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Brazil’s climate chief, Marina Silva, has called on every country to demonstrate the courage needed to address the imperative of a global fossil fuel phaseout, describing the development of a roadmap as an “ethical” answer to the global warming emergency.

The minister stressed, however, that involvement in this endeavor would be optional and “independently decided” for willing governments.

The topic stands as one of the most contentious subjects at the COP30 in the host country, with nations split over whether and how such a strategy can be addressed. As the host, Brazil has adopted a carefully neutral stance on what can be placed on the formal agenda.

Silva voiced support for the potential of a plan, without directly pledging the country to it. The minister stated: “When we have a terrain that is quite grim, it is good that we have a guide. But the map does not compel us to travel, or to climb.”

Speaking further, she noted: “The roadmap is an answer to our scientific knowledge [of the climate crisis]. It is an moral answer.”

Scores of countries meeting in Belém for the global climate conference, which is starting its second week, are seeking to establish how a global phaseout of fossil fuels could work. These nations aim to advance a landmark agreement reached two years ago at a previous UN summit to “move away from fossil fuels.”

That pledge had no a timetable or details on how it could be achieved, and even though it was passed unanimously, several nations have later tried to disavow the promise. Attempts last year to expand on its practical implications were blocked by resistance from petrostates at another UN summit.

Consequently, 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 calls by some nations to place the transition on the agenda for COP30. But the minister has worked hard in private to ensure the topic could be discussed at the conference apart from the formal program.

She convinced the nation's leader, who made mention three times to the need to “move away from dependence on fossil fuels” at the global leaders' meeting that preceded COP30, and at the opening of the event.

“The issue is something that we understand at a certain time had to be raised, because it is the only way to address the problem from the source,” Marina Silva said. “We recognise that it is not easy, and we must not sell unrealistic expectations. Bringing up the topic is courageous, and I hope [to see] this bravery from all, from producing nations and consumers.”

The nation had not started the push for a phaseout, she clarified, because that had been initiated at the earlier summit. Rather, it was allowing the discussions to occur in line with what certain nations desired. “We know these topics are delicate. We will provide the opportunity to talk about it,” the minister added.

There is not enough time at COP30 to draw up a detailed plan, a process the minister called could take a number of years because numerous nations confronted complicated challenges around reliance on carbon-based energy, or aimed to use the proceeds from selling oil and gas to finance their economic growth.

“Brazil raises the subject, because Brazil is simultaneously a producing nation and consumer,” she said. “But the nation is different, because Brazil, if it wants to, need not depend on fossil fuels. We have to understand that there are certain nations that depend on fossil fuels in their economies and don’t have simple alternatives, and some where fossil fuels are the foundation of their economy.

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

If the pledge gains enough backing, the summit could set up a forum in which the process of creating a roadmap to the phaseout could begin.

The process would require discussions with all participating countries to the UN climate treaty and criteria for how the initiative would unfold, Silva said. “Once we have criteria, a governance structure can be drawn up; once we have a strategy, and establish safeguards to be able to build trust in the system, I believe that with these elements we can transform positive concepts into steps that are clearer, and more concrete.”

There is no guarantee that a suggestion to start drawing up a plan would be accepted at COP30, although it may not need the official consent of the summit, which proceeds by consensus and can be hijacked by particular groups. Climate analysts have suggested they believe there could be support for such a idea from about 60 nations, but there are believed to be at least 40 opposed. There are one hundred ninety-five nations participating at the negotiations.

“In spite of being the primary source of climate change, carbon-based energy are about the most divisive topic there is within the UN negotiations, so to see a chunky group of countries publicly backing a path to realizing worldwide phaseout is in itself highly significant.”

“In simple terms, there’s no route to a world where warming stays below 1.5 degrees in which countries aren’t able to discuss ending fossil fuel use.”

“We need this language for real in this discussion. It’s quite stupid that we discuss everything but then when fossil fuels are the actual problem.”

Negotiations carried on on Saturday on four outstanding topics that have still not been included into the formal agenda: commerce, openness, finance and how to tackle the shortfall between the carbon reduction nations have planned and those required to keep to the 1.5C temperature target.

The COP30 president promised a “document” that would address these matters, after discussions – which have been going on since Monday – were unresolved. He urged nations to adopt the “mutirão” spirit, meaning one of cooperation and constructive dialogue.

Progress on additional key topics – including adaptation to the effects of the climate emergency, the fair shift for those impacted by the move to a green economy and how to strengthen institutional capacity in developing countries – proceeded productively, the presidency reported.

Brazil’s chief negotiator stated the technical part of the COP proceedings was approaching the end, and the high-level stage – when ministers who have the authority to change their nations' positions arrive – was beginning.