As the UN climate summits continue to end in stalemate, a group of countries is meeting in Santa Marta, Colombia, to try and thrash out an end to fossil fuels.

Around 60 countries will attempt to launch a new coalition on transitioning away from fossil fuels. Co-hosted by Colombia and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the conference brings together government delegations, experts, indigenous peoples and communities, youth, academia, and international organisations.

Significant is the fact that the countries account for approximately one-fifth of global production and nearly one-third of global consumption. However, some major consumers, such as US, China and India are not taking part.

Attending are both countries highly vulnerable to the climate crisis such as the island nations of Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and Palau and also hydrocarbon-producing nations from various regions of the world, including Canada, the UK, Norway, and Australia.

“Despite our differences, all participants agree on the need to prioritise science and to move forward, urgently and in a coordinated manner, toward phasing out the production and consumption of natural gas, coal, and oil. For this reason, the conference will serve as a forum for building consensus and demonstrating the will to act on this transition,” Colombian Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, Irene Vélez Torres said.

The conference is the first international forum dedicated exclusively to bringing about the transition away from fossil fuels through direct, transparent dialogue focused on concrete results.

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