After COP30, climate advocates look ahead to Colombia talks on fossil-free future
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‘The momentum is now unstoppable, starting with the fossil fuel phaseout conference in Colombia next April,’ says Ilan Zugman of 350.org
MANILA, Philippines – While disappointed with the outcome of what’s supposed to be the “implementation COP,” climate advocates are already looking forward to action outside the halls of COP and towards the first international conference on the phaseout of fossil fuels in Colombia.
In the final hours of the UN climate talks (COP30), Colombia and the Netherlands announced they will co-host the First International Conference on the Just Transition Away from Fossil Fuels in April 2026.
“Initiatives such as those led by Colombia give us hope that an era of real action and accountability is underway outside of the COPs,” said Avril de Torres, deputy executive director of think tank Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development.
De Torres said the “greatest win out of Belem” came from outside the negotiating halls, “from Global Southern leaders who called for a roadmap to a fossil-free future even beyond official texts.”
Colombia and the Netherlands build on the momentum started at COP30, where more than 80 countries expressed support for a fossil fuel phaseout roadmap.
Delegates and climate activists had hoped to have the roadmap reflected on the Mutirão decision. But this was scrapped in the final decision text. The deal sidestepped fossil fuel language, but managed to deliver on securing climate finance boost.
International environmental group 350.org said momentum for a fossil fuel phaseout is “accelerating rapidly” and expressed hope that this will turn into action soon.
“The momentum is now unstoppable, starting with the fossil fuel phaseout conference in Colombia next April,” Ilan Zugman, Latin America and Caribbean director of 350.org, said. Nikki Reish of Center for International Environmental Law called the Colombia conference is “the first stop on the path to a livable future.”
“A Fossil Fuel Treaty is the roadmap the world needs and leaders failed to deliver in Belem,” said Reisch.
Parties including Panama, Colombia, Uruguay objected the final text during the closing plenary on Saturday, after COP president André Corrêa do Lago deal gaveled down the deal. Sierra Leone criticized “unclear” and “unusable” adaptation indicators.
Climate justice activist Yeb Saño said they leave Belem “with a profound sense of dissonance.”
“The Mutirão is not over — but will move out of the plenary halls and back into the streets, the parishes, schools, and the communities,” Saño said. “We will not wait for any COP outcome to avert the climate crisis.” – Rappler.com