Full Breakdown
Santa Marta Conference Launches Global Push to Phase Out Fossil Fuels
5/1/2026, 8:34:08 PM
Conference Overview
More than 50 countries gathered in Santa Marta, Colombia, for a two-day summit co-hosted by Colombia’s environment ministry and the Netherlands. Delegates drafted “roadmaps” to end coal, oil and gas production and use.
Context
Negotiators cited the “mother of all energy crises” triggered by the U.S.–Israeli war in Iran and UN climate conference (COP) failure to reach consensus on fossil-fuel phase-out. The Santa Marta summit was presented as a complement to the COP process.
Participation
56-60 nations attended, accounting for half of global GDP, a third of energy demand and 20 % of fossil-fuel supply. France issued the first developed-country roadmap; Colombia released a draft and set up a scientific advisory panel.
Climate Imperative
Scientists say current pledges cut emissions only 12 % by 2035, far below the 50 % cut needed to stay under 1.5 °C. Financing for Global South was the main barrier, with proposals to channel fossil-fuel revenues and use debt-relief tools.
Statements
Conference chair Irene Vélez Torres (Colombia’s minister) opened the summit with Dutch minister Stientje van Veldhoven and Irish president Mary Robinson. Colombia’s ministry urged shifting from “an economy built on the destruction of life” to action. The Netherlands called roadmaps tools for “ambition” respecting starting points. U.S. State Department called the transition “destructive” and “bogus.” China declined, citing coal.
Criticism & Opposition
Major producers—the United States, China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and United Arab Emirates—were absent, prompting criticism that the “coalition of the willing” lacks leverage. Some delegates favored a non-binding approach, fearing legal rigidity; others pushed for a treaty.
On-the-Ground Report
Over 1,000 NGOs, youth and Indigenous groups participated in a People’s Summit; a mining-union protest displayed pro-oil slogans “More oil, less Petro.” Sources differ on participant count (56-60) and no binding treaty emerged, leaving a gap between ambition and enforceable commitments.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Let this conference be the moment when ambition becomes action,” — Irene Vélez Torres, Colombia’s environment minister
- “moving away from reliable, affordable, and secure energy to rely on intermittent and costly energy sources is destructive, and the president has been clear that the United States will not participate in the bogus climate agenda.” — U.S. State Department spokesperson
- “The children who spoke during the conference brought us back to what should be the most powerful argument for transition,” — Milena Sergeeva, Global Climate and Health Alliance
- “We need three transitions: out of fossil fuels, into renewable energy for all, and into a world that cares for nature,” — Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland
What’s Next
Tuvalu will host the next “transition” summit in early 2027, co-chaired by Ireland. Organisers aim to feed Santa Marta workstreams—fiscal policy, roadmaps, trade—into COP31 agenda in Antalya, Turkey, in 2026.
