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Brazil’s climate chief, Marina Silva, has urged every country to demonstrate the bravery needed to confront the imperative of a worldwide fossil fuel phaseout, labeling the development of a roadmap as an “ethical” response to the climate crisis.

She stressed, though, that involvement in this process would be voluntary and “self-determined” for willing nations.

The topic stands as one of the most contentious subjects at the COP30 in the host country, with nations split over whether and in what way such a roadmap can be discussed. As the host, the nation has maintained a balanced stance on which items can be included on the formal schedule.

Silva voiced approval for the potential of a plan, though not directly pledging Brazil to it. She stated: “In times we have a situation that is very challenging, it is good that we have a map. But the map does not compel us to proceed, or to advance.”

In an interview, the minister added: “The roadmap is an answer to our scientific knowledge [of the climate emergency]. It is an ethical answer.”

Dozens of countries meeting in Belém for the global climate conference, which is entering its second week, are seeking to establish how a global transition of fossil fuels could work. These nations hope to build on a landmark agreement made two years ago at COP28 to “move away from non-renewable energy sources.”

The commitment had no a schedule or details on how it could be realized, and even though it was passed by all, several countries have since tried to back away from the promise. Attempts last year to expand on its real-world meaning were blocked by opposition from oil-dependent nations at COP29.

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

For these reasons, the host has been wary of calls by certain nations to place the phaseout on the schedule for COP30. But the minister has strived in private to ensure the pledge could be talked about at the summit outside the official agenda.

She won over the nation's leader, and he made public reference three times to the need to “shift from reliance on traditional energy” at the global leaders' meeting that came before the conference, and at the start of the event.

“This is a matter that we understand at a certain time had to be raised, because it is the only way to address the issue from the root,” Marina Silva said. “We acknowledge that it is challenging, and we cannot offer false hopes. Raising the topic is brave, and I wish [to see] this bravery from everyone, from producing nations and consumers.”

Brazil had not started the call for a transition, the minister clarified, because that had been initiated at COP28. Instead, it was enabling the discussions to occur in accordance with what certain nations wished. “We understand these subjects are delicate. We will give the chance to talk about it,” the minister added.

Time is insufficient at the summit to draw up a roadmap, a task the minister said could take several years because many countries confronted complicated challenges around reliance on carbon-based energy, or wanted to use the revenue from selling oil and gas to fund their development.

“Brazil raises the topic, because it is simultaneously a producing nation and consumer,” the minister said. “But Brazil is unique, because Brazil, if it chooses to, need not rely on fossil fuels. We have to understand that there are certain nations that rely on carbon energy in their economic systems and don’t have simple solutions, and some where oil and gas are the basis of their economic structure.

“To be fair is to be just to everyone, but the fundamental, basic justice is not being unjust to the Earth, because it is our home.”

Should the proposal receives sufficient backing, the summit could establish a forum in which the process of creating a roadmap to the phaseout could begin.

The process would require discussions with every participating countries to the UN climate treaty and guidelines for how the initiative would proceed, Silva explained. “Once 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 turn good ideas into steps that are more defined, and more tangible.”

There is no guarantee that a proposal to begin drawing up a plan would be accepted at the conference, 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 indicated they believe there could be backing for such a proposal from about 60 nations, but there are thought to be at least 40 against. A total of one hundred ninety-five countries represented at the talks.

“Despite being the primary source of climate change, carbon-based energy are about the most divisive subject there is within the international climate talks, so to see a sizable coalition of nations publicly supporting a route to realizing global transition is in itself pretty groundbreaking.”

“In simple terms, there’s no path to a world where temperature rise stays below 1.5C in which countries aren’t able to talk about ending fossil fuel use.”

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

Discussions carried on on Saturday on four outstanding issues that have not yet been incorporated into the formal schedule: commerce, transparency, finance and how to tackle the shortfall between the carbon reduction nations have proposed and those needed to hold to the 1.5-degree warming target.

The summit president pledged a “note” that would address these issues, after consultations – which have been going on since Monday – were unresolved. He called on nations to adopt the “mutirão” spirit, referring to one of collaboration and constructive dialogue.

Work on additional substantive topics – including adjustment to the effects of the climate crisis, the just transition for those impacted by the move to a green economic system and how to strengthen governance capabilities in less developed nations – proceeded constructively, the host reported.

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