Navigating the Transition: A Guide to National Roadmaps for Fossil Fuel Phase-Out

Overview

The global energy landscape is shifting. In April 2026, 57 nations gathered in Santa Marta, Colombia, for the first-ever summit dedicated to transitioning away from fossil fuels. The result? A blueprint for creating national roadmaps, addressing subsidies, and reshaping trade. This tutorial unpacks the strategies and tools that emerged from that summit, offering a step-by-step guide for policymakers, activists, and energy professionals to chart their own path away from coal, oil, and gas. Whether you're advising a government or planning a local initiative, these lessons are immediately actionable.

We'll cover the prerequisites for a successful transition, detailed steps based on the summit's outcomes, common pitfalls to avoid, and a concise summary. By the end, you'll know how to replicate the collaborative, science-backed approach that made the Santa Marta meeting a milestone.

Prerequisites

Political Will and Stakeholder Alignment

Before drafting a roadmap, secure buy-in from key ministries (energy, finance, environment) and national leadership. The Santa Marta summit succeeded because Colombia and the Netherlands co-hosted with a clear mandate. Without political commitment, no plan survives.

Data and Research Foundation

Access to up-to-date energy and emissions data is critical. The summit featured a science pre-conference with over 400 academics launching a new science panel to provide rapid analysis. You'll need a similar baseline: national energy balances, fossil fuel subsidy tallies, and emissions inventories.

International Cooperation Channels

Fossil fuel markets are global. The 57 participating countries represented one-third of the world economy, emphasizing the need for diplomatic ties. Identify partners through existing climate coalitions (e.g., Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance) or trade agreements.

Skills and Resources

Assembling a team skilled in economic modeling, policy design, and public engagement is essential. Many countries at the summit shared that lack of in-house expertise was a barrier—so consider external consultants or partnerships with universities.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Host a Science Pre-Conference

Kick off your transition planning with a dedicated scientific forum. In Santa Marta, 400 academics gathered for a three-day pre-conference. Their key output: a report urging an immediate halt to all new fossil fuel expansion. To replicate this:

• Invite domestic and international researchers specializing in climate science, energy systems, and economics.
• Task them with producing a rapid evidence review specific to your national context.
• Use their findings to inform your roadmap's targets, such as phase-out dates for coal or methane reduction goals.

The science panel launched at the summit remains available for ongoing advice. Contact them via Carbon Brief's coverage to get support.

Step 2: Design an Inclusive Summit Format

The Santa Marta summit adopted a “refreshing” approach: small meeting rooms, side-by-side seating, and open frank conversations. Avoid large plenaries that favor loudest voices. Instead:

• Break into working groups by theme (subsidies, trade, technology, social justice).
• Ensure each session has a neutral facilitator and a scribe to capture barriers and solutions.
• Allow countries to share failures as openly as successes—the summit's candid exchanges were praised as a key to trust-building.

Step 3: Develop National Roadmaps with Clear Phasing

The core outcome was a commitment to create national roadmaps. Here's how to structure yours:

1. Baseline Assessment: Map current fossil fuel consumption, production, and subsidies. Use the International Energy Agency (IEA) data or national statistics.
2. Target Setting: Set near-term (2027-2030), medium-term (2035-2040), and long-term (2050) milestones. The new science report advised halting all new expansion immediately, so no new licenses for exploration.
3. Policy Instruments: Include carbon pricing, renewable energy mandates, and phase-out of fossil fuel subsidies. The summit launched new tools to address subsidies—incorporate those.
4. Just Transition Provisions: Plan for workforce retraining, community support, and social safety nets. Many participants flagged that ignoring equity derails plans.

Example: Colombia is developing its roadmap with a focus on shifting oil-dependent regions to eco-tourism and clean industry. Use their case as a model.

Step 4: Tackle Fossil Fuel Subsidies Head-On

Subsidies remain a massive barrier. The summit introduced new tools to identify and reform them. Actions:

• Conduct a subsidy audit—both direct (budget allocations) and indirect (tax breaks, cheap credit).
• Phasing-out timeline: Start with production subsidies, then consumption. Redirect savings to clean energy and social programs.
• Transparency: Publish subsidy data online and involve civil society watchdogs. The “refreshing” format encouraged peer review among countries.

Step 5: Address Carbon-Intensive Trade

Trade policies can undermine domestic climate efforts. The summit discussed border carbon adjustments and green trade agreements. Recommended steps:

• Assess your country's carbon footprint embedded in exports and imports.
• Negotiate climate-friendly trade pacts with key partners. The EU's carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) is a model.
• Use the new “tools” from the summit to measure and reduce trade-related emissions, such as a carbon intensity label.

For instance, countries like Indonesia are exploring clean supply chains for nickel used in batteries.

Step 6: Leverage Rapid Analysis from the New Science Panel

The science panel launched at Santa Marta promises quick turnaround analysis for countries requesting it. To take advantage:

• Submit a specific question—e.g., “What is the optimal solar-storage mix for our nation by 2030?”
• Expect a report within weeks, tailored to your geographic and economic conditions.
• Integrate findings into your roadmap updates.

This panel can also help model the impact of halting all new fossil fuel expansion, as the pre-conference report advised.

Step 7: Monitor and Iterate

Roadmaps are living documents. Set annual review cycles. Use real-world data like the World Energy Institute's forest loss figures (which this week showed slowing deforestation in the Amazon due to Brazil's efforts) to adjust your approach. Also track other countries' progress—for example, the UAE's departure from OPEC signals shifting dynamics in oil markets.

Common Mistakes

Ignoring Geopolitical Context

The summit took place amid a global oil and gas crisis and tensions in the Middle East. Plans that assume stable fossil fuel prices or peaceful cooperation will fail. Build in scenario planning for disruptions—like the UAE quitting OPEC impacting supply.

Lack of Inclusivity

Some countries at Santa Marta were criticized for not including indigenous or labor voices. A roadmap drafted in isolation will face resistance. Engage early with communities, workers, and local governments.

Overambitious Timelines Without Funding

Many nations pledged to phase out coal by 2030 without securing financial commitments. Ensure your roadmap has dedicated budgets—blend domestic revenue (e.g., carbon tax) with international climate finance.

Neglecting the Just Transition

Skipping social protection measures can lead to backlash, as seen in some European protests. The summit's science panel stressed that a rapid transition must be fair. Allocate at least 20% of clean energy spending for retraining and support.

Copying Other Countries' Roadmaps

What works for Colombia may not work for Kenya. Use the new science panel to produce location-specific analysis. The summit succeeded because it allowed for open discussion of unique national barriers.

Summary

The Santa Marta summit provided a powerful blueprint: start with science, use an inclusive format, create national roadmaps with clear phasing, reform subsidies, address trade, and leverage rapid analysis from a new global science panel. Avoid common mistakes like ignoring geopolitics or failing to fund a just transition. Countries representing one-third of the global economy have already begun this journey. By following these steps, you can help your nation chart a path away from fossil fuels—one that is both ambitious and realistic. For ongoing updates, follow Carbon Brief's coverage and the outputs of the science panel launched at the conference.