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The environment minister, the minister, has called on all nations to show the courage needed to confront the necessity of a worldwide fossil fuel phaseout, labeling the development of a roadmap as an “ethical” response to the climate crisis.

She emphasized, though, that participation in this endeavor would be voluntary and “independently decided” for willing nations.

The topic stands as one of the most contentious subjects at the UN climate summit in the host country, with countries split over whether and how such a roadmap can be addressed. As the host, the nation has maintained a balanced position on which items can be placed on the official schedule.

Silva voiced approval for the possibility of a roadmap, though not directly committing the country to it. The minister stated: “When we have a situation that is very challenging, it is helpful that we have a map. But the map does not force us to proceed, or to climb.”

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

Scores of countries meeting in Belém for the UN climate summit, which is starting its second week, are seeking to establish how a global phaseout of fossil fuels could be implemented. They aim to build on a landmark agreement reached two years ago at a previous UN summit to “move away from non-renewable energy sources.”

That pledge had no a schedule or details on the way it could be realized, and even though it was passed by all, several countries have since attempted to disavow the promise. Efforts last year to expand on its practical meaning were stymied by resistance from petrostates at another UN summit.

As a result, there was no reference of the shift away from fossil fuels in the final agreement of that conference.

Because of this, Brazil has been cautious of calls by some nations to include the transition on the schedule for COP30. But Silva has worked hard behind the scenes to ensure the topic could be talked about at the summit outside the official program.

The minister won over the nation's leader, who gave public reference three times to the need to “shift from reliance on traditional energy” at the summit of world leaders that preceded the conference, and at the start of the event.

“This is something that we know at a certain time had to be raised, because it is the sole way to address the problem from the root,” Marina Silva said. “We recognise that it is challenging, and we cannot offer unrealistic expectations. Bringing up the subject is brave, and I wish [to see] this courage from everyone, from producers and using countries.”

The nation had not started the push for a transition, she clarified, because that had been initiated at COP28. Rather, it was allowing the talks to occur in accordance with what certain nations wished. “We know these subjects are sensitive. We will provide the opportunity to discuss it,” she added.

There is not enough time at the summit to create a roadmap, a process Silva said could take several years because numerous nations confronted complex challenges around reliance on carbon-based energy, or aimed to use the proceeds from selling fossil fuels to fund their economic growth.

“The country brings up the topic, because Brazil is both a producing nation and user,” the minister noted. “But Brazil is unique, because Brazil, if it wants to, need not depend on fossil fuels. We have to understand that there are certain nations that rely on carbon energy in their economies and lack easy alternatives, and some where oil and gas are the basis of their economy.

“To be fair is to be fair to all, but the fundamental, primordial justice is not being unjust to the Earth, because it is our home.”

If the pledge receives enough backing, COP30 could set up a forum in which the process of drawing up a strategy to the phaseout could start.

This endeavor would involve discussions with all signatory nations to the UN framework convention on climate change and criteria for how the process would unfold, the minister said. “After we have standards, a management framework can be drawn up; once we have a strategy, and create safeguards to be able to establish confidence in the system, I am confident that with these components we can turn good ideas into steps that are more defined, and more tangible.”

There is no guarantee that a proposal to start drawing up a plan would be accepted at COP30, although it may not need the official approval of the conference, which proceeds by unanimous agreement and can be hijacked by particular groups. COP analysts have suggested they believe there could be backing for such a idea from about sixty countries, but there are thought to be at least 40 opposed. There are one hundred ninety-five nations represented at the talks.

“In spite of being the root cause of climate change, fossil fuels are about the most divisive topic there is within the UN negotiations, so to see a chunky group of nations publicly backing a path to realizing global transition is in itself highly significant.”

“In simple terms, there’s no path to a world where temperature rise remains below 1.5C in which nations aren’t able to discuss ending fossil fuel use.”

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

Negotiations continued on the weekend on several outstanding topics that have not yet been incorporated into the official schedule: commerce, openness, funding and how to address the gap between the carbon reduction countries have proposed and those required to hold to the 1.5-degree temperature limit.

The COP30 chair promised a “note” that would cover these matters, after discussions – which have been underway since the start of the week – were inconclusive. The official urged nations to adopt the “mutirão” spirit, referring to one of cooperation and positive discussion.

Progress on additional substantive issues – such as adaptation to the effects of the climate crisis, the fair shift for those affected by the transition to a green economic system and how to strengthen institutional capacity in developing countries – carried on productively, the host said.

Brazil’s lead representative said the technical part of the COP proceedings was nearing completion, and the high-level phase – when government leaders who have the authority to change their countries’ stances join – was beginning.