Last November, the 30th UN climate summit, known as COP30, concluded in Brazil. Around 80 countries had demanded a clear roadmap for phasing out coal, oil and fossil gas, something that was not included because oil-producing countries such as Saudi Arabia blocked the process.
Three goals
Around 60 of the frustrated countries are therefore meeting in Colombia, which, together with the Netherlands, is hosting an initiative outside the UN process. After a few days of preliminary meetings, the two-day high-level meeting begins on Tuesday.
"It is quite obvious that the global climate meetings where consensus is sought between the world's countries are not enough. It is too little and a poor middle ground," says EU parliamentarian Emma Wiesner (C).
She is participating in Colombia as part of the EU's negotiating team.
"I see it as a historically important meeting, to be able to make sharp decisions and talk about the elephant in the room without tiptoeing around Saudi Arabia, Iran and the oil-producing countries."
Pieter ten Bruggencate is a spokesperson for the Dutch climate minister and says that the organizers have three goals for the meeting.
"We want to work on something that so far has only been a few words in the COP28 final document - phasing out fossil fuels - which has never materialized in any form. Now we want to start such a process with like-minded countries."
Goal two is to bring together different climate alliances under the same umbrella with a common "helpdesk" that can spread knowledge. The third is a decision on at least one follow-up meeting.
"If we achieve these three goals, we can definitely say it's a success. But honestly, the fact that we're even bringing so many countries together for the first time to talk about the topic is a step forward."
Increases pressure
The initiative will be presented at COP31 this autumn, which will be held in Turkey. Former diplomat Annika Markovic, who has been an environmental ambassador and is now working at the Stockholm Environment Institute, has no great hopes that such a plan could be adopted there.
"I find that very hard to believe. But you are increasing the pressure and that is important. You have to continue to show that there are many countries that want to do this, and isolate those who are putting spokes in the wheels," she says.
The Netherlands and Colombia are hosting the first conference on phasing out fossil fuels.
Nearly 60 countries, including the UK, Canada, Turkey and Australia, as well as the EU, are participating. Sweden is represented by climate ambassador Mattias Frumerie and a colleague. However, major emitters such as China, the United States, Russia, India and the major oil producers in the Middle East are not present.
The main meeting will be held in the port city of Santa Marta in Colombia on April 28–29.
