The First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels takes place in Santa Marta, Colombia 24-29 April 2026, and must be a decisive moment to enable a global just transition to sustainable energy for all.
At COP28 in 2023, governments reached a historic agreement to transition away from fossil fuels in recognition of this primary driver of climate change. The Santa Marta conference is an important moment to demonstrate the progress made to date and to increase international cooperation to overcome barriers and accelerate further action.
Delivering a global just transition away from fossil fuels is not just a question of ambition, but one of feasibility and fairness, particularly for low- and middle-income countries. The Santa Marta conference must showcase ambition but also crucially expand the conversation from targets alone to the conditions required to achieve them.
CAN-UK’s six key priorities for the UK government:
- Ensure no new fossil fuel licences in the UK and reject the application to develop Cambo.
- End fossil fuel subsidies and redirect the public finance to climate action at home and overseas.
- End Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) arrangements in UK agreements and globally to end its chilling effect on climate policy.
- Cancel debt and reform international financial architecture to enable a just transition, including strengthening the Common Framework and introducing UK legislation to compel private creditors to participate in debt restructuring.
- Implement fair polluter pays taxation in the UK and globally to pay for climate action.
- Anchor critical minerals policies and agreements in justice, sustainability, and accountability.
Read CAN-UK’s Santa Marta briefing here to find out more.
