The First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels, held from 24 to 29 April 2026 in Santa Marta, Colombia, marked an important milestone in translating global climate commitments into practical action. Co-hosted by the governments of Colombia and the Netherlands, the conference brought together representatives from 57 countries and more than 1,500 participants to explore how to implement the commitment first adopted at COP28 to transition away from fossil fuels in a just, orderly and equitable manner.
Designed as a space for countries, subnational governments and other stakeholders, the conference was not intended to replace negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) or to resolve the politics of fossil fuel phase-out. Instead, it created a political and technical platform for countries willing to move faster and exchange practical insights on what a just transition away from fossil fuels requires in practice.
The Conference responded to what Colombia’s Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, Irene Vélez-Torres, noted in her opening remarks: The world is facing a profound “crisis of multilateralism.” Against this backdrop, the event positioned itself as a “coalition of the willing” committed to moving from ambition to action. Discussions were organized around three thematic pillars: Overcoming dependence on fossil fuels, transforming supply and demand, and advancing international cooperation and climate diplomacy.
In this high-level setting, ICLEI, C40 Cities, Under2 Coalition, the Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative and Colombia’s Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development led the Chapter on Subnational Governments, ensuring that cities, regions and territories were recognized as essential actors in delivering the transition on the ground, where climate ambition translates into tangible improvements for people, communities and local economies.
In the lead-up to the Conference, ICLEI and C40 Cities co-led a virtual consultation that brought together 76 participants from cities in both the Global North and Global South, including Paris, Cape Town, Rio de Janeiro and Turku. The consultation highlighted that local and regional governments are already delivering measurable transition outcomes, despite facing regulatory, financial and institutional barriers. This was the message brought to the Conference: Cities and regions are ready and willing to accelerate the shift toward more resilient, secure and sustainable energy systems.
The Co-Chairs’ Summary acknowledged that the event was conducted “together with and informed by representatives from subnational governments.” The Summary also reaffirmed that a “whole-of-government” and “whole-of-society approach” are essential to reducing economic dependence on fossil fuels and advancing a just transition.
On behalf of subnational governments -states, regions, provinces and cities- ICLEI and partner networks including Under2 Coalition, C40 Cities and the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM) submitted a Political Statement, emphasizing that the transition is not an abstract policy goal, but a “defining part of the day-to-day work of local and regional governments, where policy meets reality.” The Statement underscored how subnational governments are already reducing fiscal dependence on fossil fuels, planning economic diversification, delivering renewable and decentralized energy systems, and working directly with workers, communities and businesses to ensure a just and inclusive transition.
“Local and regional governments are already demonstrating that transitioning away from fossil fuels is both achievable and beneficial when grounded in equity, resilience and local realities. Across the world, subnational governments are scaling renewable energy, improving energy access and resilience, and supporting communities through the transition. What is needed now is stronger multilevel governance, targeted finance and political recognition to accelerate and replicate these solutions at scale,” said Rohit Sen, Head of Sustainable Energy at ICLEI.
Although the Conference did not produce a negotiated political outcome, the conveners announced that a synthesis report will be released ahead of COP31. They also confirmed that a second conference will be co-hosted by the governments of Ireland and Tuvalu and will take place in Tuvalu in 2027, signaling the continued importance of North-South collaboration in advancing a just transition away from fossil fuels.
ICLEI is proud to have contributed to this historic milestone, amplifying the voices of local and subnational governments as indispensable partners in delivering a just, inclusive and people-centered transition away from fossil fuels, and congratulates Environment Ministers from Colombia and the Netherlands, Irene Vélez-Torres and Stientje van Veldhoven, respectively, for their leadership as Co-Chairs.
As countries prepare for the next phase of this process ahead of COP31 and the 2027 conference in Tuvalu, ICLEI will continue working with partner networks, local and regional governments, and through the Local Governments and Municipal Authorities (LGMA) Constituency, for which it serves as the UNFCCC Focal Point organization, to ensure that commitments on transitioning away from fossil fuels are translated into tangible action, investment and implementation at the local level.
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