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Brazil’s environment minister, Marina Silva, has called on every country to show the bravery needed to confront the necessity of a worldwide fossil fuel phaseout, describing the creation of a detailed plan as an “ethical” answer to the global warming emergency.

She stressed, however, that involvement in this process would be optional and “self-determined” for interested governments.

The topic remains one of the most debated subjects at the UN climate summit in Brazil, with nations divided over whether and in what way such a strategy can be addressed. Hosting the event, Brazil has adopted a balanced position on what can be placed on the formal schedule.

The official voiced support for the potential of a plan, without directly committing the country to it. The minister stated: “When we have a situation that is very challenging, it is helpful that we have a map. But the guide does not compel us to travel, or to advance.”

Speaking further, the minister added: “The roadmap is an answer to our scientific understanding [of the climate emergency]. It is an moral answer.”

Scores of countries meeting in the host city for the UN climate summit, which is starting its second week, are aiming to establish how a global transition of oil, gas, and coal could be implemented. They hope to advance a historic resolution reached two years ago at COP28 to “transition away from non-renewable energy sources.”

That pledge lacked a schedule or details on how it could be achieved, and although it was passed by all, some nations have later tried to disavow the promise. Attempts last year to expand on its practical meaning were stymied by resistance from petrostates at COP29.

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

Because of this, Brazil has been wary of demands by some nations to place the phaseout on the schedule for COP30. But Silva has strived in private to make sure the topic could be talked about at the conference apart from the official agenda.

She convinced Brazil’s leader, and he gave public reference three times to the need to “move away from dependence on fossil fuels” at the summit of world leaders that came before COP30, and at the start of the summit.

“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 source,” the minister explained. “We recognise that it is challenging, and we must not sell unrealistic expectations. Bringing up the topic is brave, and I wish [to see] this courage from everyone, from producing nations and using countries.”

The nation had not initiated the push for a phaseout, she said, because that had been done at the earlier summit. Instead, it was allowing the discussions to occur in accordance with what certain countries desired. “We know these subjects are sensitive. We will give the chance to discuss it,” she said.

There is not enough time at the summit to draw up a roadmap, a task Silva called could take several years because many countries confronted complicated issues around reliance on carbon-based energy, or wanted to use the revenue from selling fossil fuels to fund their development.

“Brazil raises the subject, because it is both a producing nation and user,” the minister noted. “But Brazil is unique, because it, if it chooses to, does not have to depend on fossil fuels. We have to recognise that there are some that rely 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 fair to all, but the fundamental, primordial justice is not being unfair to the planet, because it is our shared home.”

If the pledge receives enough support, COP30 could establish a forum in which the process of creating a strategy to the phaseout could begin.

This process would require dialogue with every signatory nations to the UN climate treaty and criteria for how the process would unfold, the minister said. “Once we have criteria, a governance structure can be developed; once we have a strategy, and establish safeguards to be able to build trust in the system, I am confident that with these elements we can turn positive concepts into actions that are clearer, and more concrete.”

There is no guarantee that a suggestion to start drawing up a roadmap would win approval at COP30, even if it does not require the formal approval of the summit, which proceeds by unanimous agreement and can be hijacked by special interests. Climate experts have suggested they believe there could be backing for such a proposal from about 60 countries, but there are thought to be at least 40 opposed. There are 195 nations represented at the talks.

“Despite being the root cause of global warming, carbon-based energy are about the most contentious subject there is within the UN negotiations, so to see a chunky group of countries openly backing a path to realizing global phaseout is in itself highly significant.”

“In simple terms, there’s no route to a planet 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 discussion. It’s highly illogical that we discuss all topics but then when fossil fuels are the actual problem.”

Discussions carried on on Saturday on several outstanding topics that have still not been incorporated into the formal agenda: trade, transparency, finance and how to tackle the gap between the emissions cuts countries have planned and those required to hold to the 1.5-degree warming limit.

The summit president promised a “document” that would address these issues, after consultations – which have been underway since the start of the week – were inconclusive. He called on countries to adopt the “mutirão” attitude, meaning one of cooperation and positive dialogue.

Progress on other substantive issues – such as adjustment to the impacts of the climate crisis, the just transition for those impacted by the transition to a green economic system and how to strengthen institutional capacity in less developed nations – proceeded productively, the presidency said.

Brazil’s lead representative said the technical phase of the COP process was nearing the end, and the high-level phase – when ministers who have the power to alter their countries’ stances arrive – was beginning.