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The environment minister, Marina Silva, has urged all nations to show the courage needed to confront the necessity of a worldwide fossil fuel phaseout, describing the creation of a detailed plan as an “moral” response to the climate crisis.

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

The topic remains one of the most debated subjects at the COP30 in Brazil, with countries split over if and how such a roadmap can be discussed. As the host, the nation has maintained a balanced position on what can be included on the formal agenda.

The official voiced support for the possibility of a roadmap, though not explicitly pledging Brazil to it. The minister remarked: “When we have a situation that is quite grim, it is good that we have a guide. But the map does not force us to travel, or to advance.”

In an interview, she noted: “The map is an answer to our scientific knowledge [of the climate emergency]. It is an ethical answer.”

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

The commitment had no a timetable or details on how it could be realized, and although it was passed unanimously, several nations have since attempted to disavow the promise. Efforts last year to elaborate on its practical implications were blocked by resistance from oil-dependent nations at another UN summit.

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

For these reasons, Brazil has been wary of calls by some countries to include the transition on the agenda for the current summit. But the minister has strived behind the scenes to ensure the topic could be discussed at the summit outside the official agenda.

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

“This is a matter that we know at a certain time had to be raised, because it is the sole way to face the problem from the root,” Marina Silva explained. “We recognise that it is challenging, and we must not offer unrealistic expectations. Raising the subject is courageous, and I wish [to see] this courage from everyone, from producers and using countries.”

The nation had not initiated the push for a transition, she said, because that had been initiated at the earlier summit. Rather, it was allowing the talks to occur in line with what some nations desired. “We understand these subjects are sensitive. We will provide the opportunity to discuss it,” the minister added.

There is not enough time at the summit to draw up a roadmap, a task Silva called could take a number of years because many countries faced complicated issues around dependence on fossil fuels, or wanted to use the proceeds from selling fossil fuels to finance their economic growth.

“Brazil raises the topic, because Brazil is simultaneously a producer and consumer,” the minister noted. “But Brazil is different, because it, if it wants to, need not depend on non-renewables. We have to understand that there are certain nations that depend on carbon energy in their economic systems and lack easy solutions, and others where fossil fuels are the basis of their economy.

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

If the pledge gains sufficient support, COP30 could establish a platform in which the work of drawing up a roadmap to the transition could start.

This process would require discussions with every participating countries to the UN climate treaty and guidelines for how the process would proceed, the minister said. “After we have standards, a governance structure can be developed; once we have a plan, and create protections to be able to build trust in the system, I am confident that with these components we can turn positive concepts into actions that are more defined, and more tangible.”

There is no guarantee that a suggestion to begin developing a roadmap would be accepted at the conference, although it may not need the formal approval of the conference, which proceeds by unanimous agreement and can be disrupted by special interests. Climate analysts have indicated they believe there could be backing for such a idea from about sixty nations, but there are believed to be at least forty opposed. A total of 195 nations 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 sizable coalition of nations openly supporting a route to realizing global transition is in itself highly significant.”

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

“We require this language for real in this discussion. It’s highly illogical that we discuss all topics but then when fossil fuels are the real challenge.”

Negotiations continued on the weekend on several unresolved topics that have still not been included into the official schedule: commerce, openness, funding and how to address the shortfall between the carbon reduction countries have planned and those needed to hold to the 1.5C warming target.

A COP30 chair promised a “note” that would address these matters, after consultations – which have been underway since Monday – were inconclusive. The official urged countries to adopt the “mutirão” spirit, referring to one of cooperation and constructive dialogue.

Work on additional substantive topics – such as adjustment 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 strengthen institutional capacity in developing countries – proceeded constructively, the host reported.

The host nation's chief negotiator stated the detailed part of the summit process was approaching completion, and the political stage – when government leaders who have the power to change their nations' positions arrive – was beginning.