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Colombia's Minister Urges Clean Energy Shift at Summit

4/17/2026

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Irene Vélez Advocates Clean Energy

Irene Vélez Torres, Colombia's environment minister, urges a rapid transition to clean energy amid global instability.
Ahead of the Santa Marta summit on April 24–29, she calls to move away from oil and gas.
Colombia, a major oil producer, must balance crude exports with climate goals.
Under President Gustavo Petro, renewables rose from 1% to 16% of electricity.
The summit aims to spark fossil fuel phaseout discussions despite energy-market tensions.

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Colombia Establishes Fossil Free Zones

Delegations from multiple governments will gather in Colombia for First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels.
The conference aims to establish Fossil Free Zones (FFZs) where fossil fuel extraction is permanently banned due to ecological significance.
Colombia has declared a Fossil Free Zone across its Amazon region, protecting ecosystems and Indigenous territories.
The conference aims to create a framework to implement FFZs, balancing development with conservation amid energy volatility.

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Irene Vélez Advocates Clean Energy

Irene Vélez Torres, Colombia's environment minister, urges a rapid transition to clean energy amid global instability.
Ahead of the Santa Marta summit on April 24–29, she calls to move away from oil and gas.
Colombia, a major oil producer, must balance crude exports with climate goals.
Under President Gustavo Petro, renewables rose from 1% to 16% of electricity.
The summit aims to spark fossil fuel phaseout discussions despite energy-market tensions.

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