The world’s first conference on transitioning away from fossil fuels has led to the creation of new climate plans and roadmaps.
The conference in Santa Marta, which was co-hosted by Colombia and the Netherlands, comes at a time when governments continue to deal with the impacts of the worst energy crisis ever.
Countries at the event agreed to accelerate international cooperation on transitioning away from fossil fuels by coordinating national and regional roadmaps, aligning cross-border trade policies to build green sectors, and unlocking solutions to systemic finance traps.
Conference delegates committed to helping countries navigate ongoing processes led by the United Nations, national climate plans, the transitioning away from fossil fuels conferences, and country-led initiatives.
Tuvalu and Ireland will co-host the next transitioning away from fossil fuels conference in 2027 in Tuvalu.
A host of countries doubled down on the need to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy, setting out the economic and security benefits.
France presented its national roadmap to transition away from fossil fuels while a global coalition of top scientists convened the Science Panel for the Global Energy Transition (SPGET) to provide scientific input.
International Climate Politics Hub director, Catherine Abreu, said the conference created a space for productive dialogue on some of the stickiest issues facing the transition to renewables and energy efficiency. “No one country can accelerate these solutions alone,” she added.
E3G associate director of energy transition, Leo Roberts, said 57 nations committed to establishing and maintaining a new, dedicated diplomatic space for the structural phase-out of fossil fuels, complementing COP and other existing spaces.
“This forum acknowledges that while domestic transition pathways will vary, tackling systemic risk demands sustained, cross-border engagement outside traditional silos,” he said.
The conference follows an agreement made last week in Vanuatu for a Fossil Fuel Free Pacific - a landmark declaration committing the region to a unified diplomatic strategy to advance a binding Fossil Fuel Treaty.
Australia has shown support for a fossil fuel transition roadmap. However, since the federal government has been in office it has approved dozens of new, expanded or extended fossil fuel developments including new coal mines and gas drilling approval until 2080.