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Brazil’s environment minister, the minister, has called on every country to demonstrate the bravery needed to confront the necessity of a worldwide fossil fuel phaseout, labeling the development of a detailed plan as an “ethical” response to the global warming emergency.

The minister emphasized, though, that participation in this process would be voluntary and “self-determined” for interested governments.

This issue stands as one of the most debated matters at the UN climate summit in Brazil, with countries divided over whether and in what way such a roadmap can be discussed. Hosting the event, the nation has adopted a balanced position on what can be placed on the formal schedule.

The official expressed approval for the possibility of a plan, without explicitly pledging Brazil to it. She stated: “When we have a terrain 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 noted: “The map is an response to our scientific understanding [of the climate emergency]. It is an moral response.”

Dozens of nations meeting in Belém for the UN climate summit, which is starting its second week, are aiming to determine how a worldwide phaseout of oil, gas, and coal could work. These nations aim to advance a landmark agreement made two years ago at COP28 to “transition away from non-renewable energy sources.”

That pledge lacked a schedule or specifics on how it could be realized, and even though it was passed by all, some countries have later attempted to back away from the pledge. Efforts last year to expand on its practical meaning were stymied by opposition from oil-dependent nations at COP29.

Consequently, there was no mention of the shift away from carbon fuels in the outcome of that conference.

Because of this, Brazil has been wary of calls by some 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 apart from the formal agenda.

She won over Brazil’s leader, who gave mention three times to the need to “shift from dependence on fossil fuels” at the global leaders' meeting that preceded the conference, and at the opening of the summit.

“This is something that we understand at a certain time had to be put forward, because it is the sole way to address the problem from the root,” Marina Silva said. “We recognise that it is challenging, and we must not offer unrealistic expectations. Bringing up the subject is brave, and I wish [to see] this bravery from everyone, from producing nations and using countries.”

The nation had not initiated the call for a transition, the minister clarified, because that had been initiated at the earlier summit. Rather, it was allowing the discussions to occur in accordance with what certain nations wished. “We know these topics are delicate. We will give the chance to discuss it,” she added.

Time is insufficient at the summit to create a detailed plan, a process Silva said could take a number of years because numerous nations confronted complicated challenges around reliance on fossil fuels, or wanted to use the proceeds from exporting fossil fuels to finance their development.

“The country raises the subject, because it is simultaneously a producer and consumer,” she said. “But Brazil is unique, because Brazil, if it wants to, does not have to depend on fossil fuels. We have to understand that there are some that depend on fossil fuels in their economic systems and lack easy alternatives, and some where fossil fuels are the foundation of their economy.

“To be just is to be just to all, but the essential, basic fairness is to avoid being unfair to the planet, because it is our home.”

Should the pledge gains sufficient backing, the summit could establish a platform in which the work of creating a roadmap to the transition could begin.

The endeavor would involve dialogue with all participating countries to the UN climate treaty and criteria for how the process would unfold, the minister said. “Once we have standards, a governance structure can be developed; once we have a strategy, and create protections to be able to establish trust in the system, I am confident that with these components we can transform good ideas into steps 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 official approval of the summit, which proceeds by unanimous agreement and can be hijacked by special interests. COP analysts have suggested they believe there could be backing for such a idea from about 60 countries, but there are thought to be at least forty opposed. There are 195 countries represented at the negotiations.

“In spite of 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 group of nations publicly supporting a route to realizing global transition is in itself pretty groundbreaking.”

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

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

Negotiations continued on the weekend on four outstanding topics that have still not been included into the official agenda: commerce, transparency, finance and how to address the gap between the carbon reduction countries have proposed and those needed to keep to the 1.5-degree temperature limit.

A COP30 president pledged a “note” that would cover these issues, after discussions – which have been underway since the start of the week – were unresolved. The official called on countries to embrace the “mutirão” attitude, referring to one of cooperation and positive dialogue.

Work on other substantive issues – including adjustment to the impacts of the climate crisis, the just transition for those affected by the move to a low-carbon economy and how to strengthen institutional capacity in developing countries – carried on productively, the host said.

Brazil’s lead representative said the detailed phase of the summit process was nearing completion, and the high-level phase – when ministers who have the power to alter their countries’ positions join – was beginning.