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Brazil’s environment minister, Marina Silva, has called on all nations to demonstrate the bravery needed to address the necessity of a global fossil fuel phaseout, describing the creation of a roadmap as an “ethical” answer to the climate crisis.

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

The topic remains one of the most contentious subjects at the UN climate summit in Brazil, with nations divided over whether and how such a strategy can be discussed. Hosting the event, the nation has maintained a balanced stance on which items can be included on the official schedule.

Silva expressed support for the potential of a roadmap, without directly pledging Brazil to it. The minister stated: “In times we have a terrain that is quite grim, it is good that we have a map. But the map does not compel us to travel, or to advance.”

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

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

That pledge lacked a timetable or details on how it could be achieved, and even though it was adopted unanimously, some nations have later attempted to back away from the pledge. Efforts last year to expand on its real-world implications were blocked by resistance from oil-dependent nations at another UN summit.

Consequently, there was no mention of the transition away from fossil fuels in the outcome of COP29.

Because of this, Brazil has been cautious of demands by certain countries to place the transition on the agenda for the current summit. But the minister has worked hard behind the scenes to ensure the pledge could be discussed at the summit outside the official agenda.

She convinced the nation's president, and he made mention repeatedly to the need to “move away from reliance on traditional energy” at the summit of world leaders that came before the conference, and at the start of the event.

“The issue is something that we understand at a certain time had to be raised, because it is the only way to face the problem from the source,” the minister said. “We recognise that it is not easy, and we must not sell unrealistic expectations. Raising the topic is courageous, and I hope [to see] this bravery from all, from producers and using countries.”

The nation had not initiated the push for a transition, she said, because that had been done at the earlier summit. Instead, it was allowing the discussions to take place in accordance with what certain countries wished. “We know these subjects are sensitive. We will give the chance to discuss it,” the minister said.

Time is insufficient at the summit to create a detailed plan, a process Silva called could take a number of years because numerous countries faced complicated challenges around reliance on carbon-based energy, or wanted to use the revenue from selling fossil fuels to finance their development.

“Brazil brings up the subject, because it is both a producing nation and user,” the minister noted. “But the nation is unique, because it, if it wants to, need not depend on fossil fuels. We have to recognise that there are certain nations that depend on carbon energy in their economic systems and lack easy alternatives, 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, primordial fairness is to avoid being unfair to the Earth, because it is our home.”

If the proposal gains sufficient backing, COP30 could establish a forum in which the process of drawing up a roadmap to the phaseout could start.

The endeavor would involve discussions with all signatory nations to the UN framework convention on climate change and criteria for how the process would proceed, the minister explained. “Once we have criteria, a management framework can be developed; once we have a strategy, and establish safeguards to be able to build trust in the process, I am confident that with these components we can transform positive concepts into steps that are clearer, and more tangible.”

It is uncertain that a proposal to start drawing up a roadmap would be accepted at the conference, even if it does not require the formal approval of the summit, which operates by consensus and can be disrupted by particular groups. Climate experts have indicated they think there could be backing for such a proposal from about sixty nations, but there are believed to be at least 40 opposed. A total of 195 nations participating at the negotiations.

“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 chunky group of nations openly backing a path to realizing global phaseout is in itself highly significant.”

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

“We need this language for real in this conversation. It’s highly illogical that we discuss all topics but then when the main issue are the actual problem.”

Discussions continued on the weekend on four outstanding issues that have still not been incorporated into the formal schedule: commerce, openness, funding and how to tackle the shortfall between the carbon reduction countries have proposed and those needed to hold to the 1.5-degree temperature target.

The summit chair promised a “note” that would address these issues, after consultations – which have been going on since Monday – were inconclusive. He urged nations to embrace the “mutirão” spirit, referring to one of collaboration and positive discussion.

Work on additional key issues – including adjustment to the effects of the climate emergency, the just transition for those impacted by the move to a low-carbon economy and how to build institutional capacity in developing countries – carried on productively, the presidency said.

The host nation's chief negotiator stated the technical part of the COP proceedings was nearing the end, and the high-level phase – when ministers who have the authority to change their nations' positions arrive – was starting.