Media Briefing: The Santa Marta Conference on Just Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels

Brussels, 16 April 2026, The Santa Marta Conference comes at a decisive geopolitical moment: escalating conflict, economic instability and energy insecurity are once again exposing the structural risks of fossil fuel dependence. For Europe, phasing out fossil-fuels is a question of security, resilience and long-term prosperity. Santa Marta must therefore mark a turning point: from political signalling, to a concrete delivery plan for a fast, fair and people-centred transition away from fossil fuels.

The science is unequivocal and the political momentum is growing, yet momentum alone is insufficient. Governments attending the conference must now translate commitments into a credible, coordinated global phaseout pathway aligned with 1.5°C. This means clear timelines, robust governance and accountability, and international cooperation grounded in equity and human rights. In this context, the European Union has both a responsibility and an opportunity: to end its own fossil fuel dependence while actively contributing to the shaping of a global transition framework.

Chiara Martinelli, Director at CAN Europe said:

“Santa Marta must send a clear and irreversible signal: the window for incrementalism has closed and the fossil fuel era is ending. At a time of harrowing violence and rising geopolitical instability, governments cannot afford half-measures. Europe has some positive practices and building blocks for fossil fuel phaseout, but it must pick up the pace, ending fossil fuel dependence at home while driving a credible and just global phaseout. There can be no lasting peace or security in a fossil fuel economy.”

CAN Europe’s Key Demands for the Santa Marta Conference

1. Advance a global fossil fuel phaseout roadmap
   Santa Marta should strengthen and operationalise the COP30 Presidency-led process for a fossil-fuel phaseout roadmap, including commitments to end fossil fuel expansion immediately and establish science-based timelines for phasing out production and consumption.
   
2. Accelerate European transition to maintain credibility
   This requires the EU committing to binding commitments to phase out coal by 2030 and fossil gas by 2035, alongside a clear pathway to 100% renewable energy across all sectors by 2040.
   
3. Shift public finance decisively away from fossil fuels
   Governments should adopt binding frameworks to phase out fossil fuel subsidies across all sectors and introduce effective taxation on excess fossil fuel profits. These resources must instead be redirected towards renewable energy systems, just transition programmes, and social protections that ensure affordability and fairness.
   
4. Scale up international climate finance
   Delivering the $300 billion global climate finance goal will require predictable, grant-based public finance and stronger contributions from European governments. Structural barriers must also be addressed, including unsustainable debt burdens that lock many countries into fossil fuel dependence.
   
5. Remove legal and structural barriers that hinder progress
   Investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) mechanisms continue to pose a significant obstacle to fossil fuel phaseout by exposing governments to litigation risks. Countries should commit to excluding ISDS from future agreements, reviewing and cancelling existing treaties with ISDS, and exploring coordinated withdrawal mechanisms that also deal with sunset clauses, potentially through participation in an ‘ISDS-free alliance’.
   
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   Read CAN Europe’s detailed expectations towards the Santa Marta Conference on Just Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels

The People’s Summit for a Fossil Free Future

Outside the formal negotiations, civil society, grassroots movements and climate activists will convene at the People’s Summit for a Fossil Free Future (24 – 26 April, Santa Marta).

The Summit will serve as a key space to align civil society around a shared vision for a rapid, equitable and just energy transition. This will culminate in positions which will be formally channelled into the official process through the Assembly of the Peoples on 27 April: a dedicated platform convened by the Colombian government to enable direct dialogue between civil society and government representatives.

The Summit is coordinated by a broad coalition of more than 900 organisations and networks, co-convened by the Permanent Council for a Just Energy Transition, the Global Campaign to Demand Climate Justice, and Climate Action Network International, with CAN Europe actively contributing.

ENDS


Notes to the Editor: 

1. Read CAN Europe’s detailed expectations towards the Santa Marta Conference on Just Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels (March 2026) 
2. Read CAN Europe & partners policy brief: Why Europe Must Address ISDS as a Systemic Barrier to a Just Transition (April 2026)
3. Ahead of Santa Marta, mobilisation activities and satellite events are taking place globally, alongside a range of side events during the Conference itself. Details here: The People’s Summit For a Fossil Free Future
   
   

For more information and media requests:

Tomas Spragg Nilsson, Senior Communications Coordinator, CAN Europe
tomas.spraggnilsson@caneurope.org / +46 707 65 63 92