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Brazil’s environment minister, the minister, has called on every country to show the courage needed to confront the necessity of a global fossil fuel phaseout, describing the creation of a detailed plan as an “ethical” answer to the climate crisis.

She stressed, though, that involvement in this process would be voluntary and “independently decided” for willing governments.

This issue remains one of the most debated matters at the COP30 in Brazil, with countries divided over whether and how such a strategy can be discussed. Hosting the event, Brazil has adopted a carefully neutral stance on what can be included on the official agenda.

Silva voiced support for the possibility of a plan, without explicitly pledging Brazil to it. She remarked: “In times we have a terrain that is quite grim, it is good that we have a map. But the map does not force us to proceed, or to advance.”

In an interview, the minister noted: “The roadmap is an response to our scientific understanding [of the climate emergency]. It is an moral response.”

Dozens of nations gathered in the host city for the UN climate summit, which is starting its second week, are aiming to determine how a global phaseout of oil, gas, and coal could be implemented. These nations aim to build on a historic resolution reached two years ago at COP28 to “move away from fossil fuels.”

The pledge had no a schedule or specifics on the way it could be realized, and even though it was passed by all, several countries have later tried to disavow the promise. Attempts last year to expand on its practical meaning were stymied by opposition from oil-dependent nations at another UN summit.

Consequently, there was no mention of the shift away from carbon fuels in the final agreement of COP29.

For these reasons, the host has been cautious of calls by certain nations to place the phaseout on the agenda for COP30. But Silva has worked hard behind the scenes to make sure the pledge could be talked about at the conference outside the formal agenda.

She convinced Brazil’s leader, and he gave public reference repeatedly to the need to “shift from dependence on fossil fuels” at the summit of world leaders that came before the conference, and at the opening of the event.

“The issue is something that we know at some point had to be raised, because it is the only way to face the issue from the source,” Marina Silva said. “We acknowledge that it is challenging, and we must not sell false hopes. Raising the topic is courageous, and I wish [to see] this bravery from all, from producing nations and consumers.”

The nation had not started the push for a phaseout, the minister clarified, because that had been initiated at the earlier summit. Rather, it was enabling the discussions to occur in line with what certain countries wished. “We understand these topics are sensitive. We will give the chance to discuss it,” the minister added.

There is not enough time at the summit to draw up a detailed plan, a process Silva said could take a number of years because numerous nations confronted complex issues around reliance on carbon-based energy, or wanted to use the proceeds from selling oil and gas to fund their development.

“The country brings up the subject, because Brazil is simultaneously a producing nation and user,” the minister noted. “But the nation is different, because Brazil, if it chooses to, need not depend on non-renewables. We have to recognise 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 economic structure.

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

If the pledge gains sufficient backing, the summit could establish a platform in which the work of drawing up a strategy to the phaseout could start.

The process would involve dialogue with all signatory nations to the UN framework convention on climate change and criteria for how the initiative would proceed, Silva explained. “After we have standards, a governance structure can be developed; after we have a strategy, and create safeguards to be able to establish confidence in the process, I believe that with these components we can transform positive concepts into steps that are more defined, and more tangible.”

It is uncertain that a proposal to start drawing up a roadmap would be accepted at COP30, although it does not require the official approval of the summit, which proceeds by unanimous agreement and can be hijacked by particular groups. COP experts have indicated they believe there could be backing for such a idea from about sixty nations, but there are thought to be at least forty opposed. A total of one hundred ninety-five nations participating at the negotiations.

“In spite of being the primary source of global warming, fossil fuels are about the most contentious topic there is within the international climate talks, so to see a chunky group of countries openly supporting a route to realizing global phaseout is in itself pretty groundbreaking.”

“In simple terms, there’s no route to a world where warming remains below 1.5 degrees in which nations cannot to talk about fossil fuel phaseout.”

“We require this language for real in this conversation. It’s highly illogical that we discuss everything but then when the main issue are the actual challenge.”

Negotiations continued on Saturday on four outstanding issues that have not yet been incorporated into the official agenda: commerce, openness, funding and how to address the gap between the emissions cuts nations have planned and those required to hold to the 1.5C warming limit.

A summit president pledged a “document” that would address these issues, after discussions – which have been underway since the start of the week – were inconclusive. The official urged countries to adopt the “mutirão” spirit, referring to one of cooperation and positive dialogue.

Work on additional substantive issues – such as adjustment to the impacts of the climate crisis, the just transition for those affected by the transition to a low-carbon economic system and how to build governance capabilities in less developed nations – proceeded productively, the presidency reported.

Brazil’s lead representative said the detailed phase of the COP process was nearing completion, and the political stage – when ministers who have the power to alter their nations' positions arrive – was starting.