Insider Series: The First of Its Kind: The Summit on Transitioning Away From Fossil Fuels
Nations from the “Coalition of the Willing” aim to establish a science-led collaboration process and facilitate “a safe space for dialogue” bringing about a fresh alternative start on furthering climate goals.
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Unsuccessful progress from climate conferences to transition away from fossil fuels led Colombia and the Netherlands to host the summit from April 24-29
Three thematic pillars: accelerate climate commitments and international cooperation, reduction of economic dependence on fossil fuel, and remodelling supply and demand
80 states called to address the transition for COP30 but the topic itself was dismissed from the agenda
The US, China, India, and Russia were not invited because of their previous lack of support for the transition which resulted in an impasse in previous climate conferences
Solar and wind energy surpasses global electricity demand, with clean energy catching up to fossil fuels, but does not necessarily mean a long-term interest to pursue clean energy over fossil fuel.
Governments plan to produce even higher rates of fossil fuel not in line with levels agreed in the Paris agreement, exceeding by 120%
Unlike other climate conferences, the TAFF conference focused on a science-led collaboration process, pointed synthesis reports from scientists to inform governments with concrete and actionable plans, collaboration with actors such as Indigenous peoples and civil society, and free-flowing conversations between ministers and stakeholders.
Summarised version of the Key Outcomes from the conference are listed below
After the unsuccessful progress of climate conferences to meaningfully address the shift from fossil fuels, the Netherlands, and 57 nations gather in Santa Marta, Colombia from April 24 to 29, to address three thematic pillars: the acceleration of climate commitments and international cooperation, reduce economic dependence on fossil fuels, and remodel supply and demand. [Transitionawayconference] [Carbon Brief] [LeMonde] [BBC]
The idea of specifically addressing the transition was not by chance, but rather, a deliberate choice from both Colombia and the Netherlands. This was after COP30’s final outcome text made no acknowledgement of fossil fuels despite more than 80 states calling for a focus on transition and the construction of a fossil fuel roadmap. The topic of fossil fuel phase-out itself was dismissed from “presidency consultations” happening privately and on the conference’s official agenda. [The Guardian] [BBC] [Carbon Brief] [European Parliament]
The War in Iran and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz greatly strengthened the case for the phase-out and the shift towards clean energy. The rise in oil prices have influenced the cost of living, offering a clear insight into the insecurity created by fossil fuel dependency. [UNFCC] [CIVICUS] [The Conversation]
While approximately one-third of the global GDP participated in the conference, the absence of major fossil-fuel producing nations such as the United States, China, India, and Russia in the invite list leaves a significant impression. Invites were based on the nation’s support and push for the fossil-fuel “roadmap”. This was to avoid “lengthy debates” as observed before at COP30, and an impasse towards discussing climate goals. [Sciences Po] [Carbon Brief] [Euronews]
The Climate Context
The need to transition away and the drive for clean energy becomes even more palpable as solar and wind energy surpasses the global electricity demand. According to Ember’s analysis in November 2025, these renewable energies aren’t just catching up to coal, oil, and gas – but surpassing the demand growth. Solar energy in particular grew three times larger compared to other forms of electricity in 2025. Together with wind, it provided 17.6% of global electricity from January to September 2025. Data on solar panel imports 2024-2025 from China to African nations have also risen to 60%, revealing the acceleration of the use of renewable energy. In August 2025, solar and wind supplied over a third of Brazil’s electricity but did decrease in the following months. As clean energy yields higher shares, it begins to weaken the hold of expensive fossil-fuel production and imports – transforming accessibility, energy security, and market dynamics. While these sharp rises have become more than evident in the global energy supply, it does not necessarily translate to a steady long-term interest to choose renewable energy over fossil fuels. [AP News] [EMBER a] [EMBER b] [EMBER c] [EMBER d] [Business Insider Africa]
At present, government planned coal, oil, and gas productions are even higher, exceeding levels in line with the Paris Agreement by 120% – an evolving disconnect from limits set by the 2ºC and 1.5ºC consistent pathways. This undermines nations’ commitments as well as making the gradual lowering of future production more challenging. For global emissions to reduce, future production would then need to drop more steeply as compensation. [Climate Analytics] [Fossil Fuel Treaty a] [Fossil Fuel Treaty b]
The Summit
For 5 days, nations debated on practical measures to shift from dependency on fossil fuels. The TAFF conference focused on the acceleration and advancements to implement agreed climate goals. Unlike previous climate meetings, negotiations on the inclusion of fossil fuels in the agenda were not on the table. A “safe space” was provided for dialogue with a focus on a science-led collaboration process. [Transitionawayconference] [Carbon Brief]
Participants were given a prior “synthesis report” from the work of around 24 scientists, including action insights for consideration and a wide range of specific recommended actions. It is specifically designed to provide participating nations with actionable and concrete recommendations, such as halting new expansion of fossil fuels. This is in contrast to the neutral reports usually compiled and circulated in COP. [SMART] [Ministerio de Ambiente] [Carbon Brief]
Nations were informed by and collaborated with several significant actors. These include representatives of subnational governments delegates, Indigenous Peoples, peoples of African descent, peasants, children and youth, women and diversities, academia, social movements, NGOs, trade unions, parliamentarians, the private sector, and multilateral development banks. [Transitionawayconference]
According to Carbon Brief, distinctive features of the conference included the establishment of a “science panel for global energy transition” which involves around 50-100 scientists, free-flowing conversations between ministers and stakeholders, and a “People’s Assembly” to enhance Indigenous and civil society participation. All of which were received well by participants. [Carbon Brief] [Sciences Po] [Earth Negotiations Bulletin] [Amnesty International] [Greenpeace International]
The basis for the conference is not to challenge pre-existing consensus-based methods – notably used in COP – but to complement them. The conference emphasised that states have already made significant progress towards energy systems that are more secure, sustainable, and sovereign. However, a more pointed approach to, among other goals, reduce structural dependencies, debt constraints, and uplift resilient and diversified economies, is necessary to transition efficiently. [Transitionawayconference a] [Transitionawayconference b] [European Parliament]
Key Outcomes: Summarised
There are 5 key outcomes delivered from the TAFF Conference to pursue an “action-oriented” pathway to strengthen international cooperation in advancing the phase-out of fossil fuels. [Transitionawayconference]
A sustained commitment to deliver: For 2027, the second conference will be co-hosted by Tuvalu and Ireland.
Strengthening connections, avoiding duplication: a coordination group consisting of nations heading different initiatives and alliances implementing the elements to transition away from fossil fuels will secure the continuity towards subsequent conferences.
Ensuring complementarity with UNFCCC, existing frameworks and sustaining momentum: the conference report from the TAFF conference will be handed over to the COP30 Presidency for its roadmap, Secretary-General of the UN during climate week, shared in inter-sessional meetings of UNFCCC, and formally presented at the London Climate Action Week.
Channeling our collective power: three open and flexible “work-streams,” supported by initiatives and experts, will be formed to identify concrete opportunities for cooperation in preparation for the second conference.
Work on roadmaps: this work-stream aims to connect nations with the Science Panel on the Global Energy Transition and the NDC Partnership to facilitate roadmaps development and implementation support.
Work on macroeconomic dependencies and financial architecture: this work-stream focuses on finding expertise needed to help the leveraging of collective capacities, supporting needed changes in financial systems, realising finance and investment flows, debt constraints, and financial subsidies and incentives.
Work on producer-consumer alignment for fossil fuel transition: this work-stream will work to map opportunities to connect producers and consumers of fossil fuels that support the decarbonisation of trade balances. It will also consider ways to ensure the transition is people-centred and territorially grounded.
Science as our anchor for shaping the future: The Science Panel for the Global Energy Transition (SPGET) was established to support nations overcoming dependency and help develop roadmaps in line with the 1.5°C trajectory with the aim to dismantle political, legal, and financial barriers.