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Brazil’s climate chief, Marina Silva, has called on all nations to demonstrate the courage needed to confront the imperative of a global transition away from fossil fuels, labeling the development of a roadmap as an “ethical” response to the global warming emergency.

The minister stressed, though, that involvement in this process would be voluntary and “independently decided” for interested governments.

The topic stands as one of the most debated subjects at the UN climate summit in Brazil, with nations split over whether and in what way such a strategy can be addressed. As the host, the nation has maintained a balanced position on what can be included on the formal agenda.

Silva voiced approval for the possibility of a roadmap, though not explicitly committing Brazil to it. The minister stated: “When we have a terrain that is quite grim, it is good that we have a map. But the guide does not compel us to travel, or to advance.”

Speaking further, the minister added: “The map is an response to our scientific understanding [of the climate emergency]. It is an moral response.”

Scores of countries gathered in Belém for the global climate conference, which is entering its second week, are seeking to determine how a worldwide phaseout of fossil fuels could work. They hope to advance a historic agreement made two years ago at a previous UN summit to “transition away from fossil fuels.”

The commitment had no a schedule or details on the way it could be achieved, and although it was adopted unanimously, some nations have since attempted to disavow the promise. Efforts last year to elaborate on its practical meaning were stymied by opposition from oil-dependent nations at COP29.

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

Because of this, the host has been cautious of demands by certain countries to include the transition on the agenda for the current summit. But Silva has strived in private to ensure the pledge could be discussed at the summit outside the official program.

The minister convinced Brazil’s leader, and he made mention repeatedly to the need to “move away from dependence on fossil fuels” at the summit of world leaders that came before COP30, and at the opening of the summit.

“This is a matter that we know at some point had to be raised, because it is the only way to face the issue from the source,” Marina Silva said. “We acknowledge that it is challenging, and we must not sell unrealistic expectations. Bringing up the subject is brave, and I hope [to see] this courage from everyone, from producing nations and using countries.”

Brazil had not started the call for a phaseout, she said, because that had been initiated at the earlier summit. Rather, it was enabling the discussions to occur in line with what some nations wished. “We understand these subjects are delicate. We will give the chance to talk about it,” the minister said.

There is not enough time at COP30 to draw up a roadmap, a task the minister said could take a number of years because many nations confronted complicated challenges around reliance on carbon-based energy, or aimed to use the proceeds from exporting fossil fuels to finance their economic growth.

“Brazil brings up the subject, because Brazil is simultaneously a producing nation and consumer,” the minister said. “But the nation is unique, because Brazil, if it chooses to, does not have to rely on fossil fuels. We have to understand that there are some that rely on carbon energy in their economic systems and lack easy alternatives, and others where fossil fuels are the foundation of their economic structure.

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

If the pledge receives enough support, COP30 could establish a forum in which the work of drawing up a strategy to the phaseout could begin.

The endeavor would require discussions with every participating countries to the UN climate treaty and criteria for how the process would unfold, the minister said. “After we have standards, a governance structure can be developed; after we have a plan, and create safeguards to be able to build confidence in the system, I am confident that with these elements we can transform good ideas into steps that are more defined, and more tangible.”

It is uncertain that a suggestion to begin developing a plan would be accepted at the conference, even if it may not need the formal consent of the summit, which proceeds by consensus and can be hijacked by special interests. Climate experts have suggested they think there could be support for such a proposal from about 60 nations, but there are thought to be at least forty opposed. A total of 195 nations participating at the talks.

“Despite 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 publicly backing a path to realizing global phaseout is in itself pretty groundbreaking.”

“Put simply, there’s no path to a world where warming stays below 1.5C in which nations aren’t able to discuss ending fossil fuel use.”

“We need this language for real in this discussion. It’s quite stupid that we talk about all topics but then when fossil fuels are the real challenge.”

Negotiations carried on on the weekend on several unresolved issues that have still not been included into the official agenda: commerce, openness, funding and how to tackle the gap between the carbon reduction nations have planned and those needed to keep to the 1.5C temperature limit.

A summit chair pledged a “document” that would address these matters, after consultations – which have been going on since Monday – were unresolved. The official called on nations to embrace the “mutirão” spirit, referring to one of collaboration and positive discussion.

Progress on other substantive issues – such as adjustment to the effects of the climate emergency, the just transition for those impacted by the transition to a green economy and how to strengthen institutional capacity in developing countries – proceeded productively, the presidency reported.

The host nation's lead representative stated the technical phase of the COP proceedings was nearing completion, and the high-level stage – when ministers who have the authority to alter their nations' positions arrive – was starting.