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The environment minister, the minister, has called on all nations to show the bravery needed to address the necessity of a global fossil fuel phaseout, describing the development of a detailed plan as an “moral” answer to the global warming emergency.

The minister emphasized, though, that participation in this process would be optional and “independently decided” for willing nations.

This issue remains one of the most contentious matters at the UN climate summit in Brazil, with countries split over whether and how such a roadmap can be addressed. Hosting the event, Brazil has maintained a carefully neutral position on which items can be placed on the official schedule.

Silva voiced approval for the potential of a roadmap, though not directly pledging Brazil to it. She stated: “When we have a situation that is very challenging, it is helpful that we have a map. But the map does not compel us to proceed, or to advance.”

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

Scores of countries gathered in the host city for the UN climate summit, which is starting its second week, are seeking to establish how a worldwide transition of oil, gas, and coal could work. They aim to build on a historic agreement reached two years ago at COP28 to “transition away from fossil fuels.”

That commitment had no a timetable or details on the way it could be realized, and even though it was adopted by all, several nations have later tried to back away from the pledge. Efforts last year to elaborate on its practical implications were blocked by opposition from oil-dependent nations at COP29.

As a result, there was no reference of the shift away from fossil fuels in the final agreement of COP29.

For these reasons, the host has been cautious of demands by certain countries to include the phaseout on the agenda for the current summit. But Silva has worked hard behind the scenes to ensure the topic could be discussed at the summit outside the official agenda.

She won over the nation's president, who gave mention three times to the need to “move away from dependence on traditional energy” at the global leaders' meeting that came before the conference, and at the opening of the event.

“The issue is a matter that we understand at a certain time had to be raised, because it is the only way to face the issue from the root,” Marina Silva said. “We recognise that it is not easy, and we cannot offer unrealistic expectations. Raising the topic is brave, and I hope [to see] this bravery from all, from producers and using countries.”

The nation had not started the push for a phaseout, the minister clarified, because that had been done at COP28. Instead, it was allowing the discussions to take place in line with what certain countries desired. “We know these subjects are sensitive. We will provide the opportunity to discuss it,” she said.

There is not enough time at the summit to draw up a detailed plan, a task Silva called could take a number of years because numerous countries faced complicated issues around reliance on carbon-based energy, or wanted to use the revenue from selling oil and gas to finance their development.

“Brazil raises the subject, because it is both a producer and consumer,” the minister noted. “But Brazil is unique, because Brazil, if it wants to, need not rely on fossil fuels. We have to understand that there are certain nations that depend on fossil fuels in their economic systems and lack easy solutions, and some where fossil fuels are the basis of their economy.

“To be fair is to be just to everyone, but the fundamental, basic justice is to avoid being unfair to the Earth, because it is our shared home.”

If the proposal gains sufficient backing, the summit could set up a forum in which the work of drawing up a roadmap to the phaseout could begin.

This process would require discussions with every signatory countries to the UN climate treaty and criteria for how the initiative would unfold, Silva said. “After we have standards, a governance structure can be drawn up; after we have a plan, and create safeguards to be able to establish confidence in the process, I am confident that with these elements we can transform positive concepts into actions that are clearer, and more tangible.”

It is uncertain that a proposal to begin developing a plan would win approval at the conference, although it does not require the formal approval of the conference, which proceeds by consensus and can be hijacked by special interests. COP analysts have indicated they believe there could be support for such a proposal from about sixty nations, but there are believed to be at least forty opposed. There are one hundred ninety-five countries represented at the negotiations.

“Despite being the root cause of global warming, fossil fuels are about the most divisive topic there is within the UN negotiations, so to see a chunky group of nations openly supporting a path to realizing worldwide transition is in itself pretty groundbreaking.”

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

“We require this language for real in this conversation. It’s highly illogical that we discuss all topics but then when fossil fuels are the actual problem.”

Negotiations continued on the weekend on several outstanding issues that have still not been incorporated into the official schedule: commerce, openness, funding and how to address the shortfall between the emissions cuts countries have planned and those required to hold to the 1.5C warming limit.

The COP30 president promised a “note” that would cover these issues, after discussions – which have been underway since Monday – were inconclusive. He urged nations to embrace the “mutirão” spirit, meaning one of cooperation and positive dialogue.

Work on other key issues – such as adaptation to the impacts of the climate crisis, the just transition for those affected by the move to a low-carbon economic system and how to build institutional capacity in developing countries – carried on productively, the presidency reported.

Brazil’s lead representative stated the technical part of the summit process was approaching completion, and the high-level phase – when government leaders who have the power to alter their nations' positions arrive – was beginning.