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Brazil’s environment minister, Marina Silva, has called on all nations to demonstrate the bravery needed to confront the necessity of a global transition away from fossil fuels, labeling the creation of a roadmap as an “ethical” answer to the global warming emergency.

The minister stressed, however, that involvement in this endeavor would be optional and “independently decided” for interested governments.

This issue stands as one of the most contentious subjects at the UN climate summit in the host country, with countries split over whether and how such a roadmap can be addressed. As the host, Brazil has adopted a carefully neutral stance on which items can be placed on the formal agenda.

The official voiced support for the possibility of a plan, though not explicitly pledging Brazil to it. She stated: “In times we have a terrain that is quite grim, it is helpful that we have a map. But the map does not compel us to proceed, or to advance.”

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

Scores of countries gathered in Belém for the global climate conference, which is entering its second week, are seeking to establish how a global phaseout of oil, gas, and coal could be implemented. These nations hope to advance a landmark resolution made two years ago at COP28 to “transition away from non-renewable energy sources.”

The pledge lacked a schedule or details on how it could be achieved, and although it was passed unanimously, several countries have later tried to back away from the pledge. Attempts last year to expand on its practical implications were blocked by resistance from petrostates at COP29.

Consequently, there was no reference of the shift away from fossil fuels in the outcome of that conference.

Because of this, the host has been wary of calls by some nations to include the phaseout on the schedule for COP30. But Silva has strived behind the scenes to ensure the topic could be discussed at the conference apart from the official program.

The minister convinced the nation's president, who made public reference repeatedly to the need to “move away from dependence on fossil fuels” at the global leaders' meeting that came before COP30, and at the start of the summit.

“The issue is a matter that we know at a certain time had to be put forward, because it is the only way to address the problem from the source,” Marina Silva said. “We recognise that it is challenging, and we cannot sell false hopes. Bringing up the topic is courageous, and I wish [to see] this courage from all, from producers and using countries.”

Brazil had not initiated the push for a transition, the minister clarified, because that had been done at COP28. Rather, it was enabling the discussions to take place in accordance with what certain countries desired. “We know these topics are sensitive. We will give the opportunity to talk about it,” she said.

Time is insufficient at the summit to draw up a roadmap, a process the minister called could take a number of years because numerous nations confronted complex issues around reliance on carbon-based energy, or wanted to use the revenue from exporting oil and gas to fund their economic growth.

“The country brings up the topic, because Brazil is both a producer and user,” the minister noted. “But the nation is unique, because it, if it chooses to, need not rely on fossil fuels. We have to recognise that there are some that rely on fossil fuels in their economies and lack simple alternatives, and others where fossil fuels are the basis of their economic structure.

“To be fair is to be just to all, but the fundamental, basic justice is to avoid being unjust to the planet, because it is our shared home.”

If the pledge receives enough backing, COP30 could establish a forum in which the process of drawing up a strategy to the transition could begin.

The endeavor would involve discussions with all participating nations to the UN climate treaty and guidelines for how the initiative would unfold, Silva said. “After we have criteria, a governance structure can be drawn up; after we have a plan, and create safeguards to be able to establish confidence in the process, I believe that with these components we can transform positive concepts into actions that are more defined, and more concrete.”

It is uncertain that a proposal to begin developing a plan would be accepted at COP30, even if it does not require the formal approval of the summit, which proceeds by consensus and can be disrupted by particular groups. Climate analysts have suggested they believe there could be support for such a idea from about sixty nations, but there are believed to be at least forty opposed. There are 195 countries represented at the negotiations.

“In spite of being the root cause of global warming, fossil fuels are about the most contentious topic there is within the international climate talks, so to see a chunky coalition of nations openly backing a route to achieving global phaseout is in itself highly significant.”

“Put simply, there’s no route to a planet where temperature rise stays below 1.5C in which countries aren’t able to discuss fossil fuel phaseout.”

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

Discussions continued on the weekend on several unresolved issues that have still not been incorporated into the official agenda: trade, openness, funding and how to address the gap between the carbon reduction countries have planned and those required to hold to the 1.5C warming limit.

A COP30 president promised a “document” that would cover these matters, after discussions – which have been underway since Monday – were unresolved. The official called on countries to adopt the “mutirão” spirit, referring to one of collaboration and constructive discussion.

Progress on other key issues – including adaptation to the effects of the climate emergency, the just transition for those impacted by the move to a green economic system and how to build governance capabilities in developing countries – proceeded productively, the presidency said.

The host nation's chief negotiator stated the technical part of the summit proceedings was nearing the end, and the high-level phase – when ministers who have the power to alter their nations' positions join – was beginning.