Can Nations Develop a Plan to Phase Out Fossil Fuels?

(SeaPRwire) –   Over 50 nations have gathered today in Santa Marta, Colombia, for the inaugural international summit dedicated to phasing out fossil fuels—an event that could mark a significant turning point for global climate efforts.

“This represents the first genuine effort to place fossil fuels at the heart of international climate collaboration,” notes Nikki Reisch, director of the climate and energy program at the Center for International Environmental Law. “This conference offers a historic chance for nations committed to addressing the root cause of climate change to unite and bolster international cooperation on executing a fossil fuel phase-out.”

The summit, first proposed during the COP30 U.N. climate conference in Brazil last autumn, runs from April 24 to 29 and is co-hosted by the Netherlands and Colombia. Since his inauguration in 2022, Colombian President Gustavo Petro has prioritized the reduction of fossil fuel dependency.

The meeting occurs as nations worldwide grapple with the strain of rising energy and gas costs, exacerbated by the conflict in Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which have driven global oil and gas prices upward. “The current crisis has laid bare the true cost of relying on fossil fuels, particularly regarding energy insecurity and price volatility,” says Natalie Jones, a senior policy advisor at the International Institute for Sustainable Development. “It has highlighted that the shift toward electrification, renewable energy, and energy efficiency is more critical than ever—all of which are central themes for this conference.”

Clean energy is increasingly proving to be a more cost-effective and reliable power source globally. Last year, the growth in clean energy generation outpaced the global rise in electricity demand, with renewables like wind, solar, and hydropower accounting for over one-third of the world’s electricity supply for the first time.

However, a coordinated global strategy to formally move away from oil and gas has remained elusive. While annual climate negotiations take place, they have historically avoided the subject of fossil fuels. The 2015 Paris Agreement omitted any mention of them, and it took nearly 30 years for governments to commit to transitioning away from fossil fuels at COP28 in 2023. In recent years, climate summits—intended to focus on lowering greenhouse gas emissions—have been attended by thousands of oil, gas, and coal lobbyists. Notably, the most recent COP30 conference concluded last year without referencing fossil fuels.

Furthermore, the COP framework requires consensus, allowing a small minority to obstruct progress.

“The significance of this conference lies in the fact that countries are convening outside the COP process to directly address the primary driver of climate change: fossil fuels,” Jones explains.

According to the Colombian government, the participating nations account for one-fifth of global production and one-third of global fossil fuel demand. Notably, several major emitters, including China, India, Russia, and the U.S., are not in attendance.

This absence may actually be beneficial. “The value of this space is that it confirms that countries willing to act can do so despite the ongoing opposition from major polluters and petro-states,” Reisch says. “The momentum to move away from fossil fuels is unstoppable. The absence of the primary laggards and blockers who have long hindered U.N. climate talks provides an opportunity for other nations to step forward and explore collaborative solutions independently.”

The conference provides a platform to develop pathways for countries seeking to transition away from fossil fuels and to dismantle barriers that perpetuate reliance on them.

“The goal is to tackle the complex questions surrounding how to effectively phase out fossil fuels,” says Leo Roberts, associate director for energy transitions at the climate think tank E3G.

This includes discussions on dismantling systems that incentivize fossil fuel use, such as investor-state dispute settlement mechanisms—which allow corporations to sue governments over environmental regulations—and the creation of preferential trade agreements for nations committed to the transition.

“These are not challenges that any single country can solve in isolation,” notes Alex Rafalowicz, executive director of the Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative.

The summit sets the stage for nations to collaborate on a treaty regarding the transition away from fossil fuels. Organizers aim to initiate formal negotiations for a binding international Fossil Fuel Treaty within the next year. A follow-up conference is scheduled to be hosted by the Pacific Island nation of Tuvalu within the year.

Experts also hope that participating countries will develop individualized national roadmaps for their transition away from fossil fuels.

“The challenge I pose to all attending nations is: what are you doing at home? What specific plans and measures are you implementing?” says Jones. “It is easy to attend international forums and express support, but the real test is whether these countries are truly backing their words with action.”