Sixty nations convene in Colombia to advance fossil fuel phase-out efforts

The Santa Marta summit now includes around 60 countries committed to phasing out coal, oil, and gas, demonstrating increased momentum beyond traditional climate talks. Notably absent are major fossil fuel producers like the US, China, and India, which could impact global coalitions. The gathering aims to forge concrete policies and coalitions that accelerate the end of fossil fuel dependence, signaling a shift toward more direct action on climate change.

Nearly 60 countries convened in Santa Marta, Colombia, from April 24 to 29 for the first global Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels, co-hosted by Colombia and the Netherlands. The summit aims to create new coalitions and strategies to phase out coal, oil, and gas, accelerating the transition to low-carbon energy outside the framework of stalled United Nations climate negotiations, according to The Guardian and Climate Home News.

Participants include governments from Australia, Turkey, Canada, Norway, Brazil, and Nigeria, while major fossil fuel producers such as the US, China, India, and Russia are absent, Climate Home News reports. The conference seeks to complement ongoing global discussions like COP28 and COP30 by focusing explicitly on production and supply issues rather than consumption.

Colombia’s Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, Irene Vélez Torres, along with Mark Watts from C40 Cities, emphasized urban centers’ critical role in this transition. They highlighted the need for structural economic transformation and collective action at municipal and institutional levels to ensure a just and sustainable shift away from fossil fuels, as detailed by Climate Home News and The Guardian.

Delegates also plan to address the economic dependencies that keep countries tied to fossil fuel industries while exploring international cooperation to facilitate cleaner alternatives. The European Union and representatives from over 50 countries are participating to build momentum for binding commitments and policy innovation, according to The Conversation CA and The Independent.

Moving forward, the outcomes from the Santa Marta conference could shape new international agreements and accelerate decarbonization policies, especially if these coalitions strengthen despite the absence of some major emitters. Observers will be watching for concrete policy proposals and partnerships that can influence global energy markets and future UN climate summits.