‘Historic breakthrough’: Colombia climate talks end with hopes for fossil fuel phaseout
Nearly 60 countries convened in Colombia for a landmark climate meeting aimed at developing voluntary national roadmaps to phase out fossil fuel production and use, marking a shift from traditional UN climate talks. The initiative, co-hosted by Colombia and the Netherlands, emphasizes a collective but flexible approach to transitioning away from coal, oil and gas, acknowledging differing national circumstances. While major emitters and petrostates were absent, the participating 'coalition of the willing' represents a significant share of global GDP and energy demand.
- ▪Nearly 60 countries agreed to develop voluntary national roadmaps to end fossil fuel production and use following talks in Colombia.
- ▪The conference was co-hosted by Colombia and the Netherlands and focused on trade, debt, and reducing fossil fuel dependence, especially among producer nations.
- ▪Colombia released a draft roadmap and established a scientific panel, while France became the first developed country to publish a national phaseout plan.
- ▪Major fossil fuel emitters including the US, China, India, Russia, and Gulf states did not attend the meeting.
- ▪Unlike Paris Agreement climate plans, the new roadmaps aim to address both domestic emissions and the climate impact of fossil fuel exports.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Colombia’s environment minister, Irene Vélez Torres, (left) with her counterpart from the Netherlands, Stientje van Veldhoven, in Santa Marta. Photograph: Raúl Arboleda/AFP/GettyView image in fullscreenColombia’s environment minister, Irene Vélez Torres, (left) with her counterpart from the Netherlands, Stientje van Veldhoven, in Santa Marta. Photograph: Raúl Arboleda/AFP/GettyClimate crisis‘Historic breakthrough’: Colombia climate talks end with hopes raised for fossil fuel phaseoutNearly 60 countries back voluntary roadmaps to wean world off coal, oil and gas, at conference prompted by frustration with UN climate summits Business live – latest updates Europe live – latest updates Fiona Harvey and Jonathan Watts in Santa MartaThu 30 Apr 2026 06.15 EDTLast modified on Thu 30 Apr 2026…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at The Guardian — World.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from The Guardian — World
