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The environment minister, Marina Silva, has called on all nations to show the bravery needed to address the necessity of a worldwide transition away from fossil fuels, describing the creation of a detailed plan as an “moral” answer to the climate crisis.

The minister stressed, however, that participation in this endeavor would be voluntary and “self-determined” for interested governments.

This issue remains one of the most contentious matters at the COP30 in Brazil, with countries split over whether and how such a strategy can be discussed. As the host, the nation has maintained a balanced position on which items can be included on the formal schedule.

The official expressed approval for the potential of a plan, though not directly pledging the country to it. The minister stated: “In times we have a terrain that is quite grim, it is helpful that we have a guide. But the guide does not compel us to travel, or to climb.”

Speaking further, she added: “The map is an response to our scientific understanding [of the climate crisis]. It is an ethical response.”

Scores of nations gathered in the host city for the global climate conference, which is starting its next phase, are aiming to establish how a worldwide transition of oil, gas, and coal could be implemented. They aim to build on a historic agreement reached two years ago at a previous UN summit to “move away from fossil fuels.”

That commitment had no 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 expand on its practical meaning were stymied by opposition from petrostates at another UN summit.

As a result, there was no reference of the transition away from carbon fuels in the final agreement of that conference.

For these reasons, the host has been wary of calls by some countries to include the transition on the schedule for COP30. But Silva has strived in private to ensure the pledge could be discussed at the conference apart from the formal program.

The minister convinced Brazil’s president, and he made public reference repeatedly to the need to “shift from dependence on traditional energy” at the global leaders' meeting that preceded the conference, and at the start of the summit.

“The issue is a matter that we understand at some point had to be put forward, because it is the only way to address the issue from the root,” the minister said. “We recognise that it is not easy, and we must not offer unrealistic expectations. Raising the topic is courageous, and I wish [to see] this bravery from all, from producers and using countries.”

Brazil had not started the push for a phaseout, the minister clarified, because that had been done at the earlier summit. Rather, it was enabling the talks to take place in line with what some countries desired. “We know these subjects are sensitive. We will give the opportunity to talk about it,” she said.

Time is insufficient at COP30 to create a roadmap, a process the minister said could take several years because many nations confronted complicated challenges around reliance on fossil fuels, or wanted to use the proceeds from selling oil and gas to finance their development.

“Brazil brings up the topic, because Brazil is simultaneously a producer and consumer,” the minister noted. “But the nation is different, because Brazil, if it chooses to, does not have to rely on non-renewables. We have to recognise that there are certain nations that depend on fossil fuels in their economic systems and lack easy alternatives, and others where oil and gas are the basis of their economy.

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

If the pledge gains sufficient backing, COP30 could set up a forum in which the work of drawing up a roadmap to the transition could begin.

The process would involve dialogue with all signatory nations to the UN framework convention on climate change and criteria for how the process would proceed, Silva explained. “After we have criteria, 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 believe that with these elements we can turn positive concepts into actions that are clearer, and more tangible.”

There is no guarantee that a proposal to start drawing up a plan would win approval at COP30, even if it does not require the formal consent of the summit, which proceeds by unanimous agreement and can be disrupted by particular groups. COP analysts have suggested they think there could be backing for such a idea from about 60 nations, but there are believed to be at least 40 against. A total of one hundred ninety-five nations participating at the negotiations.

“Despite being the primary source of climate change, carbon-based energy are about the most contentious subject there is within the international climate talks, so to see a chunky group of nations publicly backing a path to achieving worldwide phaseout is in itself highly significant.”

“In simple terms, there’s no route to a world where temperature rise stays below 1.5C in which countries cannot to talk about ending fossil fuel use.”

“We need this wording for real in this conversation. It’s quite stupid that we talk about everything but that when fossil fuels are the actual problem.”

Negotiations continued on the weekend on several outstanding topics that have still not been included into the official agenda: trade, transparency, finance and how to address the gap between the emissions cuts nations have planned and those needed to keep to the 1.5C warming target.

The summit chair pledged a “document” that would cover these issues, after consultations – which have been underway since Monday – were unresolved. The official urged countries to embrace the “mutirão” spirit, meaning one of collaboration and positive dialogue.

Work on additional substantive topics – such as adjustment to the impacts of the climate crisis, the just transition for those impacted by the move to a low-carbon economic system and how to strengthen governance capabilities in less developed nations – proceeded constructively, the presidency said.

Brazil’s chief negotiator said the detailed phase of the COP process was approaching the end, and the political stage – when government leaders who have the power to change their nations' stances join – was beginning.