The inaugural international conference on “transitioning away from fossil fuels” was held in Santa Marta, Colombia, from 24 to 29 April 2026. It marked a significant development in climate diplomacy. Although the conference did not result in a treaty, establish phase-out deadlines, or include all major emitters, it shifted the focus of global climate politics from emissions to fossil fuels themselves: coal, oil, and gas.

Born from COP30 frustration over the fossil-fuel roadmap

The conference stemmed from unresolved tensions at COP30 in Brazil. About 80 countries supported a ‘roadmap’ to phase out fossil fuels, but it was excluded from the final outcome. Colombia and the Netherlands then created a new diplomatic forum outside the COP process, where countries can discuss reducing dependence on fossil fuels via national roadmaps, financial reform, subsidy removal, trade measures, and just transition planning.

The urgency is unprecedented. The World Meteorological Organisation states 2015-2025 is the hottest 11-year period, with 2025 projected at 1.43°C above 1850–1900. The International Energy Agency says energy-related CO₂ emissions hit 37.8 gigatonnes in 2024, and atmospheric CO₂ is 422.5 ppm, 50% above pre-industrial levels. The Global Carbon Project forecasts fossil CO₂ emissions at 38.1 billion tonnes in 2025. The Production Gap Report 2025 warns governments plan to produce over twice the fossil fuels needed by 2030 to limit warming to 1.5°C.

Santa Marta gathered 57 countries—about a third of the global economy—and diverse stakeholders. The conference was politically significant as major powers like the US, China, and India, along with key fossil-fuel states, were absent. While their absence allowed open discussion, it also exposed limits of a transition excluding the world’s biggest emitters and consumers. A successful global shift from fossil fuels needs a negotiated, equitable, and well-funded international agreement, not just a coalition of willing nations.

The significance of Colombia’s role

Colombia, a fossil-fuel producer, aims to reposition itself as a transition leader. Santa Marta’s significance is political. The conference in a developing country is aware of the challenges in shifting away from extractive revenues, unlike wealthy European capitals. This context is especially relevant for the developing world. Many low- and middle-income countries do not oppose a transition away from fossil fuels. However, they are concerned about an externally imposed, underfunded, and inequitable shift that ignores development needs. Santa Marta reframed the debate from moral imperatives to practical solutions. These included revenue replacement, worker protection, subsidy reform, avoidance of debt traps, renewable energy expansion, and preventing inequality.

Civil society campaigners, including climate justice, Indigenous, youth, and health advocates, and fossil-fuel treaty groups, argued that fossil fuel expansion undermines the Paris Agreement, shifting the focus from emissions to fossil fuel governance. The conference emphasised protecting biodiversity and human rights, warning against perpetuating extractive harms through unsustainable mining, renewable energy expansion, or land grabs.

The positives: a roadmap for politics begins

The conference’s outcomes are modest yet strategically significant. Participating countries agreed to establish workstreams to develop roadmaps for transitioning away from fossil fuels. These efforts will align with Nationally Determined Contributions and emphasise reductions in climate plans. A finance workstream will target subsidies, debt traps, and investment shifts needed for the transition. A trade workstream will examine trade that is fossil-fuel-intensive and steps toward a fossil-fuel-free system.

A science panel focused on the global energy transition was created to provide quick, country-specific guidance on pathways, technologies, policy, and finance, linking climate science with national action. The conference also announced a second summit in Tuvalu in 2027, co-hosted by Tuvalu and Ireland. Santa Marta marks the start of ongoing diplomacy, not a one-time event. These voluntary, non-binding, and fragile outcomes are unlikely to rapidly cut fossil fuel use but could influence future policies. If countries incorporate fossil-fuel roadmaps into their NDCs, phase out subsidies, realign public finance, and report plans, Santa Marta could establish a new implementation norm.

Priorities for COP31 to harness the Santa Marta gains

COP31’s goal is to turn Santa Marta’s momentum into a stronger global framework, building on COP30’s informal roadmap for fossil fuels. It should define measurable targets beyond just ‘transitioning away,’ such as halting new unabated fossil fuel expansion, developing national roadmaps, reforming subsidies, funding for developing nations, worker protections, and support for fossil-fuel-dependent economies. Engaging petro-dependent countries with constructive pathways for diversification, debt relief, and technology access is key; they shouldn’t justify indefinite fossil fuel expansion in the name of equity. Wealthier fossil-fuel-producing nations must act swiftly, and all countries need credible transition plans.

What it means for India

India faces both challenges and opportunities from Santa Marta’s outcomes. Its 2031–2035 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) doesn’t specify phasing out fossil fuels but aims for a 47% reduction in emissions intensity from 2005 levels by 2035 and to increase non-fossil power capacity to about 60%. India’s case for equity is strong, with lower per capita emissions and significant development needs. However, equity doesn’t negate the need for planning for fossil fuels. India can use Santa Marta’s roadmap to meet goals such as expanding renewables, diversifying coal regions, promoting green industry, improving public transport, advancing distributed energy and storage, reforming the grid, and securing just transition finance. Instead of a uniform phase-out, India can shape an equitable transition for large developing economies.

A fundamental shift or another marginal climate event?

Santa Marta can influence the global economy if three conditions are met: voluntary roadmaps become national policies with budgets and accountability, fossil-fuel financing changes, including subsidies and taxes, and major emitters join without lowering ambition. Ending the fossil-fuel era requires more than rhetoric: planned decline, funded alternatives, political resolve, and justice. Santa Marta has reframed the debate; the world now asks how quickly, fairly, and with what funding to transition. COP31 must answer.

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