Fifty-nine countries agree fossil fuel transition roadmaps
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · May 4
Fifty-nine countries agree fossil fuel transition roadmaps
8 articles · Updated · The Guardian · May 4
At Santa Marta in Colombia, participants said to represent more than half of global GDP, nearly a third of energy demand and a fifth of fossil fuel supply backed the plan.
The voluntary summit, organised with the Netherlands, also agreed annual meetings with Indigenous leaders, scientists and other experts, as governments seek alternatives after oil prices surged during the Iran war.
The gathering reflected frustration with slow UN climate talks and with Donald Trump's anti-climate stance, though most of the world's biggest emitters did not attend.
With oil prices soaring, can the global pivot to renewables deliver true energy security or just introduce different economic risks?
As nations escape oil volatility, are they trading petrostate reliance for a new dependency on China's green technology?
Breaking the Fossil Fuel Deadlock: Key Outcomes from the 2026 Santa Marta Conference
Overview
In April 2026, over 53 nations convened the Santa Marta Conference to break the deadlock in global climate talks and accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels. This urgent initiative was driven by geopolitical instability in the Middle East, which caused volatility in oil and gas markets and highlighted the risks of fossil fuel dependence. At the same time, renewable energy became more affordable, making the clean energy transition an immediate global priority. The conference launched key frameworks, including national roadmaps from France and Colombia, a scientific panel, and workstreams addressing finance, trade, and legal barriers like ISDS reform. Despite challenges such as absent major emitters and economic hurdles, Santa Marta established a collaborative platform focused on just, practical action toward a post-carbon future.