WWF: Santa Marta Conference must build political momentum for implementing a just energy transition

WWF welcomes the First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels, taking place from 24 to 29 April, in Santa Marta, Colombia. The meeting sends a clear signal that the urgency of transitioning away from fossil fuels can no longer be ignored.

Earth’s climate is more out of balance than at any point in recorded history. Coal, oil, and gas remain the dominant drivers of the climate crisis – fueling rising greenhouse gas emissions, worsening climate hazards, and deepening impacts on people and nature. Decisions taken in this decade by governments and companies will determine whether a liveable future remains within reach.

Amid an escalating fossil energy crisis, the Santa Marta conference represents a critical opportunity for governments to accelerate the implementation of the historic climate COP28 agreement to transition away from fossil fuels.

Given this, WWF calls for strong political signals that demonstrate leadership among committed governments and launch credible next steps, leading to accelerated progress on national implementation. WWF also expects the conference to contribute meaningfully to the COP30 Presidency Roadmap on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels.

Manuel Pulgar‑Vidal, WWF Global Climate and Energy Lead and COP20 President, said: “Fossil fuels are the match we keep striking in a world already on fire, pumping out heat-trapping fumes that turn today’s extremes into tomorrow’s new normal. Changing the world’s dependence on fossil fuels isn’t a slow problem with a slow solution: we need a rapid, global shift to renewable power, smarter grids, and efficiency, so emissions fall fast and stay down. And we need a ‘coalition of the willing’ to show us the way. Santa Marta is an inflection point and an opportunity that we should not miss.”

The First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels, to be held in Santa Marta, is structured around three pillars:

1. overcoming economic dependence on fossil fuels;
2. transforming energy supply and demand; and
3. advancing international cooperation and climate diplomacy.
   
   

Across these areas, WWF is calling on governments to stop new fossil fuel expansion, rapidly reduce demand, phase out fossil fuel subsidies, address the governance gap on fossil fuels, ensure just transition measures, adopt science-based decarbonisation pathways, and build a geographically diverse coalition of countries willing to coordinate action, complementary to the UNFCCC.

Fernanda de Carvalho, WWF Global Climate and Energy Policy Head, said the Santa Marta conference is a pivotal opportunity to demonstrate that genuine leadership on transitioning away from fossil fuels is finally emerging.

“For WWF, this meeting must send a strong collective signal that governments are ready to accelerate implementation. And critically, visible engagement from developed countries will be important to show that the transition must address both supply and demand, ensuring it is just, orderly, and equitable – and entirely achievable. We expect a robust final report defining science‑based pathways for implementation that can contribute to the COP30 Presidency Roadmap on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels.”

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