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The environment minister, Marina Silva, has called on every country to show the courage needed to address the imperative of a global fossil fuel phaseout, labeling the creation of a roadmap as an “moral” answer to the global warming emergency.

The minister stressed, though, that participation in this endeavor would be voluntary and “independently decided” for interested nations.

The topic stands as one of the most debated subjects at the UN climate summit in Brazil, with countries divided over whether and in what way such a roadmap can be discussed. As the host, the nation has adopted a balanced stance on what can be included on the formal schedule.

The official voiced approval for the potential of a plan, though not directly pledging the country to it. She stated: “When we have a terrain that is very challenging, it is helpful that we have a map. But the map does not force us to proceed, or to climb.”

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

Dozens of countries gathered in the host city for the global climate conference, which is starting its second week, are seeking to determine how a worldwide phaseout of fossil fuels could work. These nations aim to advance a landmark resolution reached two years ago at COP28 to “move away from fossil fuels.”

The commitment lacked a timetable or details on how it could be achieved, and although it was adopted unanimously, several countries have later tried to back away from the pledge. Attempts last year to expand on its practical implications 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 outcome of that conference.

Because of this, the host has been cautious of demands by certain countries to include the phaseout on the agenda for COP30. But the minister has worked hard in private to make sure the topic could be discussed at the summit outside the official agenda.

She convinced the nation's president, and he made public reference three times to the need to “move away from dependence on fossil fuels” at the global leaders' meeting that preceded COP30, and at the start of the summit.

“The issue is a matter that we know at a certain time had to be raised, because it is the sole way to face the issue from the source,” the minister explained. “We acknowledge that it is challenging, and we must not sell false hopes. Bringing up the topic is brave, and I wish [to see] this bravery from all, from producing nations and consumers.”

Brazil had not initiated the push for a transition, the minister said, because that had been done at COP28. Rather, it was enabling the discussions to occur in line with what certain countries desired. “We understand these subjects are sensitive. We will give the opportunity to talk about it,” she added.

There is not enough time at the summit to create a detailed plan, a task Silva called could take several years because numerous nations faced complex issues around dependence on fossil fuels, or aimed to use the revenue from selling fossil fuels to finance their development.

“The country brings up the topic, because it is both a producer and user,” she said. “But Brazil is unique, because it, if it wants to, does not have to rely on non-renewables. We have to understand that there are some that depend on carbon energy in their economic systems and lack easy alternatives, and others where oil and gas are the foundation of their economy.

“To be fair is to be just to all, but the essential, primordial fairness is to avoid being unjust to the planet, because it is our shared home.”

If the pledge receives sufficient support, COP30 could set up a forum in which the work of creating a roadmap to the transition could start.

The process would involve dialogue with every participating nations to the UN framework convention on climate change and guidelines for how the initiative would unfold, Silva explained. “Once we have standards, a management framework can be drawn up; after we have a plan, and create protections to be able to build confidence in the system, I am confident that with these components we can turn positive concepts 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 proceeds by consensus and can be hijacked by special interests. COP analysts have suggested they believe there could be support for such a proposal from about 60 countries, but there are believed to be at least forty opposed. There are 195 nations participating at the talks.

“In spite of being the root cause of climate change, fossil fuels are about the most contentious topic there is within the UN negotiations, so to see a sizable coalition of countries openly supporting a path to realizing global phaseout is in itself highly significant.”

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

“We need this wording for real in this discussion. It’s highly illogical that we discuss everything but that when fossil fuels are the actual problem.”

Negotiations continued on Saturday on four unresolved issues that have still not been incorporated into the formal schedule: commerce, transparency, funding and how to address the shortfall between the carbon reduction nations have planned and those needed to hold to the 1.5-degree temperature limit.

A summit president promised a “note” that would address these issues, after consultations – which have been underway since Monday – were inconclusive. The official called on countries to embrace the “mutirão” attitude, meaning one of cooperation and constructive dialogue.

Work on other key topics – including adaptation to the impacts of the climate emergency, the fair shift for those impacted by the move to a low-carbon economic system and how to build institutional capacity in less developed nations – carried on constructively, the presidency said.

Brazil’s chief negotiator said the detailed phase of the COP proceedings was nearing the end, and the high-level stage – when ministers who have the authority to alter their countries’ stances join – was beginning.