Nations to kick off world-first fossil fuel exit talks
More than 50 governments are meeting in Santa Marta, Colombia for the first international talks on phasing out fossil fuels, bypassing the UN climate process amid growing urgency. The conference, held amid the Iran war and a global energy crunch, aims to foster dialogue on ending new fossil fuel expansion despite the absence of top emitters like the US, China, and India. While no binding agreements are expected, participants are considering recommendations from a scientific panel to halt new fossil fuel projects and reform subsidies.
- ▪The two-day conference in Santa Marta is the first global effort to phase out fossil fuels and operates outside the UN climate framework.
- ▪Major fossil fuel producers such as Canada, Norway, and Australia are attending, but top emitters including the United States, China, and India are not.
- ▪A scientific panel has recommended halting all new fossil fuel extraction and infrastructure projects to limit global warming.
- ▪Colombia and the Netherlands are co-hosting the event, which includes discussions on equitable reduction of fossil fuel production and subsidy reform.
- ▪An analysis shows governments spend five times more public money on fossil fuels than on renewable energy alternatives.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Nations to kick off world-first fossil fuel exit talksSign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxOn the list of attendees are major fossil fuel producers Canada, Norway and Australia and developing oil giants Nigeria, Angola and Brazil.PHOTO: AFPPublished Apr 28, 2026, 11:18 AMUpdated Apr 28, 2026, 12:51 PMListenSANTA MARTA, Colombia – More than 50 governments will meet in Colombia on April 28 against the backdrop of the Iran war and a global energy crunch for the first international talks on phasing out planet-heating fossil fuels.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Straits Times — World.