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Brazil’s environment minister, the minister, has called on all nations to show the bravery needed to address the imperative of a worldwide transition away from fossil fuels, describing the development of a roadmap as an “ethical” answer to the climate crisis.

The minister emphasized, however, that participation in this process would be optional and “self-determined” for willing governments.

The topic remains one of the most debated matters at the UN climate summit in Brazil, with countries split over whether and in what way such a roadmap can be discussed. As the host, Brazil has maintained a balanced stance on what can be placed on the formal schedule.

The official expressed approval for the possibility of a roadmap, though not directly pledging Brazil to it. She stated: “In times we have a terrain that is very challenging, it is good that we have a map. But the guide does not compel us to travel, or to advance.”

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

Scores of countries meeting in Belém for the UN climate summit, which is starting its second week, are aiming to establish how a worldwide phaseout of oil, gas, and coal could work. They aim to build on a historic resolution made two years ago at a previous UN summit to “move away from non-renewable energy sources.”

That pledge had no a schedule or specifics on how it could be achieved, and even though it was adopted by all, several countries have later attempted to disavow the promise. Attempts last year to elaborate on its real-world implications were blocked by resistance from petrostates at COP29.

As a result, 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 nations to place the phaseout on the schedule for COP30. But Silva has strived in private to make sure the pledge could be discussed at the summit apart from the official agenda.

The minister convinced Brazil’s president, and he made mention three times to the need to “shift from reliance on fossil fuels” at the global leaders' meeting that came before COP30, and at the opening of the event.

“This is something that we know at a certain time had to be put forward, because it is the sole way to face the issue from the root,” the minister said. “We recognise that it is challenging, and we must not sell false hopes. Bringing up the topic is courageous, and I hope [to see] this courage from everyone, from producing nations and consumers.”

The nation had not started the call for a phaseout, she clarified, because that had been done at the earlier summit. Instead, it was allowing the talks to take place in line with what certain countries wished. “We know these topics are delicate. We will provide the opportunity to discuss it,” the minister added.

There is not enough time at the summit to create a roadmap, a task the minister said could take several years because numerous nations faced complex issues around dependence on fossil fuels, or aimed to use the proceeds from exporting oil and gas to finance their development.

“Brazil raises the topic, because Brazil is both a producing nation and consumer,” the minister noted. “But the nation is different, because it, if it wants to, need not depend on fossil fuels. We have to recognise that there are certain nations that depend on fossil fuels in their economies and don’t have simple alternatives, and some where oil and gas are the basis of their economy.

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

If the proposal gains enough support, COP30 could set up a forum in which the work of creating a strategy to the phaseout could begin.

This process would require dialogue with all signatory countries to the UN framework convention on climate change and guidelines for how the initiative would unfold, the minister explained. “Once we have criteria, a management framework can be developed; after we have a plan, and establish safeguards to be able to establish trust in the system, I am confident that with these elements we can turn good ideas into actions that are clearer, and more tangible.”

It is uncertain that a suggestion to begin drawing up a plan would win approval at COP30, although it may not need the official consent of the conference, which proceeds by consensus and can be disrupted by particular groups. Climate analysts have suggested they believe there could be support for such a idea from about 60 countries, but there are thought to be at least forty opposed. There are 195 nations represented at the negotiations.

“Despite being the primary source of global warming, carbon-based energy are about the most contentious topic there is within the UN negotiations, so to see a chunky coalition of nations publicly supporting a path to achieving global phaseout is in itself pretty groundbreaking.”

“In simple terms, there’s no path to a world where temperature rise remains below 1.5C in which nations aren’t able to discuss fossil fuel phaseout.”

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

Discussions continued on the weekend on four unresolved topics that have not yet been included into the official agenda: trade, openness, finance and how to tackle the shortfall between the carbon reduction nations have proposed and those needed to hold to the 1.5-degree temperature limit.

A COP30 chair pledged a “document” that would cover these matters, after discussions – which have been underway since Monday – were inconclusive. The official urged countries to adopt the “mutirão” spirit, referring to one of collaboration and positive dialogue.

Progress on other key topics – such as adjustment to the effects of the climate crisis, the fair shift for those affected by the transition to a low-carbon economy and how to build governance capabilities in less developed nations – carried on constructively, the host reported.

The host nation's chief negotiator stated the technical phase of the COP proceedings was approaching the end, and the high-level stage – when ministers who have the power to alter their nations' stances join – was starting.