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Brazil’s environment minister, Marina Silva, has called on every country to show the courage needed to address the imperative of a worldwide fossil fuel phaseout, describing the development of a detailed plan as an “ethical” response to the climate crisis.

The minister emphasized, however, that participation in this endeavor would be optional and “self-determined” for willing governments.

This issue stands as one of the most debated subjects at the UN climate summit in Brazil, with countries divided over whether and how such a roadmap can be addressed. As the host, Brazil has maintained a balanced stance on which items can be placed on the formal agenda.

Silva expressed approval for the possibility of a plan, without explicitly committing Brazil to it. The minister stated: “When we have a situation that is very challenging, it is good that we have a guide. But the guide does not compel us to proceed, or to advance.”

In an interview, the minister noted: “The roadmap is an answer to our scientific understanding [of the climate crisis]. It is an moral response.”

Scores of countries gathered in the host city for the UN climate summit, which is entering its next phase, are seeking to determine how a global transition of oil, gas, and coal could be implemented. They aim to build on a historic resolution made two years ago at COP28 to “transition away from non-renewable energy sources.”

That commitment had no a schedule or specifics on how it could be realized, and although it was adopted by all, some nations have later attempted to disavow the promise. Attempts last year to elaborate on its real-world implications were stymied by opposition from oil-dependent nations at COP29.

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

For these reasons, Brazil has been cautious of calls by certain countries to place the phaseout on the schedule for the current summit. But Silva has worked hard behind the scenes to make sure the topic could be talked about at the conference outside the official agenda.

The minister won over Brazil’s leader, and he gave mention three times to the need to “shift from dependence on traditional energy” at the global leaders' meeting that came before the conference, and at the opening of the event.

“This is something that we know at some point had to be put forward, because it is the only way to face the issue from the source,” the minister said. “We acknowledge that it is challenging, and we cannot offer false hopes. Bringing up the topic is brave, and I wish [to see] this courage from everyone, from producers and using countries.”

The nation had not started the call for a transition, she said, because that had been initiated at the earlier summit. Rather, it was allowing the discussions to occur in accordance with what certain nations desired. “We know these subjects are delicate. We will give the opportunity to discuss it,” the minister added.

There is not enough time at COP30 to draw up a roadmap, a task the minister said could take a number of years because numerous nations confronted complicated issues around reliance on carbon-based energy, or wanted to use the revenue from exporting fossil fuels to finance their development.

“Brazil brings up the subject, because it is both a producer and user,” the minister said. “But the nation is unique, because it, if it wants to, does not have to rely on non-renewables. We have to recognise that there are certain nations that rely on carbon energy in their economies and lack simple solutions, and others where oil and gas are the basis of their economic structure.

“To be fair is to be just to everyone, but the essential, basic fairness is to avoid being unfair to the planet, because it is our home.”

Should the proposal receives sufficient backing, COP30 could set up a platform in which the work of drawing up a strategy to the transition could begin.

The endeavor would involve dialogue with every signatory countries to the UN climate treaty and criteria for how the initiative would proceed, the minister said. “After we have standards, a governance structure can be drawn up; after we have a plan, and establish protections to be able to establish 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 suggestion to begin developing a roadmap would be accepted at the conference, even if it may not need the formal consent of the conference, which operates by unanimous agreement and can be hijacked by particular groups. COP experts have suggested they believe there could be backing for such a proposal from about sixty countries, but there are believed to be at least 40 opposed. There are one hundred ninety-five countries participating at the negotiations.

“Despite being the root cause of climate change, fossil fuels are about the most contentious subject there is within the UN negotiations, so to see a chunky coalition of countries openly supporting a route to realizing global transition is in itself highly significant.”

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

“We require this language for real in this conversation. It’s highly illogical that we talk about all topics but that when fossil fuels are the actual challenge.”

Discussions carried on on the weekend on several outstanding topics that have still not been incorporated into the formal schedule: trade, openness, finance and how to tackle the gap between the carbon reduction countries have proposed and those needed to keep to the 1.5C warming target.

The summit president pledged a “document” that would address these matters, after consultations – which have been going on since the start of the week – were unresolved. He urged countries to adopt the “mutirão” attitude, meaning one of cooperation and constructive dialogue.

Progress on other key topics – including adaptation to the effects of the climate crisis, the just transition for those affected by the move to a low-carbon economy and how to build institutional capacity in developing countries – proceeded productively, the presidency said.

Brazil’s lead representative stated the technical part of the summit proceedings was nearing the end, and the political phase – when ministers who have the power to change their countries’ stances join – was beginning.