The First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels came to a close in Santa Marta, Colombia, on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, with cause for optimism: for the first time, 56 national governments came together to begin phasing out fossil fuels. In a win for impacted communities worldwide, several constituencies of the conference, such as academia, Indigenous Peoples, Afrodescedents, and national and subnational governments, included calls to reduce petrochemicals, a key driver of climate change. Parliamentarians and the private sector also called for specific measures to address the plastic crisis.

Ana Rocha, Global Plastics Policy Director at GAIA, states: “Santa Marta brought together a group of countries that recognize the urgency of phasing down fossil fuels. While there is always an appetite for more tangible outcomes, progress matters, and Colombia, the Netherlands, and all involved deserve credit for moving the conversation beyond paralysis. Now countries must build on this momentum to translate intention into decisive action.”

At the Science and policy dialogue held on April 24-25th, GAIA and the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) co-convened a group of experts to offer guidance on how to address petrochemicals as a critical part of a fossil fuel phase-down. Recommendations included freezing petrochemical expansion, establishing declining caps on petrochemical production, ensuring transparency and traceability across the petrochemical supply chain, eliminating subsidies, preventing false solutions, and developing financial mechanisms to support just transitions.

Petrochemicals are produced from fossil fuels, and the International Energy Agency projects that, without intervention, petrochemicals will account for one third of oil demand growth by 2030, and nearly half by 2050.

Fifty-six nations participated in the conference. Many voiced the need for a Just Transition where countries with similar realities and conditions develop solutions together, addressing the complexity of the crisis with actionable solutions.

In a sign of positive momentum towards a fossil fuel phase-down, countries have decided to convene again next year, in a second conference hosted in Tuvalu through a collaboration between Tuvalu and Ireland. The choice of location, one of the most climate vulnerable countries in the world, highlights both the climate crisis as well as the spirit of South-North solidarity. The exact date for the next conference is to be confirmed.

Between now and the next conference, countries will work in three workstreams to develop their decarbonization strategies, including: tackling structural economic and financial barriers, promoting green trade over fossil fuel trade, and addressing fossil fuel dependency and supply.

This historic advancement in international cooperation to combat the climate crisis bolsters the viability of a process that excludes the bad actors who have sabotaged the climate talks for the past thirty years, providing an alternative to the dysfunctional one-country-veto system of the United Nations.

Quotes from GAIA Members:

“This first conference marks the beginning of a transition away from fossil fuel dependency. It is essential to invite more countries to join these efforts. Countries must prioritize reducing petrochemical production while addressing the entire plastics value chain —from extraction to disposal— including waste pickers, and communities affected by pollution. This transition must be people-centered and will only be effective if it is just, inclusive, and grounded in a human rights-based approach.” -Laura Suárez, National Director at Fundación PlastiCo. Project and Science Policy & Scientific Coordinator of the MarLi Project at Universidad San Francisco de Quito

“A comprehensive transition away from fossil fuels requires rethinking and transforming the entire system that relies on them, including ending our dependence on single-use plastics and agrochemicals. Countries must choose the continuation of life on earth over corporate greed.” -Ana Belén Ortega, Member of Alianza Basura Cero Ecuador

“Every story has a beginning. This is it. For the first time people from across the globe are saying this is how we start the plan to end the use of fossil fuels. We will continue to fight for remediation and reclamation of fossil fuel and petrochemical sites because that is where this story must end for Frontline communities. It will not be just if we don’t clean it up.” -Ean Tafoya, Vice President, GreenLatinos

“This gathering was a necessary step toward moving beyond a fossil fuel economy that has caused deep harm to the climate, biodiversity, human health, and the rights of Indigenous Peoples and frontline communities. We leave this conference with appreciation, but also with a clear call: transitioning away from fossil fuels must not repeat the harms of extraction. It must deliver justice, reparations, and real participation for Indigenous Peoples and frontline communities.” — Frankie Orona, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Society of Native Nations

•Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro, Colombia’s Environment Minister Irene Vélez Torres and Dutch Minister of Climate and Green Growth Stientje van Veldhoven attend the Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels conference in Santa Marta, Colombia, on Tuesday. (Raul Arboleda/AFP via Getty Images)

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