Global Coalition Meets in Santa Marta to Push Fossil Fuel Transition Outside UN
Introduction
Representatives from about 50 to 60 countries are meeting in Santa Marta, Colombia, from April 24 to 29 for a conference focused on speeding up the global move away from fossil fuels. Co-hosted by Colombia and the Netherlands, the meeting aims to create proposals and build groups of willing countries, without making binding promises. The event shows growing frustration with the slow pace of UN climate talks, which have been slowed down by the need for all countries to agree, allowing major fossil fuel producers to block direct discussion of reducing production.
Main Body
The conference, officially called the Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels summit, brings together ministers, regional governments, academics, and civil society groups. Organizers, including Colombian Environment Minister Irene Vélez Torres, described it as a political space for a debate that has long been avoided in formal international climate talks. Unlike the annual UN COP meetings, this event does not require complete agreement, so participants can directly discuss fossil fuel production—a topic that only entered COP outcomes in 2023 with a non-binding promise to move away from fossil fuels, but without a timeline or plan. Attendees include countries that represent about one-fifth of global fossil fuel supply and one-third of global demand, according to organizers. Notable participants include Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Norway, Germany, France, and several developing nations such as Brazil, Mexico, Nigeria, and Angola. However, major emitters and producers—the United States, China, India, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Iran—are absent. Vélez stated that the conference is for countries committed to advancing the transition, not for those seeking to block or deny climate science. The summit takes place during increased geopolitical tensions, especially the war in Iran and disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz, a critical point for about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas. These events have driven oil prices up, affecting energy markets and household costs. Mary Robinson, former president of Ireland and a climate justice advocate attending the conference, noted that price increases hurt vulnerable populations the most while oil companies report higher profits. Some analysts warned that supply shocks could encourage short-term increases in fossil fuel production, creating a conflict between energy security and climate goals. On the other hand, Vélez argued that such instability should speed up, not delay, the green transition. A central topic of the discussions is the economic dependence of many countries on fossil fuel revenues. Colombia itself relies heavily on crude exports for government income, even as President Gustavo Petro’s administration has promised to stop new oil exploration. Vélez acknowledged that fiscal dependence is a major challenge. Financial limits are also expected to be a key issue, as many developing nations face high public debt and limited ability to invest in renewable energy. Civil society groups, including the Latin American and Caribbean Network for Economic, Social and Climate Justice, have called for reforms to the global financial system to help the transition. Proposals for “fossil-free zones”—areas where extraction would be banned, especially in ecologically sensitive regions—have been put forward by the Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative and Indigenous leaders. Juan Carlos Jintiach of the Global Alliance of Territorial Communities emphasized that such zones are essential for protecting Indigenous territories and governance systems. Analysis by advocacy groups shows that existing oil and gas concessions overlap with large areas of tropical forest and Indigenous lands. The conference is not meant to replace the UN COP process but to support it. Organizers stressed that the meeting will produce a set of proposals and national roadmaps, with a group of scientists writing a report to guide countries. The Dutch minister for climate and green growth, Stientje van Veldhoven-van der Meer, stated that the focus is on implementation rather than further discussions on ambition. Participants aim to show that a large enough group of countries is moving toward renewables, possibly influencing hesitant nations. However, observers cautioned that the talks will not lead to immediate binding agreements; a binding roadmap or treaty may take years to develop. Legal and trade issues, such as possible compensation claims from fossil fuel companies under investor-state dispute settlement clauses, remain unresolved. Renewable energy capacity continues to grow, with solar power leading expansion in China and India. According to the think tank Ember, clean energy sources exceeded global electricity demand growth in 2025, and renewables now make up more than one-third of the world’s electricity mix. Despite this, fossil fuel subsidies amount to about $920 billion each year, distorting market signals. The conference seeks to address both supply and demand sides of the fossil fuel economy, including a plan to phase out subsidies.
Conclusion
The Santa Marta summit represents an effort by a group of willing countries to advance the fossil fuel transition outside the limits of the UN consensus framework. While no binding promises are expected, the meeting aims to produce concrete proposals and build momentum for a shift that many participants consider urgent given the worsening climate crisis and geopolitical instability. The success of the conference will be measured by its ability to send a clearer political signal and to work together with parallel initiatives, including Brazil’s planned roadmap for COP31 in Turkey.