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The environment minister, Marina Silva, has called on all nations to demonstrate the bravery needed to confront the necessity of a worldwide fossil fuel phaseout, labeling the creation of a detailed plan as an “moral” response to the global warming emergency.

She emphasized, though, that involvement in this process would be optional and “self-determined” for willing nations.

The topic remains one of the most debated matters at the COP30 in Brazil, with countries divided over whether and in what way such a strategy can be addressed. Hosting the event, Brazil has adopted a balanced stance on what can be included on the formal agenda.

The official voiced approval for the potential of a plan, without directly committing the country to it. The minister stated: “In times we have a terrain that is very challenging, it is helpful that we have a guide. But the map does not force us to travel, 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 nations gathered in Belém for the global climate conference, which is starting its next phase, are seeking to establish how a worldwide phaseout of fossil fuels could work. These nations hope to build on a historic resolution made two years ago at a previous UN summit to “transition away from non-renewable energy sources.”

The pledge had no a timetable or specifics on how it could be realized, and even though it was adopted unanimously, several countries have since attempted to disavow the pledge. Efforts last year to expand on its real-world meaning were stymied by resistance from petrostates at COP29.

Consequently, there was no reference of the shift away from carbon fuels in the outcome of COP29.

Because of this, the host has been cautious of demands by some countries to include the phaseout on the agenda for COP30. But the minister has strived behind the scenes to ensure the pledge could be talked about at the conference apart from the formal program.

The minister won over Brazil’s leader, and he made mention three times to the need to “shift from reliance on fossil fuels” 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 put forward, because it is the only way to address the issue from the root,” Marina Silva explained. “We acknowledge that it is challenging, and we cannot sell false hopes. Raising the topic is courageous, and I hope [to see] this courage from all, from producing nations and using countries.”

The nation had not started the call for a phaseout, the minister clarified, because that had been initiated at the earlier summit. Rather, it was allowing the discussions to take place in line with what some countries wished. “We understand these subjects are sensitive. We will give the opportunity to discuss it,” the minister said.

Time is insufficient at COP30 to draw up a roadmap, a process Silva called could take several years because many nations faced complicated issues around dependence on carbon-based energy, or aimed to use the revenue from exporting fossil fuels to fund their development.

“The country raises the subject, because it is both a producer and consumer,” she said. “But the nation is different, because it, if it wants to, need not depend on non-renewables. We have to recognise that there are some that rely on fossil fuels in their economic systems and don’t have easy alternatives, and some where oil and gas are the basis of their economy.

“To be just is to be just to all, but the fundamental, primordial fairness is not being unfair to the planet, because it is our home.”

Should the proposal receives sufficient support, the summit could set up a platform in which the work of drawing up a roadmap to the phaseout could begin.

The process would require discussions with all signatory nations to the UN framework convention on climate change and criteria for how the initiative would unfold, the minister said. “Once we have standards, a governance structure can be developed; once we have a strategy, and create protections to be able to establish confidence in the process, I am confident that with these elements we can turn positive concepts into steps that are more defined, and more tangible.”

There is no guarantee that a proposal to begin drawing up a plan would be accepted at COP30, although it does not require the official approval of the summit, which proceeds by unanimous agreement and can be disrupted by special interests. Climate analysts have indicated they believe there could be support for such a idea from about 60 nations, but there are believed to be at least 40 against. A total of one hundred ninety-five nations participating at the negotiations.

“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 chunky group of countries openly supporting a route to achieving worldwide transition is in itself pretty groundbreaking.”

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

“We need this language for real in this discussion. It’s highly illogical that we talk about everything but then when the main issue are the actual problem.”

Discussions carried on on the weekend on four outstanding issues that have still not been included into the formal schedule: trade, openness, finance and how to tackle the gap between the emissions cuts nations have planned and those needed to keep to the 1.5-degree temperature target.

The COP30 president promised a “note” that would cover these matters, after consultations – which have been underway since Monday – were inconclusive. He called on nations to adopt the “mutirão” spirit, referring to one of cooperation and positive discussion.

Work on other key topics – such as adjustment to the impacts of the climate crisis, the fair shift for those affected by the transition to a low-carbon economy and how to build institutional capacity in developing countries – carried on constructively, the host reported.

The host nation's lead representative stated the technical phase of the COP proceedings was nearing the end, and the political stage – when ministers who have the power to alter their countries’ positions join – was starting.