Navigating the Energy Transition: A Guide to Phasing Out Fossil Fuels Based on the Santa Marta Summit

Overview

The global energy system is at a crossroads. The first-ever summit on “transitioning away” from fossil fuels, held in Santa Marta, Colombia, from 24–29 April 2026, brought together 57 countries representing one-third of the world’s economy to chart practical pathways away from coal, oil, and gas. This guide distills the key lessons from that historic meeting, along with complementary developments such as slowing tropical forest loss and the surprising stability of coal power in a crisis. Whether you are a policymaker, an energy analyst, or a climate advocate, you will find actionable steps to accelerate the fossil-fuel phase-out while avoiding common pitfalls.

Prerequisites

Political will and international cooperation

Before any technical plan can succeed, countries must commit to open, frank conversations about barriers. The Santa Marta summit’s “refreshing” format – co-hosted by Colombia and the Netherlands – placed ministers and envoys side-by-side in small meeting rooms, fostering trust. Without similar commitment, roadmaps remain aspirational.

Scientific advisory panel

A dedicated science panel, such as the one launched at Santa Marta’s “science pre-conference” attended by 400 academics, provides quick analysis. Nations need access to clear, authoritative advice to halt all new fossil-fuel expansion and to design transition timelines.

Data transparency

Reliable data on fossil fuel subsidies, carbon-intensive trade flows, and deforestation rates (like those from the World Energy Institute and University of Maryland used to track forest loss) are essential. Decision-makers must have real-time metrics.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Convene a multi-stakeholder summit

Initiate a first-of-its-kind conference dedicated solely to the transition away from fossil fuels. The Santa Marta model shows that including countries with diverse economic profiles – from oil exporters to small island states – creates robust dialogue. Internal tip: Use breakout sessions to discuss specific barriers, as was done in Santa Marta.

Step 2: Establish a rapid-response science panel

Form a panel of academics from various disciplines to produce quick-turnaround reports. At Santa Marta, 400 researchers launched such a panel and endorsed a report advising “halt all new fossil-fuel expansion”. This provides a scientific backbone for national plans.

Step 3: Develop national roadmaps

Each country should create a detailed roadmap that includes:

• Targets for phasing out coal, oil, and gas by specific years;
• Measures to address fossil fuel subsidies and carbon-intensive trade (new tools debuted at Santa Marta);
• Integration with clean energy deployment plans – for example, the US is on track for record clean-energy installations despite policy headwinds.

Example: Colombia and the Netherlands co-hosted the summit and used their own draft roadmaps as discussion starters.

Step 4: Tackle subsidies and trade barriers

Identify and reform direct fossil fuel subsidies. Use the new tools from Santa Marta to assess carbon footprints in trade, thereby avoiding “carbon leakage” where emissions shift to less-regulated regions. The summit provided a platform for countries to share subsidy-reform strategies.

Step 5: Halt new fossil-fuel expansion

Adopt the scientific consensus: no new coal, oil, or gas projects. The Santa Marta science panel’s report explicitly recommends this. This step is critical to avoid stranded assets and to align with climate goals.

Step 6: Monitor progress and adjust

Use transparent data to track real-world impacts. For instance, Carbon Brief analysis shows that despite energy crisis fears, global coal-power output will increase at most 1.8% in 2026 – far less than the “return to coal” narrative suggested. Similarly, tropical forest loss slowed in 2025 thanks to Brazil’s deforestation curbs, demonstrating that policy can reverse trends.

Step 7: Prepare for geopolitical shifts

Be ready for sudden changes, such as the UAE quitting OPEC in April 2026. Such moves can disrupt oil markets but also create opportunities for accelerated transition. At the International Maritime Organization, tensions over gas investments highlight the need to manage vested interests carefully.

Common Mistakes

Ignoring the scientific consensus on new expansion

Some nations continue licensing new fossil fuel projects, arguing that “transition needs time.” But the Santa Marta science panel and numerous studies show that any new expansion locks in emissions for decades. How to avoid: Embed the “no new expansion” rule directly into national roadmaps.

Underestimating cooperation complexity

Unilateral actions (like quitting OPEC) can create short-term supply shocks. At the IMO, countries that invested heavily in gas are blocking progress. How to avoid: Use inclusive, multilateral formats like Santa Marta to address disagreements early.

Falling for false narratives

During energy crises, claims of a “return to coal” emerge. Carbon Brief’s 1.8% projection shows the reality is modest and manageable. How to avoid: Require all policy briefs to cite peer-reviewed data, not headlines.

Neglecting equity and justice

Transition plans often overlook marginalized groups. For example, incarcerated individuals face heightened climate risks (a fact raised at the science pre-conference but not yet widely integrated). How to avoid: Include social justice experts in the science panel and require equity impact assessments in roadmaps.

Summary

The Santa Marta summit proved that a collaborative, science-led approach to phasing out fossil fuels is both possible and productive. By convening diverse nations, establishing a rapid-response science panel, creating national roadmaps, reforming subsidies, halting new expansion, and monitoring progress with real-world data, countries can navigate the energy transition effectively. The accompanying slowdown in tropical forest loss and the resilience of clean energy installations in the US offer encouraging signs. However, common mistakes – like ignoring scientific warnings, underestimating geopolitical friction, falling for misleading narratives, and neglecting social equity – can derail even the best plans. This guide provides a structured path forward, drawing directly from the outcomes of the first conference on transitioning away from fossil fuels.