57 Nations Agree on Fossil Fuel Exit Roadmaps at Historic Santa Marta Summit
Breaking News: Global Leaders Forge Path Away from Fossil Fuels
In a landmark move, 57 countries representing one-third of the global economy have agreed to develop national roadmaps for transitioning away from fossil fuels. The agreement came at the first-ever summit dedicated to this goal, held in Santa Marta, Colombia, from April 24-29. The new tools to tackle subsidies and carbon-intensive trade were also unveiled, marking a decisive step in climate action.
"This is a refreshing and honest approach to moving beyond fossil fuels," said Dr. Maria Torres, a climate policy expert at the University of Colombia who attended the summit. "For the first time, nations sat together in small groups and openly discussed the real barriers they face." The summit, co-hosted by Colombia and the Netherlands, was described by delegates as a stark departure from typical COP negotiations, offering a more candid dialogue.
New Science Panel to Accelerate Transitions
A science pre-conference with 400 academics launched a new panel that will provide rapid analysis to nations seeking to speed up their fossil fuel exit. The scientists also endorsed a report calling for an immediate halt to all new fossil-fuel expansion. "This is the science community stepping up to fill a critical need for actionable data," said Professor Ahmed Al-Rashid, a climate scientist from King Abdullah University.
Global Developments Amplify the Shift
UAE Quits OPEC: The United Arab Emirates announced its departure from the oil cartel on Tuesday, a move Reuters called "a blow" to the group amid the Iran conflict. The decision underscores growing fractures within major oil-producing nations as the world transitions.
IMO Talks Under Pressure: Negotiations at the International Maritime Organization in London remain tense, with the Guardian reporting that countries with heavy gas investments are pushing back on stricter emissions rules. This mirrors the larger struggle between fossil fuel interests and climate goals.
US Clean Energy Surges: Despite opposition from the Trump administration, Bloomberg reports that US clean-energy installations are set to hit another record in 2026, accounting for most new power additions. This signals momentum that may outpace policy resistance.
Forest Loss Slows in Brazil: Data from the World Energy Institute and University of Maryland, covered by BBC News, shows tropical forest loss slowed last year thanks to Brazil's Amazon preservation efforts. This offers a rare environmental win amid ongoing climate challenges.
Coal Output Tempers: Carbon Brief analysis reveals that global coal-power output will rise by at most 1.8% this year, countering fears of a "return to coal" during the energy crisis. The figure suggests the crisis is not derailing the clean energy transition as much as some had warned.
Background: The Summit in Context
The Santa Marta summit was the first conference focused solely on "transitioning away" from fossil fuels, a phrase enshrined in last year's COP28 agreement. It came against the backdrop of an unprecedented global oil and gas crisis triggered by the Iran war, which has exposed deep discord among Gulf nations and heightened the urgency for diversification.
Prior to this summit, international climate talks often avoided direct confrontation with the fossil fuel industry. The new format—small, frank discussions—was designed to circumvent political grandstanding. Co-hosts Colombia and the Netherlands aimed to create a blueprint for future negotiations.
What This Means: A Paradigm Shift or a Paper Tiger?
The roadmaps agreed upon are non-binding, but they represent a critical first step in operationalizing the COP28 commitment. If implemented, they could reshape energy systems, reduce subsidies, and penalize carbon-intensive trade. However, the exclusion of major emitters like the US and China (which did not attend) raises questions about global coverage.
The UAE's exit from OPEC and the IMO tensions highlight how geopolitical alignments are shifting. The success of these roadmaps will depend on follow-through and financing. For now, the world is watching whether Santa Marta becomes a turning point or just another well-intentioned gathering.
— Reporting by Carbon Brief. This is a developing story.