Outcomes from the First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels.

The First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels took place from the 24^th to the 29^th of April in Santa Marta, Columbia, co-hosted with the Netherlands. A total of 57 countries referred to as the ‘Coalition of the Willing’, including major petro-states, and representing a third of global GDP were in attendance. Formed out of frustration with the lack of a formal fossil fuel phase-out agreement at the UNFCCC’s COP30, the First Conference aimed to bypass diplomatic deadlock. Its key objective was to finally define and agree on practical steps needed to end the production and use of coal, oil, and gas.

In the context of threatened national energy security triggered by war and worsening weather events, conversations between ministers and envoys in attendance focused on how renewable energy can strengthen long-term energy security, affordability, and stability.  The central themes that guided these conversations as highlighted by the Dutch Government were: reducing economic dependence on fossil fuels, transforming supply and demand, and advancing international cooperation.

As such, conversations were not meant to discuss new national and internation targets but rather the practicalities for countries to phase out fossil fuels. Participants tackled tough barriers like national debt, subsidies, and the dependence on oil and gas revenue in many economies. These discussions revealed a growing frustration with the instability inherent to fossil fuel dependence, driven by price volatility, fiscal debt, geopolitical conflict, and social unrest. Consequently, a strong consensus emerged identifying finance as the main obstacle, severely limiting many countries’ ability to fund the transition to clean energy. Ultimately, countries recognised that overcoming these obstacles requires more than an improved funding framework, but also clear national plans, robust policies, and social involvement to break their dependence on fossil fuels.

These conversations delivered five main outcomes:

1)      The Announcement of the Second Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels.

The Second Conference will be co-hosted by Ireland and Vanuatu in early 2027 with the Conference held in Vanuatu and a pre-conference meeting in Ireland. This will foster continuity of efforts and sustain momentum. In parallel to the partnership between Columbia and The Netherlands for the First Conference, the partnership for the Second Conference proves that international collaboration is a crucial aspect of transition efforts.

2)      The Creation of a Coordination Group.

To ensure consistency with COP and continuity between this new series of conferences, a Coordination Group will be formed. The Group will consist of countries leading the transition including the UK, Denmark, Brazil, France, and the Marshall Islands, as well as the co-hosts countries of the First and Second Conferences. The Group will coordinate with the COP30 Activation Group 4 focused on ‘Transitioning away from fossil fuels in a just, orderly and equitable manner’. For context, COP30 Activation Groups [GL5] [GL6] are the driving force behind the objectives defined by COP30. Each Activation Group is dedicated to one of the 30 key objectives by coordinating and scaling related on-the-ground initiatives and monitoring their results.

This partnership is important as it bridges the gap between high-level political pledges and local implementation: the Coordination Group will provide the political will, momentum and national plans while Activation Group 4 will provide the framework and monitoring powers of the UN to feed back into COP.  

3)      The Alignment with UNFCCC Frameworks.

As announced, the results of these meetings will not just stay within this new Conference – they will be sent directly to the leaders organising the global climate summits (COP30 Presidency) to help them build a thorough fossil fuel phase-out roadmap.

Most crucially, the outcome of the First Conference will contribute to a major United Nations climate programme called the Global Climate Action Agenda. This initiative is a strategic global network that connects non-governmental actors like companies, cities, and investors who want to help take climate action. By aligning with this initiative, the conference strengthens and accelerates this global effort to reduce emissions, adapt to climate change, and transform economies by bringing clarity about fossil fuels to the conversation.

4)      The Creation of Workstreams to Reduce Fossil Fuels.

The fourth outcome from this Conference is the creation of three key workstreams to identify ways to reduce fossil fuel dependence and strengthen cooperation. These workstreams will be defined more clearly ahead of the next Conference and will remain flexible for countries to join. The three workstreams will focus on the development and implementation of roadmaps, the financial components of the transition, and on how to best support the producers and consumers of fossil fuels during and after the transition.

These workstreams intend to break down the transition into manageable tasks that countries can tackle more easily. They will target specific problems and aim to provide actionable and realistic solutions to make the transition as just and smooth as possible.

5)      The Launch of the Science Panel for the Global Energy Transition (SPGET).

The last main outcome from the First Conference was the launch of the SPGET – a group of scientists offering their expertise to countries who need support on how best to transition away from fossil fuels. The SPGET’s objectives will be to develop a 1.5°C- aligned roadmap and tackle legal, financial, and political barriers.

The panel will provide the compass for countries and organisations to transition based on scientific evidence and expert opinions.

The First Conference is a milestone within the renewable energy transition, fostering collaboration between the countries who are ready to take real action while providing pathways and support to the ones who are not. The Conference has tackled significant topics that are often subject of debate including financial constraints, social systems embedded in the fossil fuel industry, and the need for international coordination.

The First Conference has also provided the confidence for countries to develop their plans to fully transition away from fossil fuels. France, for instance, made headlines as the first major economy to officially unveil a detailed national roadmap to completely phase out fossil fuels. This officially marks the shift from commitment to implementation and paving the way for other countries to follow closely.

Key Takeaways for Membership Bodies.

The First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels has as its core objective to accelerate the phase-out of fossil fuels and the adoption of renewable energy. This translates in a clear takeaway: organisations need to be ready to electrify their operations and reduce their reliance on coal, oil, and gas. This will look very different depending on the organisation’s industry, location, and size. As such, they can turn toward their trade association or professional body to access the necessary guidance and tools to future-proof their organisations.

If you are a membership body and are unsure what this entails for you, Climate Action for Association (CAFA) is the free resource and network dedicated to net zero and sustainability for the membership sector. We provide resources, peer-to-peer network, guidance, and tools to help you guide your members through this transition.  Join CAFA today.