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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, labeling the development of a detailed plan as an “moral” answer to the climate crisis.

She stressed, though, that involvement in this process would be optional and “independently decided” for willing nations.

The topic stands as one of the most debated subjects at the COP30 in Brazil, with nations split over whether and in what way such a roadmap can be discussed. Hosting the event, the nation has maintained a carefully neutral stance on which items can be included on the formal schedule.

The official expressed support for the possibility of a roadmap, without directly committing Brazil to it. She remarked: “In times we have a situation that is quite grim, it is helpful that we have a guide. But the map does not force us to proceed, or to climb.”

Speaking further, the minister noted: “The map is an answer to our scientific knowledge [of the climate crisis]. It is an moral response.”

Dozens of nations meeting in Belém for the UN climate summit, which is starting its second week, are seeking to establish how a global transition of fossil fuels could work. These nations hope to advance a historic agreement made two years ago at COP28 to “move away from fossil fuels.”

That pledge lacked a schedule or specifics on the way it could be achieved, and although it was passed by all, several nations have later attempted to disavow the pledge. Efforts last year to elaborate on its practical implications were blocked by resistance from oil-dependent nations at COP29.

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

Because of this, the host has been cautious of demands by certain countries to include the transition on the schedule for COP30. But the minister has worked hard in private to make sure the topic could be talked about at the summit outside the official program.

The minister won over the nation's president, and he gave mention three times to the need to “move away from reliance on traditional energy” at the global leaders' meeting that preceded COP30, and at the start of the event.

“The issue is something that we understand at some point had to be put forward, because it is the only way to address the problem from the source,” Marina Silva explained. “We acknowledge that it is not easy, and we cannot sell unrealistic expectations. Bringing up the topic is courageous, and I hope [to see] this bravery from all, from producers and consumers.”

The nation had not started the push for a phaseout, the minister 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 desired. “We understand these subjects are sensitive. We will provide the chance to discuss it,” she added.

There is not enough time at the summit to create a roadmap, a task the minister called could take a number of years because many nations faced complicated issues around reliance on carbon-based energy, or aimed to use the revenue from exporting oil and gas to finance their economic growth.

“Brazil raises the subject, because Brazil is simultaneously a producing nation and consumer,” the minister said. “But Brazil is unique, because Brazil, if it wants to, need not rely on fossil fuels. We have to understand that there are certain nations that depend on fossil fuels in their economies and don’t have simple solutions, and others where fossil fuels are the foundation of their economy.

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

If the proposal gains enough support, COP30 could establish a platform in which the process of drawing up a strategy to the phaseout could start.

This process would involve discussions with all participating nations to the UN framework convention on climate change and guidelines for how the initiative would unfold, the minister explained. “After we have standards, a governance structure can be drawn up; once we have a plan, and create safeguards to be able to build trust in the process, I believe that with these components we can transform positive concepts into actions that are clearer, and more tangible.”

There is no guarantee that a suggestion to start developing a roadmap would win approval at COP30, although it may not need the formal consent of the summit, which proceeds 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 60 nations, but there are believed to be at least 40 opposed. There are 195 countries participating at the talks.

“In spite of being the root cause of climate change, carbon-based energy are about the most divisive topic there is within the international climate talks, so to see a sizable coalition of nations openly supporting a path to achieving global transition is in itself highly significant.”

“Put simply, there’s no route to a world where warming remains below 1.5 degrees in which countries aren’t able to talk about fossil fuel phaseout.”

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

Discussions continued on the weekend on several outstanding issues that have still not been included into the official schedule: trade, transparency, funding and how to tackle the gap between the emissions cuts countries have planned and those needed to hold to the 1.5-degree warming target.

The COP30 president pledged a “document” that would cover these matters, after consultations – which have been going on since the start of the week – were unresolved. He urged countries to embrace the “mutirão” attitude, meaning one of cooperation and constructive dialogue.

Work on other key topics – such as 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 strengthen governance capabilities in less developed nations – carried on constructively, the presidency said.

Brazil’s lead representative stated the technical phase of the summit process was nearing the end, and the political phase – when ministers who have the power to alter their nations' stances arrive – was starting.