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The Power of Hope in Climate Action After a landmark climate meeting in Santa Marta, Colombia, where nearly 60 countries gathered to work out how to end the production and use of planet-heating fossil fuels, what have we learned? Liberation Lifts the Spirits The single most important thing to come from the first Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels conference, in Santa Marta, has been a change of mood. Whereas the UN’s annual climate summits, or Cops, can often feel stuck and frustrating, with countries circling the same topics without resolution, nearly every delegate in Colombia felt liberated. Science Has to Come First In a world of climate denial and misinformation, Santa Marta was a shining example of science-led decision making. Hundreds of experts, academics and scientists inspired and informed the launch of three major initiatives on the energy transition. Producers Must Be in the Spotlight Climate activists have long argued the Cop process has been crippled by a focus almost solely on the demand side of the problem. The responsibility of emission cuts was dumped on to consumers, while oil, gas and coal companies were given free rein to ramp up production and profits. Global South Debt Must Be Tackled The urgent need to address the debt crisis was one of the clearest messages to emerge from Santa Marta. Many countries in the global south that want to invest in renewables are unable to do so because they spend a huge proportion of their foreign exchange earnings on high interest repayments and imports of fossil fuels. Not Everyone Agrees on Everything There were few open disagreements among the “coalition of the willing” assembled at Santa Marta, but there are differences of opinion on how to achieve the desired end of a fossil-fuel-free society. Roadmaps Need a Destination and a Deadline One word that came up time and again was roadmap, or in other words, a clear plan for transitioning away from fossil fuels. One global roadmap will not be enough. Every country will need its own, and there are two key requirements: the destination, which should be a full phase-out of fossil fuels; and a timetable, because with global temperatures continuing to break records, time is fast running out. The Future of Fossil Fuels The conference in Colombia has shown that there is a growing momentum to end the fossil fuel era. With the hope and liberation felt during the conference, it is clear that a sustainable future is possible.

A Landmark Summit Sets the Stage for a Global Fossil‑Fuel Phase‑outGovernments in a coalition of 59 countries gathered in Santa Marta, Colombia, to draft voluntary 'roadmaps' that detail how each nation will end production and use of coal, oil and gas. The talks, co‑hosted by Colombia and the Netherlands, aim to move climate ambition from slogans to concrete policy.Voluntary National Roadmaps Proposed at Colombia’s Climate CoalitionThe summit asked participants to develop national plans that map out the transition away from fossil fuels, with the first draft released by Colombia during the meeting. France became the first developed country to publish a full roadmap, signalling broader uptake.Scale of the “Coalition of the Willing”: GDP, Energy Demand and Fossil SupplyRepresents > 50 % of global GDP.Accounts for nearly 33 % of worldwide energy demand.Controls roughly 20 % of global fossil‑fuel supply.Why This Shift Challenges the Traditional UN Climate ProcessUnlike the three‑decade‑old UN negotiations, the Colombian talks focus on export‑related emissions and the role of fossil‑fuel producers, gaps that the Paris‑agreement NDCs have left open. Irene Vélez Torres, Colombia’s environment minister, warned that existing NDCs allow producers to sidestep the climate impact of their exports.What Comes Next: Roadmap Adoption, Financing and Global ExpansionCountries will receive technical assistance to flesh out their plans, while a new scientific panel will advise on feasibility. Future meetings, including a second conference slated for early next year in the Pacific, will aim to broaden participation and lock in financing for debt‑strapped nations.

First Global ‘Transition Away from Fossil Fuels’ Conference Kicks Off in Santa MartaThe world’s inaugural conference dedicated to phasing out fossil fuels opens in Santa Marta, Colombia on 24 April, running through 29 April. Co‑hosted by Colombia and the Netherlands, the event gathers a “coalition of the willing” to chart a pragmatic roadmap for low‑carbon energy after years of stalemate at UN COP meetings.Conference Structure and Participating NationsFifty‑four governments have registered, sending ministers or senior officials. Together they represent roughly one‑fifth of global fossil‑fuel production and one‑third of global demand. Key participants include:EU member states and the UKCo‑hosts of COP31: Turkey and AustraliaMajor producers: Brazil, Mexico, Nigeria, Angola, CanadaAbsent are the world’s largest emitters: China, India, the United States, Russia, Iran and Japan. Colombian Environment Minister Irene Vélez Torres emphasized that non‑participants are “not a problem” for a gathering of willing nations.Numbers Highlighting the Scale of the Coalition54 governments registeredRepresenting ~20% of global fossil‑fuel productionRepresenting ~33% of global fossil‑fuel demandOil price surge linked to war in Iran and closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for ~20% of world oil and LNGThe oil price spike is driving higher costs for energy, food, fertiliser and industrial goods, intensifying pressure on vulnerable populations and boosting the economic case for renewable alternatives.Why the Breakaway Conference Could Shift Climate NegotiationsUnlike the UN COP process, which requires consensus and has been repeatedly blocked by petrostates, this summit focuses on actionable items: financing mechanisms for developing nations, debt‑relief packages, and concrete demand‑reduction strategies. A panel of leading scientists—dubbed “rock‑star academics” by Vélez—will draft a technical report to guide national roadmaps.The conference also aims to harmonise overlapping global initiatives, ensuring that parallel efforts (such as the roadmap promised at COP30) do not work at cross‑purposes.What the Next Steps May Look Like for Global Fossil‑Fuel Phase‑outWhile no binding treaty is expected, the summit will produce a set of policy recommendations and a draft framework for national transition plans. These outputs are intended to feed into the forthcoming UN‑led process and to give finance ministries concrete levers for supporting clean‑energy investments.If the “coalition of the willing” can demonstrate tangible financing pathways and credible demand‑reduction targets, it could pressure reluctant major emitters to re‑engage, potentially reshaping the trajectory of global climate governance.

The Fracture in European DiplomacyThe European Union stands at a critical juncture in its foreign policy, facing the daunting challenge of reconciling divergent national interests to present a unified front against Israeli aggression. The core issue is not merely a disagreement on tactics, but a fundamental clash of historical alliances and geopolitical priorities among member states.Internal Rifts Threaten Collective ActionDespite the shared goal of regional stability, the EU is currently paralyzed by a schism between hardliners and moderate voices. Germany and Netherlands have historically maintained strong defense ties with Israel, often resisting calls for immediate ceasefire resolutions. Conversely, nations like Spain and Ireland have been vocal advocates for a more aggressive diplomatic stance, pushing for immediate cessation of hostilities and increased accountability. This internal polarization has stalled the drafting of a joint statement, leaving the bloc vulnerable to criticism from both the international community and its own citizens.Historical Alliances: Western European nations often prioritize security cooperation with Israel over immediate political intervention.Public Pressure: Growing domestic unrest in member states is forcing governments to take harder stances, complicating diplomatic negotiations.Voting Blocs: The lack of consensus weakens the EU's ability to form effective voting blocs in international forums like the UN.Diplomatic Impact of FragmentationThe inability to speak with one voice has tangible consequences for the EU's standing as a global superpower. When member states act independently, they dilute the collective weight of the bloc, allowing other major powers to fill the diplomatic vacuum. This fragmentation undermines the EU's leverage in peace negotiations and reduces its capacity to impose meaningful sanctions or conditional aid packages.Navigating a Fragile ConsensusLooking ahead, the EU faces a binary choice: either forge a pragmatic compromise that satisfies the most moderate factions, or risk permanent paralysis in its foreign policy apparatus. Analysts predict a temporary coalition of the willing, where a core group of nations agrees to a joint statement while others abstain. However, without a structural mechanism to enforce consensus, this unity will likely remain fragile and short-lived.

Colombia, the largest coal and fourth biggest oil exporter in the Americas, is hosting a groundbreaking global conference this month to drive the long-awaited 'transition away from fossil fuels'. The conference, co-hosted with the Netherlands, aims to break the deadlock in UN climate talks and bring together countries willing to forge ahead with the energy transition.The conference comes at a critical time, with nations embroiled in another oil-inflected war and fuel prices soaring worldwide. Irene Vélez Torres, Colombia's environment minister, said the conference comes in the best possible moment, highlighting the stark choice world leaders face between oil, gas and coal and cleaner, safer renewable energy.Countries are paying the price for oil addiction, not just in their energy bills but in food prices, consumer inflation, shortages, and businesses threatened with collapse. The oil crisis, sparked by the US-Israeli attack on Iran, is spotlighting the risks of fossil fuel dependency.Some countries, like the UK, are already making the switch to renewable energy, with record numbers of households turning to solar panels, electric vehicles and heat pumps. Global power generation from coal and gas has fallen, while renewables have surged ahead, with solar generation up 14% and wind by 8%.The conference aims to bring together countries that want to forge ahead with the energy transition, with 54 countries confirmed to attend, representing about a fifth of global fossil fuel production and a third of demand. However, some of the world's biggest economies and biggest polluters, including the US, China, India, Russia and the Gulf petro states, will be missing.Colombia and the Netherlands hope to create a 'coalition of the willing' to drive the transition away from fossil fuels, with a focus on tangible outcomes, including a report by scientists on how countries can make the transition and a report from finance experts on how funding can be made available.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told reporters that the United Kingdom has a "job" to assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz after reports that the vital oil corridor was blocked again just hours after a tentative cease‑fire was announced. The leader arrived at the King Fahd airbase in Taif, Saudi Arabia, where he met with British and local staff before embarking on a broader diplomatic tour of Gulf allies. The visit mirrors his recent push to shape a cease‑fire framework for Ukraine. While officials describe the trip as complementary to the Pakistan‑mediated talks between Washington and Tehran, many Gulf observers see Starmer as a more predictable partner than a United‑States administration that has been criticised for its unpredictable stance. The cease‑fire, brokered barely an hour before a deadline set by the U.S. president, included a clause to reopen Hormuz. Starmer’s itinerary follows a UK‑led gathering of military planners that explored practical steps for achieving that goal. Iran’s state news agency, Fars, claimed that Israeli actions in Lebanon breached the cease‑fire, prompting a fresh blockage of oil tankers in the strait. Later on Wednesday, Starmer is scheduled to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Their agenda is expected to cover the removal of Iranian mines and the insurance of tankers that rely on the Hormuz route for global oil shipments. "There are many practicalities and moving parts involved; this cannot be switched on instantly," a UK official explained, underscoring the complexity of the task. Addressing the media at the airbase, Starmer acknowledged the temporary relief provided by the cease‑fire but warned that the situation remains in its early stages. He emphasized that the UK’s priority is a permanent solution that restores full maritime traffic. "The impact on our energy prices is evident – we have seen daily fluctuations over the past 39 days. It is our responsibility to ensure the strait remains open so that the world’s energy needs are met and UK fuel prices stabilise," he said. Starmer has previously drawn criticism from former President Donald Trump for refusing to back the initial U.S.–Israeli strike on Iran and for limiting U.S. use of British bases to defensive missions, such as targeting Iranian missile sites. When asked about the risk of the UK becoming entangled in the conflict, Starmer reiterated that Britain acts only in collective self‑defence and that his mandate is to protect British lives and national interests, which includes keeping Hormuz open. The remainder of his Gulf itinerary has not been disclosed, and it remains unclear which other regional capitals he will visit after Saudi Arabia. One government source summed up the mission: "The cease‑fire is welcome, but the decisive factor for the British public will be a fully operational Hormuz Strait, which will have the greatest impact on domestic energy costs." The source likened Starmer’s role to his earlier effort in assembling the "coalition of the willing" that pledged to back any peace settlement in Ukraine, noting that this is his first opportunity to demonstrate solidarity with Middle‑East allies.

The conflict in Iran has underscored how fragile a world built on fossil fuels truly is, with disruptions to oil, gas and fertilizer shipments adding millions of tonnes of greenhouse‑gas emissions to an already critical climate system.While Saudi Arabia and other petrostates blocked any mention of a fossil‑fuel phase‑out at the UN COP30 summit last November, a new diplomatic effort is gathering momentum outside the UN framework.On 28‑29 April, Colombia will host the First International Conference on the Just Transition Away from Fossil Fuels. Unlike UN negotiations, the summit will be decided by majority vote, preventing a handful of countries from derailing progress.The event is co‑sponsored by Colombia – the world’s fifth‑largest coal exporter – and the Netherlands, home to Royal Dutch Shell. Organisers have invited nations that supported the COP30 roadmap, as well as sub‑national leaders such as California Governor Gavin Newsom, a potential 2028 U.S. presidential contender.Delegates, described as a “coalition of the willing”, will share concrete plans to shift their economies away from fossil fuels while safeguarding workers and communities. Climate activists, Indigenous representatives and trade‑union leaders will also contribute ideas for turning the abstract goal of decarbonisation into actionable policy.One focal point will be the reduction of the $7 trillion per year in global fossil‑fuel subsidies, a figure that the International Energy Agency warns could be trimmed without harming the livelihoods that depend on these funds. UN Secretary‑General António Guterres has urged the International Energy Agency to create a platform that aligns the decline of fossil‑fuel investment with rapid clean‑energy expansion.The real leverage of this coalition lies in its economic weight. The 85 countries that backed the COP30 roadmap together account for a gross national product of $33.3 trillion—surpassing the United States’ $30.6 trillion and far exceeding China’s $19.4 trillion.If the Just Transition conference produces a credible, market‑oriented plan, it could send a clear signal to investors and policymakers that the era of oil, gas and coal is ending, prompting a reallocation of capital away from stranded‑asset risks.Adding California’s $4.1 trillion GDP to the coalition’s total would create an economic bloc of roughly $37.4 trillion, approaching the combined $50 trillion output of the United States and China.Newsom has repeatedly positioned California as a climate leader, noting that two‑thirds of the state’s electricity now comes from non‑carbon sources and that its economy has risen from the world’s sixth to fourth largest. He pledged that California will fill the void left by the United States’ retreat from the Paris Agreement by competing in global green‑technology markets.Public opinion supports such a shift: between 80 % and 89 % of the world’s population wants stronger climate action. The upcoming conference therefore represents a pivotal chance to translate widespread demand into a coordinated, economically powerful push for a fossil‑fuel‑free future.