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The environment minister, Marina Silva, has called on every country to demonstrate the bravery needed to address the imperative of a worldwide transition away from fossil fuels, labeling the development of a roadmap as an “ethical” response to the climate crisis.

She emphasized, however, that involvement in this endeavor would be voluntary and “self-determined” for interested nations.

This issue stands as one of the most contentious matters at the UN climate summit in Brazil, with nations split over if and in what way such a strategy can be discussed. As the host, Brazil has maintained a balanced stance on which items can be included on the official schedule.

The official voiced approval for the potential of a plan, though not directly committing Brazil to it. The minister stated: “When we have a situation that is very challenging, it is good that we have a guide. But the map does not force us to proceed, or to climb.”

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

Scores of nations gathered in Belém for the UN climate summit, which is entering its next phase, are seeking to establish how a worldwide phaseout of oil, gas, and coal could be implemented. They aim to advance a historic resolution reached two years ago at a previous UN summit to “transition away from non-renewable energy sources.”

The pledge lacked a timetable or specifics on how it could be achieved, and even though it was adopted by all, several nations have since tried to disavow the promise. Attempts last year to elaborate on its practical implications were blocked by opposition from petrostates at COP29.

Consequently, there was no mention of the transition away from carbon fuels in the final agreement of that conference.

Because of this, Brazil has been cautious of calls by certain countries to include the phaseout on the schedule for the current summit. But the minister has worked hard behind the scenes to make sure the pledge could be discussed at the summit outside the official program.

She convinced Brazil’s leader, 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 summit.

“The issue is a matter that we know at a certain time had to be put forward, because it is the only way to face the problem from the source,” Marina Silva explained. “We recognise that it is challenging, and we cannot sell unrealistic expectations. Bringing up the topic is courageous, and I hope [to see] this bravery from all, from producers and using countries.”

Brazil had not initiated the push for a transition, the minister clarified, because that had been done at the earlier summit. Instead, it was enabling the talks to take place in accordance with what certain nations wished. “We understand these topics are sensitive. We will provide the chance to talk about it,” she added.

There is not enough time at the summit to draw up a detailed plan, a process Silva said could take several years because many nations faced complicated challenges around dependence on carbon-based energy, or aimed to use the proceeds from selling fossil fuels to fund their economic growth.

“Brazil raises the topic, because Brazil is simultaneously a producer and consumer,” she said. “But the nation is unique, because Brazil, if it wants to, does not have to rely on non-renewables. We have to recognise that there are certain nations that rely on fossil fuels in their economies and don’t have simple alternatives, and some where fossil fuels are the foundation of their economic structure.

“To be fair is to be fair to everyone, but the fundamental, primordial fairness is to avoid being unfair to the planet, because it is our shared home.”

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

This endeavor would require discussions with all participating countries to the UN climate treaty and criteria for how the initiative would proceed, the minister said. “Once we have criteria, a management framework can be drawn up; once we have a plan, and establish protections to be able to establish confidence in the system, I am confident that with these elements we can transform good ideas into steps that are clearer, and more tangible.”

It is uncertain that a suggestion to begin drawing up a roadmap would win approval at COP30, although it does not require the formal approval of the conference, which operates by unanimous agreement and can be disrupted by particular groups. Climate experts have suggested they think there could be backing for such a proposal from about 60 countries, but there are thought to be at least forty against. There are 195 countries represented at the talks.

“Despite being the primary source of global warming, fossil fuels are about the most contentious topic there is within the UN negotiations, so to see a sizable coalition of countries publicly supporting a path to realizing worldwide phaseout is in itself highly significant.”

“Put simply, there’s no route to a world where warming remains below 1.5C in which nations aren’t able to discuss fossil fuel phaseout.”

“We require this wording for real in this discussion. It’s quite stupid that we talk about everything but then when fossil fuels are the actual challenge.”

Discussions carried on on the weekend on several unresolved topics that have still not been included into the official schedule: commerce, openness, finance and how to address the gap between the carbon reduction nations have planned and those needed to keep to the 1.5C warming limit.

The summit chair pledged a “document” that would cover these matters, after consultations – which have been underway since the start of the week – were unresolved. He urged countries to embrace the “mutirão” attitude, meaning one of collaboration and positive discussion.

Work on other substantive topics – such as adaptation to the effects of the climate crisis, the fair shift for those affected by the move to a green economy and how to strengthen governance capabilities in less developed nations – proceeded constructively, the presidency said.

The host nation's chief negotiator said the detailed phase of the summit proceedings was nearing the end, and the high-level phase – when government leaders who have the authority to change their countries’ stances join – was beginning.