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Brazil’s climate chief, Marina Silva, has called on all nations to demonstrate the bravery needed to address the imperative of a worldwide fossil fuel phaseout, labeling the development of a detailed plan as an “ethical” response to the climate crisis.

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

This issue stands as one of the most contentious matters at the UN climate summit in the host country, with nations split over whether and how such a strategy can be discussed. As the host, Brazil has adopted a balanced stance on what can be placed on the official agenda.

The official expressed support for the possibility of a plan, though not directly committing Brazil to it. She stated: “When we have a situation that is very challenging, it is helpful that we have a map. But the guide does not compel us to travel, or to climb.”

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

Scores of countries gathered in the host city for the UN climate summit, which is starting its next phase, are aiming to establish how a global phaseout of oil, gas, and coal could be implemented. They aim to advance a landmark 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 the way it could be achieved, and even though it was passed by all, several nations have later tried to back away from the promise. Attempts last year to expand on its practical meaning were blocked by opposition from oil-dependent nations at COP29.

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

For these reasons, Brazil has been cautious of calls by some nations to place the transition on the schedule for COP30. But Silva has worked hard in private to make sure the pledge could be discussed at the conference apart from the official program.

The minister convinced Brazil’s president, who gave mention three times to the need to “shift from reliance on fossil fuels” at the global leaders' meeting that came before the conference, and at the opening of the event.

“The issue is something that we understand at some point had to be put forward, because it is the sole way to face the issue from the source,” the minister explained. “We recognise that it is challenging, and we must not offer unrealistic expectations. Bringing up the subject is courageous, and I wish [to see] this bravery from everyone, 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 COP28. Instead, it was allowing the talks to take place in line with what certain nations desired. “We understand these subjects are sensitive. We will give the opportunity to talk about it,” she added.

There is not enough time at the summit to draw up a roadmap, a process the minister called could take several years because numerous nations faced complex challenges around reliance on carbon-based energy, or aimed to use the revenue from selling oil and gas to finance their economic growth.

“The country brings up the subject, because Brazil is simultaneously a producing nation and user,” the minister said. “But the nation is different, because it, if it wants to, need not rely on non-renewables. We have to understand that there are some that rely on fossil fuels in their economic systems and don’t have easy alternatives, and others where fossil fuels are the foundation of their economic structure.

“To be just is to be fair to everyone, but the essential, primordial fairness is to avoid being unjust to the planet, because it is our home.”

If the pledge gains enough backing, the summit could set up a platform in which the work of drawing up a strategy to the transition could begin.

The process would require dialogue with every signatory countries to the UN framework convention on climate change and criteria for how the initiative would unfold, the minister said. “After we have criteria, a management framework can be developed; after we have a strategy, and establish protections to be able to establish trust in the process, I am confident that with these components we can turn positive concepts into actions that are clearer, and more tangible.”

There is no guarantee that a suggestion to begin drawing up a roadmap would be accepted at the conference, even if it does not require the formal approval of the conference, which proceeds by consensus and can be disrupted by particular groups. COP experts have indicated they think there could be backing for such a idea from about 60 countries, but there are believed to be at least 40 against. A total of 195 countries represented at the talks.

“In spite of being the root cause of global warming, carbon-based energy are about the most contentious topic there is within the UN negotiations, so to see a sizable coalition of countries publicly backing a path to realizing global phaseout is in itself pretty groundbreaking.”

“In simple terms, there’s no route to a planet where temperature rise stays below 1.5C in which nations cannot to discuss ending fossil fuel use.”

“We need this wording for real in this discussion. It’s quite stupid that we discuss everything but that when the main issue are the real problem.”

Negotiations carried on on Saturday on four unresolved topics that have still not been included into the formal schedule: trade, transparency, funding and how to tackle the gap between the carbon reduction nations have planned and those needed to keep to the 1.5-degree temperature target.

A COP30 president pledged a “document” that would address these issues, after discussions – which have been going on since Monday – were inconclusive. The official urged countries to embrace the “mutirão” attitude, referring to one of cooperation and constructive dialogue.

Work on other key topics – including adjustment to the impacts of the climate emergency, the just transition for those affected by the transition to a green economy and how to strengthen governance capabilities in developing countries – carried on productively, the presidency said.

Brazil’s lead representative said the technical part of the COP process was approaching the end, and the political phase – when ministers who have the authority to change their nations' positions arrive – was starting.