidence in the process, I am confident that with these elements we can turn good ideas into steps that are clearer, and more concrete.”

It is uncertain that a suggestion to start drawing up a plan would win approval at COP30, even if it may not need the official consent of the summit, which operates by consensus and can be hijacked by special interests. COP experts have suggested they think there could be support for such a idea from about sixty countries, but there are thought to be at least forty opposed. There are one hundred ninety-five nations participating at the negotiations.

“In spite of being the primary source of climate change, carbon-based energy are about the most divisive topic there is within the UN negotiations, so to see a sizable group of nations openly supporting a path to realizing global transition is in itself highly significant.”

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

“We need this wording for real in this conversation. It’s highly illogical that we discuss all topics but then when fossil fuels are the actual challenge.”

Discussions carried on on the weekend on four outstanding 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 proposed and those needed to keep to the 1.5-degree warming limit.

The summit chair pledged a “note” that would address these matters, after consultations – which have been underway since Monday – were inconclusive. The official called on countries to adopt the “mutirão” attitude, meaning one of cooperation and constructive discussion.

Progress on other key issues – such as adaptation to the effects of the climate emergency, the fair shift for those impacted by the transition to a low-carbon economic system and how to strengthen governance capabilities in developing countries – proceeded constructively, the host reported.

The host nation's lead representative stated the technical part of the COP process was nearing completion, and the high-level phase – when ministers who have the authority to alter their nations' positions arrive – was starting.