By Barbara Nwaiwu
Representatives from 56 countries have called for stronger global action on climate change towards transitioning away from fossil fuels.
They made the call at the maiden international conference on energy transition which ended in Santa Marta, Colombia, on Thursday.
The conference brought together government officials, international organisations, and environmental groups to discuss strategies for phasing out fossil fuels and reducing dependence on carbon-intensive energy sources.
Among the officials present were Colombia’s Minister of Environment, Irene Vélez Torres, and the Netherlands’ Minister for Climate Policy, Stientje van Veldhoven.
Participants at the event called for a coordinated global approach to end fossil fuel expansion, including oil, gas, and coal, while also addressing petrochemical production as part of the broader climate challenge.
Torres argued that the transition away from fossil fuels must become a concrete political endeavour rather than remain a slogan. Veldhoven added that moving beyond fossil fuels strengthens both climate action and energy independence.
According to organisers, the conference aimed to strengthen commitments under international climate agreements and support countries in adopting policies that promote renewable energy, sustainable development, and environmental protection.
Ireland’s Minister for Climate, Darragh O’Brien, announced that Ireland will partner with Tuvalu to co-host the second conference in 2027, continuing the work begun by Colombia and the Netherlands.
Discussions at the meeting highlighted the urgent need for a just transition that considers the economic and social impacts on workers and communities dependent on fossil fuel industries.
Ana Rocha of the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) said the Santa Marta conference succeeded in moving the conversation beyond paralysis, adding that countries must now translate intention into action.
Amnesty International’s Candy Ofime noted that existing multilateral processes like the annual COPs have failed to confront the root causes of the climate crisis for three decades.
Stakeholders emphasised that transitioning away from fossil fuels is critical to limiting global temperature rise and mitigating the effects of climate change, including extreme weather events and environmental degradation.
A new scientific advisory panel, the Scientific Panel for the Global Energy Transition (SPGET), was established at the conference, co-chaired by Vera Songwe, Ottmar Edenhofer, and Gilberto Jannuzzi.
According to international law specialist Margaretha Wewerinke-Singh of the University of Amsterdam, the panel reflects a coalition of governments that want to be guided by science.
The conference also provided a platform for countries to share best practices, technological innovations, and policy frameworks that can drive the shift toward cleaner energy systems worldwide.
Nick Robins of the World Resources Institute described the gathering as “a historic first”, while Karol Balfe of ActionAid Ireland called it “a watershed moment” for the common cause of ending the fossil fuel era.
Organisers noted that the outcomes of the conference are expected to contribute to ongoing global climate discussions and reinforce international cooperation in the transition to a low-carbon future.