If COP won't deliver, others will.

One of the unexpected but welcoming results from COP30 was the coalition of a diverse group of countries, 89 in total, pushing for the development of a fossil fuel phase-out roadmap. The coalition led by the United Kingdom and the European Union urged parties to find consensus on the reference of a fossil fuel transition in the final document. However, resistance came from 100 countries, especially major petrostates such as Saudia Arabia and Russia. They argued that a roadmap and mandated timeline for phasing out fossil fuels was not on the initial COP30 agenda, and that it would infringe on their national sovereignty, as well as inhibiting their ability to transition away at their own pace.

The decision-making process of the UN operates on a consensus-basis, meaning that as a result of this pushback, the mention of fossil fuel was omitted in the Belém Political Package – the set of decisions and initiatives agreed upon during COP30. This came with anger from varied nations – particularly Colombia who had pushed for a roadmap until the last moment – and varied organisations who were present for discussions and press conferences including the World Wildlife Fund, We Mean Business Coalition, Greenpeace International, Oil Change International, and many more.

Tired of this lack of progress and wanting to overcome this political obstacle, Colombia announced it would host the First International Conference for the Phase-out of Fossil Fuels in April 2026.

The Conference will take place in Santa Marta and will be co-hosted with the Netherlands. The Minister in Charge of Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia, Irene Velez Torres, stated that:

“As difficult as it can be, we also know that this conversation cannot end here. We must keep the momentum, lead with bravery, rise to the challenge, and build a coalition of the willing. For that, Colombia in alliance with the government of the Netherlands announces today the first international conference on the just transition away from fossil fuels. We invite all willing countries, subnational actors, campesinos, afros, indigenous, NGOs to join us in Santa Marta. This will be a broad intergovernmental, multisectoral platform complementary to the UNFCCC designed to identify legal, economic, and social pathways that are necessary to make the phasing out of fossil fuels.”

Although a whole new conference operating outside of the UN process had not been anticipated, it is proof that political momentum is building from developing and developed nations, and petrostates alike. The conference will help build international cooperation on the just transition away from fossil fuels and intends to develop strategies to reduce dependence on coal, oil, and gas.

Moreover, the Brazilian COP Presidency announced it will collaborate with the Colombian and Dutch governments to lead the development of “The Forest and Climate Roadmap” and the “Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels Roadmap”.  The objective will be to foster progress on the phase-out of fossil fuels and inform COP31 negotiations. André Corrêa do Lago, COP30 president, explained that:

“The objective is to build a robust technical document, based on evidence and dialogue between energy-producing and energy-consuming countries […].”

The new conference and roadmaps aim at planning an equitable timeline and bringing financial support for a complete phase-out. It will rely on scientific evidence from international agencies and the oil sector. Although the roadmaps and new conference are not bound by the UN Climate Convention, the process will provide a voluntary platform for dialogue between countries that support the initiative.

While the UN process failed millions – if not billions of people – to meet expectations, the sentiment seems to have echoed in the delegation halls. Therefore, the omission of fossil fuels should be viewed as a catalyst for resolve and evidence that progress persists even through setbacks. However, though the pace remains critically slow to align with the 1.5°C, momentum is building around leading and committed countries.

The complete phase-out of fossil fuels should only be a matter of time – and if it doesn’t happen, the world will pay the price. Decarbonisation should happen, and it should happen fast. The groundwork for this to happen is being laid as we speak.

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