Global Coalition Gathers in Santa Marta to Advance Fossil Fuel Transition Outside UN Framework
Introduction
Representatives from approximately 50 to 60 countries are convening in Santa Marta, Colombia, from April 24 to 29 for a conference focused on accelerating the global shift away from fossil fuels. Co-hosted by Colombia and the Netherlands, the meeting aims to generate proposals and build coalitions of willing nations, without producing binding commitments. The event reflects growing frustration with the pace of UN climate negotiations, which have been hindered by consensus requirements that allow major fossil fuel producers to block direct discussion of production phaseouts.
Main Body
The conference, officially titled the Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels summit, brings together ministers, subnational governments, academics, and civil society groups. Organizers, including Colombian Environment Minister Irene Vélez Torres, have described it as a political space for a debate that has long been avoided in formal international climate talks. Unlike the annual UN COP summits, this meeting does not require unanimity, enabling participants to address fossil fuel production directly—a topic that only entered COP outcomes in 2023 with a non-binding pledge to transition away from fossil fuels, lacking a timetable or blueprint. Attendees include countries representing approximately 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 intended for countries committed to advancing the transition, not for those seeking to obstruct or deny climate science. The summit occurs amid heightened geopolitical tensions, particularly the war in Iran and disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas. These events have driven oil price increases, affecting energy markets and household costs. Mary Robinson, former president of Ireland and a climate justice advocate attending the conference, noted that price spikes disproportionately impact vulnerable populations while oil companies report increased profits. Some analysts warn that supply shocks could incentivize short-term increases in fossil fuel production, creating tension between energy security and climate goals. Conversely, Vélez argued that such instability should accelerate, not delay, the green transition. A central theme 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 pledged to halt new oil exploration. Vélez acknowledged that fiscal dependence is a primary challenge. Financial constraints are also expected to feature prominently, as many developing nations face high public debt and limited capacity 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 facilitate the transition. Proposals for “fossil-free zones”—designated areas where extraction would be prohibited, particularly in ecologically sensitive regions—have been advanced 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 defending Indigenous territories and governance systems. Analysis by advocacy groups indicates that existing oil and gas concessions overlap with large areas of tropical forest and Indigenous lands. The conference is not intended to replace the UN COP process but to complement it. Organizers stress that the meeting will produce a set of proposals and national roadmaps, with a group of scientists drafting 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 demonstrate that a critical mass of countries is moving toward renewables, potentially influencing hesitant nations. However, observers caution that the talks will not yield immediate binding agreements; a binding roadmap or treaty may take years to materialize. Legal and trade issues, such as potential 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 constitute more than one-third of the world’s electricity mix. Despite this, fossil fuel subsidies amount to approximately $920 billion annually, 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 coalition of willing countries to advance the fossil fuel transition outside the constraints of the UN consensus framework. While no binding commitments are expected, the meeting aims to produce concrete proposals and build momentum for a shift that many participants consider urgent given the accelerating climate crisis and geopolitical instability. The success of the conference will be measured by its ability to generate a clearer political signal and to harmonize with parallel initiatives, including Brazil’s planned roadmap for COP31 in Turkey.