How to Transition Away from Fossil Fuels: Lessons from the Santa Marta Summit

Overview

The first-of-its-kind summit on “transitioning away” from fossil fuels, held in Santa Marta, Colombia, from 24–29 April, brought together 57 countries representing one-third of the global economy. This guide distills the key outcomes of that historic meeting into actionable steps for nations, organizations, and stakeholders seeking to design their own pathways off coal, oil, and gas. From national roadmaps to subsidy reform, the Santa Marta model provides a replicable framework for a just and science-based energy transition.

How to Transition Away from Fossil Fuels: Lessons from the Santa Marta Summit — Source: www.carbonbrief.org

Prerequisites

Before embarking on a fossil fuel transition, ensure the following foundational elements are in place:

Political will and inclusive leadership: High-level commitment from ministers and envoys is essential. Colombia and the Netherlands co-hosted the summit, demonstrating how cross-regional partnerships can spearhead change.
Scientific advisory capacity: A dedicated science panel (as launched at Santa Marta) can provide agile, bespoke analysis to inform policy decisions.
Engagement of diverse voices: Indigenous communities, civil society, subnational governments, and parliamentarians must be included from the start.
Understanding of economic levers: Knowledge of fossil fuel subsidies and carbon-intensive trade barriers is crucial for designing effective reform tools.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Host a Science Pre-Conference

Begin your transition process with an academic pre-event. In Santa Marta, 400 global academics attended a “science pre-conference” that culminated in a new science panel. This panel provides rapid, targeted analysis to nations accelerating their phase-out.

Code Example (Planning Checklist):

Invite interdisciplinary researchers (energy, economics, social science).
Identify priority questions (e.g., “What are the employment impacts of closing a coal plant in region X?”).
Establish a peer-review system for policy recommendations.
Publish an “action insights report” summarizing findings.

2. Convene Closed-Door Ministerial Dialogues

The Santa Marta format included small meeting rooms where ministers and envoys had open, frank conversations about barriers to transition. This safe space allowed for honest debate on sensitive issues—such as subsidies—without posturing.

Key Elements:

Size: Keep groups small (10–15 participants) to foster trust.
Facilitation: Use neutral co-hosts (Colombia and Netherlands).
Outcome: Document barriers and solutions for inclusion in national roadmaps.

3. Develop National Fossil Fuel Roadmaps

Each attending country left the summit with plans to create national roadmaps away from fossil fuels. These roadmaps should be detailed, time-bound, and science-based.

Sample Roadmap Structure:

Baseline assessment: Current fossil fuel consumption, production, and emissions.
Phase-out milestones: For example, eliminate coal by 2035, oil by 2045.
Sectoral pathways: Electricity, transport, industry, buildings.
Social safeguards: Just transition provisions for workers and communities.
Finance & investment: Green bonds, carbon pricing, subsidy redirection.

4. Deploy Tools to Address Harmful Subsidies and Carbon-Intensive Trade

The summit delivered new instruments to tackle these economic obstacles. For example, countries can:

Phase out direct subsidies: Redirect funding to renewables and energy efficiency.
Introduce carbon border adjustments: Tackle carbon leakage on trade.
Create subsidy transparency dashboards: Publicly track fossil fuel financial flows.

Actionable advice: Use the International Monetary Fund’s subsidy tracker as a starting point, then tailor to national contexts.

5. Engage Indigenous and Civil Society Participants

Santa Marta included dedicated sessions for indigenous leaders and civil society. Their input was critical for ensuring the transition respects land rights and traditional knowledge.

Participation Steps:

Hold pre-summit consultations with communities.
Incorporate free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) into roadmap planning.
Provide translation and accessibility support.

6. Announce Future Summits to Maintain Momentum

Tuvalu and Ireland were announced as co-hosts of the second summit in 2027. This creates a continuous accountability cycle. Countries should publicly commit to attending the next conference and reporting progress.

Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Ignoring the Science

Without a scientific advisory panel, roadmaps risk being politically convenient rather than effective. The Santa Marta science pre-conference set a new standard.

Mistake 2: Excluding Marginalized Voices

Transition plans that overlook indigenous communities often face legal challenges and protests. Include them in decision-making from the start.

Mistake 3: Overlooking Trade and Subsidies

Phasing out coal but leaving oil and gas subsidies intact undermines the entire effort. Address all fossil fuels and their financial support systems.

Mistake 4: Lack of Interim Milestones

Setting a vague 2050 goal without near-term targets leads to inaction. Use 5-year milestones (e.g., 2030, 2035) with regular reviews.

Mistake 5: Forgetting Just Transition

Workers in fossil fuel industries need retraining and income support. The Santa Marta discussions highlighted social justice as a core pillar.

Summary

The Santa Marta summit proved that combining science, inclusive dialogue, and concrete national plans can accelerate the shift away from fossil fuels. By following the six steps outlined—from hosting a science pre-conference to announcing follow-up summits—countries can create roadmaps that are both ambitious and achievable. The tools to address subsidies and trade now exist; the political will demonstrated in Colombia must be replicated globally. The next summit in Tuvalu (2027) will be a key checkpoint.

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