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The environment minister, Marina Silva, has urged every country to demonstrate the courage needed to confront the imperative of a global fossil fuel phaseout, labeling the development of a detailed plan as an “ethical” response to the global warming emergency.

She emphasized, though, that involvement in this endeavor would be voluntary and “independently decided” for willing nations.

The topic stands as one of the most contentious subjects at the COP30 in Brazil, with nations split over whether and in what way such a strategy can be discussed. Hosting the event, Brazil has maintained a balanced stance on what can be placed on the formal agenda.

The official expressed support for the possibility of a plan, though not directly pledging Brazil to it. The minister remarked: “In times we have a situation that is very challenging, it is helpful that we have a map. But the guide does not compel us to proceed, or to climb.”

Speaking further, she added: “The map is an answer to our scientific understanding [of the climate emergency]. It is an ethical answer.”

Scores of countries meeting in Belém for the global climate conference, which is starting its next phase, are aiming to establish how a global phaseout of oil, gas, and coal could be implemented. These nations hope to build on a landmark agreement reached two years ago at COP28 to “transition away from fossil fuels.”

The commitment lacked a schedule or specifics on how it could be achieved, and even though it was passed by all, some nations have later attempted to back away from the pledge. Attempts last year to expand on its practical implications were stymied by resistance from petrostates at COP29.

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

For these reasons, Brazil has been cautious of demands by some countries to include the transition on the schedule for the current summit. But the minister has worked hard in private to make sure the pledge could be talked about at the summit apart from the formal agenda.

The minister won over the nation's president, and he made mention three times to the need to “move away from dependence on traditional energy” at the summit of world leaders that preceded COP30, and at the start of the event.

“This is a matter that we know at some point had to be raised, because it is the only way to face the problem from the source,” the minister said. “We recognise that it is challenging, and we cannot offer false hopes. Raising the subject is brave, and I hope [to see] this bravery from everyone, from producing nations and using countries.”

The nation had not started the push for a phaseout, the minister clarified, because that had been initiated at COP28. Instead, it was allowing the discussions to occur in line with what some countries wished. “We understand these topics are delicate. We will give the opportunity to discuss it,” she added.

There is not enough time at COP30 to create a detailed plan, a process the minister said could take several years because many nations confronted complex issues around dependence on fossil fuels, or wanted to use the revenue from selling oil and gas to fund their development.

“Brazil raises the subject, because it is both a producer and user,” the minister said. “But Brazil is unique, because Brazil, if it wants to, need not depend on fossil fuels. We have to understand that there are some that depend on fossil fuels in their economic systems and don’t have easy solutions, and some where oil and gas are the basis of their economic structure.

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

If the proposal receives enough support, COP30 could establish a platform in which the process of drawing up a roadmap to the phaseout could start.

This process would require discussions with all participating nations to the UN climate treaty and criteria for how the process would proceed, the minister said. “After we have standards, a management framework can be drawn up; once we have a plan, and establish safeguards to be able to build confidence in the process, I believe that with these components we can turn good ideas into actions that are more defined, and more tangible.”

It is uncertain that a proposal to start developing a plan would win approval at the conference, even if it may not need the official approval of the summit, which operates by unanimous agreement and can be disrupted by special interests. Climate analysts have indicated they believe there could be backing for such a idea from about sixty countries, but there are believed to be at least forty opposed. A total of one hundred ninety-five countries participating at the talks.

“In spite of being the primary source of climate change, fossil fuels are about the most divisive topic there is within the UN negotiations, so to see a chunky coalition of nations publicly supporting a route to achieving global transition is in itself highly significant.”

“Put simply, there’s no path to a planet where temperature rise stays below 1.5C in which nations cannot to talk about fossil fuel phaseout.”

“We need this language for actual in this conversation. It’s highly illogical that we discuss all topics but then when the main issue are the actual problem.”

Negotiations carried on on the weekend on several unresolved issues that have still not been incorporated into the formal schedule: commerce, transparency, funding and how to tackle the shortfall between the carbon reduction nations have planned and those required to hold to the 1.5C warming limit.

A COP30 chair pledged a “note” that would cover these matters, after consultations – which have been going on since Monday – were inconclusive. He urged nations to embrace the “mutirão” spirit, referring to one of cooperation and constructive dialogue.

Progress on additional substantive topics – including adaptation to the effects of the climate emergency, the just transition for those impacted by the move to a green economy and how to build governance capabilities in less developed nations – proceeded productively, the presidency reported.

The host nation's lead representative stated the technical part of the COP proceedings was approaching the end, and the high-level stage – when ministers who have the power to alter their countries’ stances arrive – was starting.