International Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels

An International Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels is one of a series of international conferences for planning a phase-out of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, and coal) in an effort to reduce climate change, and to avoid the high prices, insecurity, volatility, conflict and instability associated with fossil fuels. These fossil fuel-related conferences complement the annual United Nations COP conferences that focus on climate change.

Background

The conferences were born of frustration with the yearly United Nations climate conferences (COP, Conference of the Parties) that began in 1995.[1][2] At COP conferences, all countries must agree on the language of any agreement, so fossil fuel producing countries can oppose given language in the text[1] and energy-rich nations can derail efforts to slow fossil fuel use.[2][3][4] COP conferences traditionally focus on cutting greenhouse gas emissions, rather than directly addressing fossil fuel production.[5] Greenhouse gas emissions from military operations, such as those in Ukraine (2022–) and Iran (2026), are not accurately accounted for under the 2015 Paris Agreement that was negotiated at COP 21.[3] At COP28 (2023), countries agreed to transition away from fossil fuels, but did not agree on how.[1] At COP 30 (2025), 80 countries supported phasing out fossil fuels but the conference ended without a plan.[1]

The conference's organizer, Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative, describes itself as "alliance of nation-states and civil society working to secure a global just transition from coal, oil and gas".[6] The conferences' focus on fossil fuels complements, but does not replace, the work of COP climate change conferences.[1]

First conference (Santa Marta, 2026)

The First International Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels—also called The Santa Marta Conference—was held from 24–29 April 2026[7] in Santa Marta, Colombia.[1] The conference was co-hosted by Colombia and the Netherlands,[1] with 57 countries participating.[8] Participating countries generate about one-third of global economic activity,[3] with almost all participating nations being democracies.[9] Representatives from indigenous groups, civil society, youth, and subnational authorities such as California also participated.[5] The United States (the largest oil and gas producer and largest consumer of oil) and China (the largest consumer of coal) did not participate.[1] Colombian environment minister Irene Vélez Torres said that, to avoid rehashing COP 30 debates, countries including China, Russia and the US were not invited.[8]

A "science pre-conference" attended by 400 global academics from 24–25 April conceived a scientific panel designed to quickly provide country-specific analyses to nations wanting to accelerate their transition.[8] The scientific panel was seen as necessary to combat the climate and energy disinformation populating the media.[3] The next day involved a meeting for subnational governments, parliamentarians and other stakeholders.[8] Finally, a high-level segment for ministers and climate envoys was held on 28–29 April.[8] The conference's format was less formal than that of COP conferences.[8]

'Suicidal' model of capitalism

     There is inertia in the power and the economy of this archaic form of energy—fossil fuels—that lead to death. Undoubtedly, that form of capital can commit suicide, taking with it humanity and [other] life. The question that needs to be asked is whether capitalism can truly adapt to a non-fossil energy model.

— Gustavo Petro, President of Colombia, in late April 2026
First International Conference on
Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels[10]

Financing was seen as the main barrier to progress, with less wealthy countries having been forced into fossil fuel projects to feed their debt.[5] Some developing nations' borrowing costs for renewable energy projects can be several times higher than in wealthier economies, making it cheaper in the short term to continue investing in oil and gas—the "debt-fossil fuel trap".[2] Various participants recognized goals, not only to mitigate climate change, but also to avoid the high prices, insecurity, volatility,[3] conflict and instability[8] associated with fossil fuels. Participants sought to plan efforts for reducing fossil fuel production, for decarbonizing trade, and for formally launching the new scientific panel on the energy transition.[1] More specific plans included moving subsidies for fossil fuels to renewable energy and batteries, and finding employment for those presently working in the fossil fuel sector.[1] Though 18 nations supported the concept of a legally binding agreement to control fossil fuel use, the conference concluded without such an agreement.[8]

Looking forward, a first planned "workstream" was to develop national and regional "roadmaps" that are connected to countries' UN climate plans (nationally determined contributions, NDCs).[8] The second workstream was to change the financial system—targeting fossil fuel subsidies and avoiding debt traps and economic dependencies.[8] The final workstream involved advancing toward a fossil fuel-free trade system.[8]

Second conference (Tuvalu, 2027)

At the 2026 conference, Tuvalu and Ireland announced they would co-host the next conference on the Polynesian island of Tuvalu, which is facing rising sea levels.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Simon, Julia (29 April 2026). "In the midst of an energy crisis, countries make plans to ditch oil, gas and coal". NPR. Archived from the original on 29 April 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 Wright, Ruth (29 April 2026). "'A new power': Trump not invited to climate conference attended by 60 countries". Euronews. Archived from the original on 29 April 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Berwyn, Bob (1 May 2026). "As Energy, War and Climate Collide, a Conference in Colombia Charts a Path Beyond Fossil Fuels". Inside Climate News. Archived from the original on 1 May 2026.
  4. ↑ Schonhardt, Sara (1 May 2026). "Hard choices test breakaway climate summit". Politico.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. 1 2 3 Grattan, Steven (30 April 2026). "Countries end Colombia fossil fuel summit with focus on next steps and financing". AP News. Archived from the original on 2 May 2026.
  6. ↑ "What is the Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative?". Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative. Retrieved 2 May 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. ↑ "The Road to Santa Marta: Securing a Global Framework to End the Fossil Fuel Era". Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative. Archived from the original on 1 May 2026.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Dunne, Daisy (30 April 2026). "Santa Marta: Key outcomes from first summit on 'transitioning away' from fossil fuels". Carbon Brief. Archived from the original on 30 April 2026.
  9. ↑ Harvey, Fiona; Watts, Jonathan (1 May 2026). "Could Santa Marta climate talks mark ground zero in push to ditch fossil fuels?". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 2 May 2026.
  10. ↑ Watts, Jonathan; Harvey, Fiona (29 April 2026). "'Suicidal' model of capitalism leading to war and fascism, climate summit told". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 29 April 2026.
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