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The environment minister, the minister, has urged all nations to demonstrate the courage needed to confront the necessity of a worldwide fossil fuel phaseout, labeling the development of a roadmap as an “moral” answer to the climate crisis.

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

The topic stands as one of the most contentious matters at the UN climate summit in Brazil, with countries divided over whether and in what way such a strategy can be discussed. As the host, Brazil has adopted a balanced position on what can be included on the official agenda.

The official voiced support for the possibility of a plan, though not explicitly pledging the country to it. The minister remarked: “In times we have a situation that is quite grim, it is good that we have a guide. But the guide does not compel us to proceed, or to climb.”

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

Scores of countries meeting in Belém for the UN climate summit, which is entering its second week, are aiming to determine how a global transition of fossil fuels could be implemented. They aim to build on a historic agreement reached two years ago at COP28 to “transition away from fossil fuels.”

That pledge lacked a timetable or specifics on how it could be realized, and even though it was adopted unanimously, some countries have since tried to back away from the pledge. Efforts last year to expand on its practical implications were stymied by resistance from petrostates at COP29.

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

Because of this, Brazil has been cautious of calls by certain countries to place the phaseout on the schedule for COP30. But Silva has worked hard in private to ensure the topic could be talked about at the conference outside the formal agenda.

She convinced the nation's leader, who made mention three times to the need to “shift from dependence on traditional energy” at the global leaders' meeting that came before COP30, and at the start of the event.

“The issue is a matter that we understand at some point had to be raised, because it is the only way to address the issue from the source,” Marina Silva explained. “We recognise that it is not easy, and we cannot sell false hopes. Bringing up the topic is brave, and I hope [to see] this courage from all, from producers and consumers.”

The nation had not started the call for a phaseout, she said, because that had been initiated at COP28. Rather, it was allowing the discussions to take place in accordance with what certain nations wished. “We understand these topics are delicate. We will provide the opportunity to discuss it,” she said.

There is not enough time at COP30 to create a detailed plan, a process Silva said could take a number of years because numerous nations faced complicated challenges around dependence on carbon-based energy, or wanted to use the proceeds from exporting fossil fuels to fund their development.

“The country brings up the topic, because Brazil is simultaneously a producing nation and consumer,” the minister said. “But the nation is different, because Brazil, if it chooses to, need not rely on non-renewables. We have to recognise that there are some that depend on carbon energy in their economic systems and lack simple solutions, and some where oil and gas are the foundation of their economy.

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

If the pledge gains enough support, the summit could set up a platform in which the process of drawing up a strategy to the transition could start.

The process would involve dialogue with every participating nations to the UN climate treaty and guidelines for how the initiative would proceed, Silva explained. “Once we have standards, a governance structure can be drawn up; once we have a strategy, and establish safeguards to be able to build confidence in the process, I am confident that with these components we can transform good ideas into actions that are clearer, and more tangible.”

There is no guarantee that a proposal to begin drawing up a roadmap would win approval at COP30, although it may not need the formal approval of the summit, which proceeds by unanimous agreement and can be hijacked by particular groups. Climate analysts have suggested they believe there could be support for such a proposal from about 60 nations, but there are believed to be at least forty opposed. There are one hundred ninety-five nations participating at the talks.

“Despite being the root cause of global warming, fossil fuels are about the most divisive topic there is within the UN negotiations, so to see a sizable coalition of countries publicly backing a route to achieving worldwide transition is in itself highly significant.”

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

“We need this language for actual in this conversation. It’s quite stupid that we talk about all topics but then when fossil fuels are the actual challenge.”

Negotiations carried on on Saturday on several outstanding issues that have not yet been incorporated into the formal agenda: trade, openness, funding and how to tackle the gap between the emissions cuts countries have planned and those needed to keep to the 1.5C temperature target.

The summit president pledged a “note” that would cover these issues, after discussions – which have been going on since Monday – were inconclusive. He urged nations to adopt the “mutirão” spirit, referring to one of cooperation and constructive discussion.

Work on other substantive issues – such as adaptation to the effects of the climate emergency, the just transition for those impacted by the transition to a green economy and how to build governance capabilities in developing countries – carried on productively, the presidency said.

The host nation's lead representative said the technical part of the COP process was nearing completion, and the high-level stage – when ministers who have the authority to change their nations' stances join – was beginning.