Full Breakdown
Global Fossil-Fuel Exit Conference Launches in Santa Marta
4/28/2026, 9:34:42 AM
Santa Marta Summit Launches Fossil-Fuel Exit Dialogue
On 28-29 April 2026, 50 governments met in Santa Marta, Colombia, for a summit on fossil-fuel exit. Co-hosted by Colombia and the Netherlands, it brought producers—Canada, Norway, Australia, Brazil, Nigeria, Angola and Mexico—plus Fiji, Tuvalu, the Maldives and the EU. Delegates were asked to draft roadmaps to halt fossil-fuel projects, reform subsidies and protect workers.
Context: Stalled UN Climate Process and Energy Shock
COP28 (2023) produced only a conditional pledge to transition away from fossil fuels, and COP30 (2025) omitted a phase-out plan. The Iran-Israel war highlights fossil-fuel dependence as a source of instability. Fossil-fuel subsidies receive five times more public money than renewables. CO2 emissions from fossil fuels reached 38.1 billion tons in 2025, a 1.1 % rise, with warming at 1.4 °C above pre-industrial levels.
Official Statements & Responses
Rachel Kyte said delegates felt refreshed to discuss the issue and warned that fossil fuels now represent a source of instability. Irene Velez Torres called the gathering “a new power.” Mary Robinson called it “a new multilateral space for a committee of doers … those who want to collaborate and usher out fossil fuels.” Natalie Jones said “stable and credible policy environment” is needed. Wopke Hoekstra cautioned that the conference should not be expected to deliver immediate large-scale results, but stressed the importance of a collaborative coalition.
Criticism & Opposition
The United States, China, India, Russia and Gulf producers such as Saudi Arabia were absent, limiting the coalition’s representativeness. In Colombia, state-controlled Ecopetrol unveiled the largest refined-product storage tank even as a gas shortage revived coal demand, and opposition candidates have pledged to expand oil and gas exploration before the May 31 election.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Without a doubt, there is no justification whatsoever for any new exploration of fossil fuels,” — Carlos Nobre, Brazilian scientist
- “The mere fact that the conference is happening is already a success,” — Claudio Angelo, senior policy adviser, Brazil’s Climate Observatory
- “We need to shift now from the overarching objective of transitioning away from fossil fuels to actually how we go about it,” — David Waskow, World Resources Institute
- “My expectation is not that this is going to deliver huge results after one conference,” — Wopke Hoekstra, EU climate commissioner
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on attendance, citing “more than 50” nations versus “nearly 60.” The summit will produce a final report rather than a binding treaty, leaving the implementation timeline unclear.
What’s Next
The Santa Marta report will be submitted to the COP30 presidency and to COP31 in Antalya, Turkey, slated for November 2026. Participants plan to develop national roadmaps for phasing out coal, oil and gas, while Colombia’s upcoming elections could reshape its energy policy.
