Full Breakdown
Santa Marta Conference Launches Global Coalition to Phase Out Fossil Fuels
4/30/2026, 1:42:33 AM
Event
The summit opened on 27 April 2026 in Santa Marta, Colombia, co-hosted by Colombia and Netherlands. Fifty-four governments, from Australia to the EU, met to discuss steps to phase out oil, gas and coal, complementing talks.
Context
UN COPs stalled after 2023 Dubai pledge to transition from fossil fuels. Early-2026 Iran-Israel war sparked an oil-price surge, which IEA called “the mother of all energy crises,” heightening urgency for a shift.
Participants
Participants included Colombia, Netherlands, Australia, Mexico, Nigeria, France, Vanuatu, Spain, Germany, UK, Canada, Brazil, Turkey, EU, Ireland, Marshall Islands and Tuvalu. Officials: Colombia’s minister Irene Velez-Torres, Netherlands climate minister Stientje van Veldhoven and France’s climate envoy Benoit Faraco.
Numbers
The 54-nation coalition represents half of GDP and 2.5 billion people. Fossil-fuel subsidies total $1.5 trillion. African debt has doubled to $1 trillion, limiting renewables. Solar generation rose 33 % in 2025; China’s solar exports up 50 % in March 2026. Fossil-fuel use linked to 546 000 heat-related deaths and 2.5 million air-pollution deaths.
Statements
Velez-Torres said the summit aims to launch a coalition that “empowers people.” Van Veldhoven urged financial tools and subsidy reform. Faraco outlined France’s roadmap to end coal by 2027, oil by 2045 and gas by 2050. U.S. State Department called the agenda “bogus” and “destructive.” Berman pushed for a binding treaty; Gómez noted some prefer a non-binding approach.
Opposition
Debt advocates Lidy Nacpil and former environment minister Susana Muhamad warned that debt blocks renewable investment, urging relief. Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative said transition is “impossible” without fiscal space. United States, absent, argued that abandoning “reliable, affordable, and secure energy” is harmful. Saudi Arabia has opposed fossil-fuel language at UN talks, preferring voluntary or non-binding outcomes.
Impact
Delegates say reducing reliance on fossil markets improves security. Cutting fossil-fuel use also addresses heat-related deaths and air-pollution mortality. Climate scientists warn pledges would cut emissions only 12 % by 2035, far short of the 50 % reduction needed to stay within 1.5 °C, underscoring urgent phase-out.
Quotes
- “Let this conference be the moment when ambition becomes action.” — Irene Velez-Torres, Colombia Environment Minister
- “There is inertia in the power and the economy of this archaic form of energy – fossil fuels – that lead to death.” — Gustavo Petro, President of Colombia
- “I have, as a scientist, never felt so encouraged.” — Johan Rockström, Director, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research
- “We’re not negotiating ambitions, we’re not negotiating commitments. This really is about sharing how you do this.” — Stientje van Veldhoven, Netherlands Climate Minister
Next
Attendees will draft a proposal outlining pathways to phase out oil, gas and coal, with a follow-up summit slated for Tuvalu in 2027. The Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative aims to turn the recommendations into a binding treaty, pending consensus among participants.
