60 nations meet for fossil fuel phase-out summit

TL;DR

Santa Marta Summit: Around 60 governments gather in Colombia this week for the first global summit on phasing out coal, oil, and gas.
60 Nations Attending: Includes Australia, Türkiye, Canada, Norway, Brazil, Nigeria but excludes US, China, India, Russia.
Coalition Building: Aims to form voluntary alliances to speed fossil fuel transition stalled in UN talks.

The story at a glance

Around 60 governments are meeting in Santa Marta, Colombia, on April 28-29 for high-level talks billed as the first global summit on phasing out fossil fuels. Colombia and the Netherlands convened the event after fossil fuel producers blocked a phase-out roadmap at last year's COP30 UN conference; participants include ministers from Australia, Türkiye, Canada, Norway, Brazil, and Nigeria, but not the US, China, India, or Russia. Civil society groups meet beforehand from April 24-27, with a summary report due by June. This comes amid an oil and gas crisis from the Iran war, highlighting fossil fuel dependence risks.

Key points

Convened by Colombia and the Netherlands to bypass UN gridlock, where 80 countries backed a fossil fuel roadmap at COP30 but producers blocked it.
Focuses on forming "coalitions of the willing" for concrete policies, finance, and equitable shift to renewables, complementing slower multilateral processes.
Brazil is preparing a global fossil fuel transition roadmap for COP31, drawing on Santa Marta conclusions and country submissions.
Topics include halting fossil expansion, cutting methane emissions, phasing out subsidies, boosting renewables for energy security, and exiting investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) mechanisms that let companies sue over fossil projects.
Pacific island nations launched a declaration for a "fossil fuel-free Pacific" and urged a global phase-out roadmap.
Existing groups like Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance (BOGA) and a Dutch-led subsidy phase-out coalition could be strengthened.
Scientists to launch a high-level panel and report with policy recommendations; a second summit is planned for 2027 in Tuvalu.

Details and context

The summit responds to frustration with UN climate talks, described by Colombia's environment minister Irene Vélez Torres as reaching a "breaking point" due to blockages by fossil fuel producers. Recent Middle East conflict and Iran war have spiked oil and gas prices, prompting African and Asian countries to import record solar components from China to cut reliance.

No major negotiated agreement is expected, but observers anticipate new voluntary coalitions exploring practical steps like smarter grids and efficiency. Developing countries face barriers like debt from fossil imports and ISDS lawsuits; over 340 civil society groups called for a coalition to exit ISDS after Colombia's recent pledge.

Civil society—including Indigenous groups, scientists, cities, unions, green NGOs, and private sector—will feed recommendations into ministerial talks. Experts like WWF's Manuel Pulgar-Vidal see it as an "inflection point" for a "coalition of the willing."

Key quotes

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at Petersberg Climate Dialogue: “when multilateral processes move slowly, concrete alliances of the willing can take us a long way”.

Colombia’s environment minister Irene Vélez Torres: “There is a natural blockade of those themes in the multilateral agendas,” adding the Middle East conflict shows “we cannot be dependent on fossil fuels anymore”.

Brazil’s COP30 CEO Ana Toni: the summit can “keep the debate about transitioning away at the highest political level”.

Why it matters

Voluntary coalitions could accelerate the global shift from fossil fuels stalled in UN talks, addressing climate goals and energy security amid crises like the Iran war. For governments and businesses, it means exploring finance and policies for equitable transitions, while developing nations gain paths out of fossil debt traps. Watch for the June summary report, new alliances announced post-summit, and Brazil's COP31 roadmap, though major producers' absence limits immediate impact.

FAQ

Q: Why was the Santa Marta summit convened?

A: Colombia and the Netherlands called it after fossil fuel producers blocked a phase-out roadmap backed by 80 countries at COP30 UN talks. It aims to form voluntary coalitions for faster action beyond slow multilateral processes. Ministers will discuss policies and finance for an equitable energy shift.

Q: Which countries are attending the summit?

A: Around 60 governments, including COP31 hosts Australia and Türkiye, plus Canada, Norway, Brazil, Nigeria, and nations from Europe, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and the Pacific. The US, China, India, and Russia are not attending.

Q: What topics will the summit cover?

A: High-level discussions on phasing out coal, oil, and gas, including halting expansion, cutting methane emissions, ending subsidies, boosting renewables, and exiting investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS). Civil society will share research on equitable transitions.

Q: What comes after the Santa Marta summit?

A: A summary report by June will inform Brazil's global fossil fuel roadmap for COP31. A second phase-out conference is planned for 2027 in Tuvalu, with more countries potentially joining later.