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The climate chief, Marina Silva, has urged all nations to show the courage needed to confront the necessity of a global transition away from fossil fuels, labeling the creation of a detailed plan as an “ethical” answer to the climate crisis.

She stressed, though, that participation in this process would be optional and “self-determined” for willing nations.

This issue remains one of the most contentious matters at the UN climate summit in the host country, with nations split over if and in what way such a strategy can be discussed. As the host, the nation has adopted a balanced stance on which items can be placed on the formal agenda.

Silva voiced approval for the potential of a roadmap, though not directly pledging the country to it. The minister remarked: “When we have a situation that is very challenging, it is good that we have a map. But the map does not compel us to proceed, or to climb.”

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

Scores of countries gathered in the host city for the UN climate summit, which is starting its second week, are seeking to establish how a global phaseout of fossil fuels could work. They hope to build on a historic resolution made two years ago at a previous UN summit to “move away from fossil fuels.”

That pledge lacked a timetable or details on the way it could be realized, and although it was passed by all, some countries have later tried to disavow the promise. Attempts last year to elaborate on its practical meaning were blocked by opposition from oil-dependent nations at COP29.

As a result, there was no reference of the shift away from carbon fuels in the outcome of that conference.

For these reasons, the host has been cautious of demands by some nations to place the transition on the agenda for COP30. But the minister has strived in private to ensure the topic could be talked about at the summit apart from the official agenda.

She convinced Brazil’s leader, who made mention repeatedly to the need to “shift from dependence on traditional energy” at the summit of world leaders that came before COP30, and at the start of the summit.

“This is a matter that we know at some point had to be put forward, because it is the sole way to face the problem from the source,” the minister explained. “We acknowledge that it is not easy, and we must not sell unrealistic expectations. Raising the topic is brave, and I wish [to see] this bravery from all, from producing nations and using countries.”

Brazil had not initiated the call for a phaseout, the minister clarified, because that had been initiated at the earlier summit. Instead, it was allowing the talks to occur in accordance with what certain nations wished. “We understand these subjects are sensitive. We will give the chance to talk about it,” the minister added.

Time is insufficient at COP30 to draw up a roadmap, a process Silva called could take a number of years because many countries faced complicated issues around reliance on carbon-based energy, or aimed to use the revenue from selling oil and gas to fund their development.

“Brazil brings up the topic, because it is both a producing nation and consumer,” she noted. “But Brazil is unique, because Brazil, if it wants to, does not have to rely on fossil fuels. We have to understand that there are certain nations that depend on carbon energy in their economies and don’t have simple solutions, and some where fossil fuels are the basis of their economic structure.

“To be just is to be fair to everyone, but the fundamental, basic fairness is to avoid being unfair to the Earth, because it is our home.”

Should the proposal receives sufficient backing, the summit could establish a forum in which the process of drawing up a roadmap to the transition could begin.

This process would involve discussions with all signatory countries to the UN framework convention on climate change and guidelines for how the initiative would proceed, the minister explained. “After we have criteria, a management framework can be drawn up; once we have a strategy, and establish safeguards to be able to build trust in the system, I believe that with these elements we can transform good ideas into actions that are clearer, and more concrete.”

It is uncertain that a suggestion to begin developing a plan would win approval at the conference, even if it may not need the formal approval of the conference, 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 60 countries, but there are thought to be at least 40 against. A total of 195 nations participating at the negotiations.

“In spite of being the root cause of global warming, carbon-based energy are about the most divisive topic there is within the international climate talks, so to see a sizable coalition of nations openly supporting a path to achieving worldwide phaseout is in itself highly significant.”

“In simple terms, there’s no path to a world where warming stays below 1.5 degrees in which countries cannot to discuss ending fossil fuel use.”

“We require this wording for real in this discussion. It’s quite stupid that we talk about everything but that when the main issue are the real problem.”

Discussions continued on the weekend on several outstanding issues that have not yet been incorporated into the official agenda: commerce, transparency, funding and how to tackle the shortfall between the carbon reduction countries have proposed and those needed to keep to the 1.5C temperature target.

A COP30 chair promised a “document” that would cover these matters, after discussions – which have been underway since Monday – were unresolved. The official called on nations to adopt the “mutirão” attitude, meaning one of cooperation and positive dialogue.

Work on other key topics – including adjustment to the effects of the climate crisis, the fair shift for those affected by the move to a low-carbon economy and how to strengthen institutional capacity in developing countries – proceeded constructively, the presidency said.

Brazil’s lead representative stated the detailed part of the COP proceedings was approaching the end, and the high-level stage – when government leaders who have the authority to alter their countries’ stances arrive – was beginning.