Developing countries must hold the pen to script the fossil fuel transition

The recent First International Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels, held in Santa Marta, Colombia, marked a significant shift in global climate discussions by moving from debating the possibility of fossil fuel phase-out to focusing on practical implementation. This conference, initiated by Global South countries and supported by the Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative, broke the longstanding deadlock within UNFCCC negotiations, which had historically avoided addressing fossil fuel supply. However, concerns have emerged over the control and direction of the transition process, with fears that Global North nations and their institutions may dominate the agenda and decision-making. For decades, international climate talks were hindered by an emphasis on reducing emissions on the demand side, while fossil fuel extraction remained largely off-limits. The failure to mandate fossil fuel phase-out at COP30 in Belém underscored this paralysis, as the summit ended with a non-binding “roadmap” initiative lacking formal authority. In response, Global South countries, including Colombia, took the lead in Santa Marta to push for concrete action. Yet, the conference also revealed a familiar pattern: developed nations attempting to steer the process through technical support, risking the marginalization of developing countries and Indigenous voices. Critics have highlighted the systemic exclusion of African and Indigenous perspectives and warned against the dominance of Global North-based institutions such as the Science Panel on the Global Energy Transition (SPGET) and the NDC Partnership. These bodies, representing only a fraction of the global population, may impose frameworks that prioritize private sector interests over the sovereignty and needs of developing nations. The “Chairs’ Takeaways” report from Santa Marta has been scrutinized for potentially reinforcing these dynamics, raising questions about whose interests will shape the fossil fuel transition. The outcome of this evolving process carries significant implications for global climate justice and equity. Ensuring that developing countries retain agency in scripting their own fossil fuel phase-out strategies is crucial to avoid replicating historical patterns of exclusion and control. The transition away from fossil fuels must be inclusive, respecting the voices and rights of those most affected by climate change and fossil fuel extraction.