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Brazil’s environment minister, Marina Silva, has called on all nations to show the courage needed to confront the necessity of a worldwide fossil fuel phaseout, labeling the creation of a detailed plan as an “ethical” answer to the global warming emergency.

She emphasized, however, that involvement in this process would be optional and “self-determined” for willing governments.

The topic remains one of the most contentious matters at the COP30 in Brazil, with nations divided over if and how such a roadmap can be discussed. Hosting the event, Brazil has maintained a carefully neutral stance on which items can be included on the formal schedule.

The official voiced approval for the possibility of a plan, though not directly committing Brazil to it. She remarked: “In times we have a terrain that is very challenging, it is helpful that we have a map. But the guide does not force us to travel, or to climb.”

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

Dozens of nations gathered in Belém for the global climate conference, which is starting its second week, are seeking to determine how a worldwide transition of oil, gas, and coal could work. These nations aim to advance a historic agreement made two years ago at a previous UN summit to “move away from non-renewable energy sources.”

That pledge had no a timetable or details on how it could be achieved, and although it was adopted unanimously, some nations have later tried to disavow the promise. Attempts last year to elaborate on its real-world meaning were stymied by resistance from petrostates at COP29.

Consequently, there was no reference of the transition away from fossil fuels in the final agreement of COP29.

For these reasons, Brazil has been cautious of demands by certain countries to place the transition on the agenda for the current summit. But the minister has worked hard in private to ensure the topic could be discussed at the conference apart from the formal agenda.

The minister convinced Brazil’s leader, and he made mention three times to the need to “shift from dependence on fossil fuels” at the summit of world leaders that came before the conference, and at the start of the event.

“This is something that we know at a certain time had to be put forward, because it is the sole way to address the problem from the root,” Marina Silva said. “We recognise that it is challenging, and we cannot offer false hopes. Raising the topic is courageous, and I wish [to see] this courage from all, from producers and consumers.”

Brazil had not initiated the push for a transition, she said, because that had been initiated at COP28. Rather, it was enabling the discussions to take place in line with what certain nations wished. “We know these subjects are sensitive. We will give the chance to discuss it,” she added.

There is not enough time at the summit to create a roadmap, a process the minister called could take a number of years because many nations faced complicated issues around reliance on carbon-based energy, or aimed to use the revenue from exporting fossil fuels to fund their economic growth.

“The country raises the subject, because it is simultaneously a producer and consumer,” the minister said. “But Brazil is different, because it, if it chooses to, need not depend on fossil fuels. We have to recognise that there are some that rely on fossil fuels in their economic systems and don’t have simple alternatives, and some where oil and gas are the basis of their economy.

“To be fair is to be fair to everyone, but the fundamental, primordial fairness is not being unfair to the Earth, because it is our home.”

If the pledge gains sufficient support, COP30 could establish a platform in which the process of creating a strategy to the phaseout could start.

This process would require dialogue with all participating nations to the UN climate treaty and guidelines for how the initiative would unfold, Silva said. “Once we have criteria, a management framework can be developed; after we have a plan, and establish safeguards to be able to establish confidence in the process, I believe that with these elements we can turn good ideas into steps that are more defined, and more tangible.”

It is uncertain that a proposal to begin drawing up a roadmap would win approval at the conference, even if it does not require the formal approval of the summit, which operates by consensus and can be hijacked by particular groups. COP analysts have indicated they believe there could be backing for such a idea from about sixty countries, but there are thought to be at least 40 against. There are one hundred ninety-five countries participating at the negotiations.

“In spite of being the primary source of climate change, fossil fuels are about the most contentious subject there is within the international climate talks, so to see a chunky coalition of countries openly supporting a path to achieving worldwide phaseout is in itself highly significant.”

“Put simply, there’s no path to a world where temperature rise stays below 1.5 degrees in which countries aren’t able to discuss ending fossil fuel use.”

“We require this language for actual in this conversation. It’s quite stupid that we discuss everything but then when the main issue are the real challenge.”

Discussions carried on on Saturday on several unresolved topics that have not yet been incorporated into the official schedule: commerce, openness, funding and how to tackle the gap between the emissions cuts countries have proposed and those needed to hold to the 1.5-degree temperature target.

A COP30 president pledged a “document” that would cover these matters, after consultations – which have been underway since Monday – were inconclusive. The official urged countries to adopt the “mutirão” spirit, referring to one of collaboration and positive discussion.

Progress on additional key topics – including adjustment to the impacts of the climate crisis, the just transition for those impacted by the move to a low-carbon economy and how to strengthen governance capabilities in developing countries – carried on constructively, the host reported.

Brazil’s chief negotiator stated the technical phase of the COP proceedings was approaching completion, and the high-level phase – when government leaders who have the authority to change their countries’ stances arrive – was starting.