First global conference specifically focused on the transition away from fossil fuels was held in Santa Marta, Colombia

The first global conference focused exclusively on transitioning away from fossil fuels was held in Santa Marta, Colombia, co-hosted by Colombia and the Netherlands.The Conference saw around 57 countries – representing about one-third of the world’s economy – debate practical ways to move away from coal, oil and gas.The conference builds upon the momentum created at COP28 (Dubai, 2023), where countries for the first time agreed to “transition away from fossil fuels” in energy systems.It reflects a decisive shift in global climate discourse from norm-setting to implementation, particularly in the context of achieving the 1.5°C target under the Paris Agreement.At the summit’s conclusion, Tuvalu and Ireland were announced as the co-hosts of the second conference on transitioning away from fossil fuels, which will take place in the Pacific island nation in 2027.

Key Outcomes of the Conference

¨     Operationalising Fossil Fuel Phase-Down: A coalition of 57 countries agreed on an action-oriented roadmap to operationalise fossil fuel phase-down, marking a clear shift from target-setting to implementation of commitments made under the Paris Agreement.

Launch of Implementation Workstreams: Three key implementation workstreams were launched to translate commitments into action:

¨     Transition Roadmaps: Supporting countries in developing science-based pathways aligned with their NDCs, in collaboration with the NDC Partnership and a newly established science panel.

¨     Finance and Macroeconomic Reforms: Addressing structural barriers such as debt constraints and fossil fuel-dependent financial systems, while mobilising large-scale investment through reforms in the global financial architecture.

¨     Producer–Consumer Alignment: Promoting coordination between fossil fuel producers and consumers to ensure a planned phase-down, minimise trade disruptions and stranded assets, and enable a transition toward a fossil fuel–free trade system.

¨     Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty (FFNPT) Debate: The conference saw renewed debate on the FFNPT, which aims to end new fossil‑fuel expansion, manage a fair phase‑out, and support a just transition, gaining stronger backing from climate‑vulnerable nations.While not formally adopted, the treaty idea gained greater political visibility and is now set to feature prominently at the Second Conference in 2027.

Country-Level Announcements and Policy Signals: At the conference, several countries signalled concrete fossil‑fuel‑phase‑out roadmaps, including –

¨     France has outlined a fuel-by-fuel fossil fuel phase-out roadmap—coal by 2030, oil by 2045, and gas by 2050.

¨     Countries such as Colombia, Brazil, the Netherlands, Tuvalu, and Ireland are to align national energy transitions with the TAFF workstreams on exported emissions and trade.

¨     Science-led transition: A Science Panel for the Global Energy Transition was launched to guide countries with evidence-based pathways aligned with the 1.5°C target and help dismantle legal, financial and political barriers to implementation.

Significance for Global Climate Governance

¨     From Commitments to Implementation: The conference marks a shift from declaratory climate pledges to actionable strategies, focusing on “how” rather than “whether” to phase out fossil fuels.

¨     Emergence of a Parallel Climate Platform: It represents the rise of a flexible, coalition-based approach to climate action, complementing the UNFCCC process and enabling faster progress among willing countries.

¨   Advancing Just Transition Principles: By emphasising equity, financing, and social protection, the conference strengthens the global focus on a just and inclusive energy transition.

¨   Policy Innovation and Global Coordination: The launch of workstreams and national roadmaps encourages policy innovation, knowledge sharing, and coordinated global action.