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The environment minister, Marina Silva, has called on all nations to show the bravery needed to confront the imperative of a worldwide fossil fuel phaseout, labeling the development of a detailed plan as an “ethical” answer to the global warming emergency.

She emphasized, though, that participation in this process would be optional and “self-determined” for interested governments.

This issue stands as one of the most contentious matters at the UN climate summit in Brazil, with countries divided over if and in what way such a roadmap can be addressed. Hosting the event, Brazil has adopted a carefully neutral position on which items can be included on the formal schedule.

The official voiced approval for the potential of a plan, without explicitly committing Brazil to it. The minister remarked: “When we have a situation that is very challenging, it is helpful that we have a map. But the map does not force us to proceed, or to advance.”

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

Scores of countries meeting in Belém for the UN climate summit, which is starting its second week, are seeking to establish how a global phaseout of oil, gas, and coal could be implemented. These nations hope to build on a landmark agreement made two years ago at a previous UN summit to “transition away from fossil fuels.”

The commitment lacked a timetable or specifics on the way it could be achieved, and although it was adopted unanimously, several countries have since attempted to disavow the promise. Attempts last year to elaborate on its practical implications were stymied by resistance from oil-dependent nations at another UN summit.

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

For these reasons, Brazil has been cautious of demands by some nations to place the transition on the agenda for the current summit. But Silva has worked hard behind the scenes to make sure the topic could be talked about at the conference outside the official agenda.

The minister won over Brazil’s president, who gave public reference repeatedly to the need to “shift from dependence on traditional energy” at the summit of world leaders that preceded COP30, and at the opening 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 face the issue from the root,” Marina Silva said. “We recognise that it is not easy, and we cannot offer false hopes. Raising the subject is brave, and I wish [to see] this bravery from everyone, from producers and using countries.”

The nation had not initiated the push for a transition, the minister said, because that had been done at the earlier summit. Rather, it was enabling the discussions to occur in accordance with what certain countries desired. “We understand these topics are sensitive. We will give the opportunity to discuss it,” she added.

Time is insufficient at the summit to draw up a roadmap, a process Silva said could take several years because numerous countries faced complicated challenges around reliance on fossil fuels, or wanted to use the proceeds from exporting fossil fuels to finance their economic growth.

“Brazil raises the subject, because it is both a producer and user,” she noted. “But the nation is different, because Brazil, if it wants to, does not have to depend on fossil fuels. We have to recognise that there are certain nations that depend on fossil fuels in their economic systems and don’t have simple solutions, and others where oil and gas are the foundation of their economic structure.

“To be fair is to be fair to everyone, but the fundamental, basic justice is not being unfair to the planet, because it is our shared home.”

If the proposal gains enough support, the summit could set up a platform in which the process of creating a strategy to the phaseout could start.

The process would require dialogue with every signatory countries to the UN climate treaty and guidelines for how the process would unfold, Silva explained. “After we have standards, a management framework can be drawn up; once we have a plan, and establish protections to be able to build confidence in the process, I believe that with these elements we can transform positive concepts into actions that are more defined, and more concrete.”

There is no guarantee that a proposal to begin drawing up a roadmap would win approval at the conference, although it may not need the formal consent of the conference, which proceeds by unanimous agreement and can be hijacked by special interests. COP experts have indicated they think there could be backing for such a proposal from about 60 nations, but there are thought to be at least 40 against. There are one hundred ninety-five countries represented at the talks.

“Despite being the root cause of climate change, fossil fuels are about the most divisive subject there is within the international climate talks, so to see a sizable coalition of countries openly supporting a route to realizing worldwide phaseout is in itself pretty groundbreaking.”

“In simple terms, there’s no route to a planet where warming remains below 1.5 degrees in which nations cannot to talk about ending fossil fuel use.”

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

Discussions carried on on Saturday on four unresolved topics that have not yet been included into the official agenda: commerce, transparency, finance and how to tackle the gap between the carbon reduction nations have planned and those required to keep to the 1.5-degree warming target.

A COP30 chair promised a “document” that would cover these matters, 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, referring to one of collaboration and constructive dialogue.

Work on other key issues – such as adjustment to the effects of the climate crisis, the just transition for those impacted by the transition to a low-carbon economy and how to strengthen institutional capacity in developing countries – proceeded constructively, the host reported.

Brazil’s lead representative said the detailed part of the COP process was approaching completion, and the political phase – when government leaders who have the authority to change their nations' positions arrive – was beginning.