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The environment minister, Marina Silva, has called on all nations to show the bravery needed to confront the necessity of a worldwide fossil fuel phaseout, describing the development of a roadmap as an “ethical” answer to the climate crisis.

She stressed, though, that participation in this endeavor would be optional and “self-determined” for interested governments.

The topic remains one of the most debated matters at the UN climate summit in Brazil, with nations split over whether and how such a strategy can be addressed. As the host, Brazil has adopted a carefully neutral position on what can be included on the formal schedule.

Silva voiced support for the possibility of a roadmap, without directly pledging Brazil to it. She remarked: “In times we have a situation that is quite grim, it is good that we have a map. But the guide does not force us to travel, or to advance.”

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

Dozens of countries meeting in the host city for the global climate conference, which is entering its second week, are aiming to determine how a worldwide transition of fossil fuels could work. They aim to build on a historic agreement made two years ago at a previous UN summit to “transition away from non-renewable energy sources.”

The pledge had no a schedule or specifics on how it could be realized, and although it was passed unanimously, some countries have since tried to disavow the promise. Efforts last year to elaborate on its real-world implications were stymied by opposition from oil-dependent nations at COP29.

As a result, there was no mention of the shift away from fossil fuels in the outcome of that conference.

Because of this, Brazil has been cautious of calls by some countries to place the transition on the schedule for the current summit. But Silva has worked hard behind the scenes to ensure the pledge could be talked about at the conference outside the formal program.

The minister convinced the nation's leader, who gave mention three times to the need to “move away from dependence on traditional energy” at the summit of world leaders that came before COP30, and at the start of the event.

“The issue is something that we understand at some point had to be raised, because it is the only way to address the problem from the source,” Marina Silva explained. “We recognise that it is not easy, and we must not offer false hopes. Raising the topic is brave, and I hope [to see] this bravery from everyone, from producers and using countries.”

Brazil had not initiated the push for a phaseout, the minister clarified, because that had been initiated at the earlier summit. Rather, it was enabling the discussions to take place in line with what some nations desired. “We understand these subjects are delicate. We will provide the chance to talk about it,” she said.

There is not enough time at the summit to create a detailed plan, a process Silva said could take several years because many countries confronted complex issues around reliance on fossil fuels, or wanted to use the proceeds from exporting oil and gas to finance their development.

“The country brings up the subject, because Brazil is simultaneously a producer and user,” she noted. “But the nation is different, because it, if it chooses to, does not have to depend on non-renewables. We have to understand that there are some that depend on carbon energy in their economies and don’t have simple alternatives, and some where oil and gas are the foundation of their economic structure.

“To be fair is to be fair to all, but the essential, basic fairness is not being unjust to the planet, because it is our home.”

Should the pledge receives sufficient support, COP30 could establish a forum in which the process of drawing up a roadmap to the transition could begin.

This process would involve dialogue with all signatory countries to the UN climate treaty and criteria for how the process would unfold, Silva said. “After we have standards, a management framework can be drawn up; after we have a plan, and establish protections to be able to build trust in the process, I am confident that with these elements we can transform good ideas into steps that are clearer, and more concrete.”

There is no guarantee that a proposal to begin drawing up a roadmap would win approval at COP30, although it may not need the official consent of the conference, which operates by consensus and can be hijacked by special interests. Climate experts 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 countries represented at the negotiations.

“In spite of being the root cause of global warming, fossil fuels are about the most divisive subject there is within the UN negotiations, so to see a chunky coalition of nations publicly supporting a route to achieving global transition is in itself highly significant.”

“Put simply, there’s no path to a planet where temperature rise remains below 1.5 degrees in which nations cannot to discuss ending fossil fuel use.”

“We need this wording for actual in this conversation. It’s highly illogical that we talk about everything but then when fossil fuels are the actual problem.”

Negotiations continued on Saturday on four unresolved issues that have still not been incorporated into the official agenda: trade, transparency, finance and how to tackle the gap between the carbon reduction countries have proposed and those needed to keep to the 1.5C temperature limit.

A summit president promised a “note” that would cover these matters, after discussions – which have been going on since the start of the week – were unresolved. The official urged nations to embrace the “mutirão” spirit, referring to one of cooperation and constructive discussion.

Work on additional key issues – including adjustment to the effects of the climate emergency, the fair shift for those impacted by the move to a green economic system and how to build governance capabilities in developing countries – proceeded constructively, the host said.

Brazil’s lead representative said the technical phase of the summit proceedings was nearing the end, and the high-level stage – when ministers who have the authority to alter their nations' positions arrive – was beginning.