First-ever coalition forms to ditch fossil fuels as UN deadlock deepens

A coalition of around 60 countries — including major fossil fuel producers — is meeting in Santa Marta, Colombia on Friday to pursue what UN climate summits have so far failed to deliver: a clear pathway away from coal, oil and gas.

The gathering comes as global temperatures continue to rise rapidly, largely driven by fossil fuel use. Participating nations, such as Colombia, Australia and Nigeria, together account for roughly a fifth of global fossil fuel supply. However, key powers like the United States, China and India are not part of the talks.

Progress at annual UN climate negotiations, known as COP climate summits, has slowed in recent years because decisions require unanimous agreement — effectively giving major fossil fuel producers veto power. At COP30 in Brazil last November, attempts to agree on a roadmap to phase out fossil fuels stalled after resistance from oil-producing nations.

Delegates say the Santa Marta meeting is not meant to replace the COP process, but to complement it by building momentum among willing countries.

Frustration with slow progress is being compounded by scientific warnings that the window to limit global warming is rapidly closing. Researchers say surpassing the 1.5°C threshold would significantly increase the likelihood of severe and irreversible impacts, including extreme heatwaves, floods, droughts and wildfires.

“We are inevitably going to cross the 1.5°C limit within the next three to five years,” said Johan Rockström, warning that doing so would push the planet into a far more dangerous state and closer to critical tipping points in Earth’s systems.

At the same time, geopolitical tensions are reshaping the global energy debate. While the United States has recently doubled down on fossil fuels under President Donald Trump, many other nations remain undecided about how quickly to transition away from them.

Participants in Santa Marta argue the meeting’s broader aim is to demonstrate that a “critical mass” of countries is moving toward renewable energy — encouraging hesitant nations to follow.

“We are committed to supporting countries that want to accelerate their transition to clean and secure energy,” said UK climate envoy Rachel Kyte.

Recent instability in the Middle East has further highlighted the risks of dependence on fossil fuels, pushing up oil prices and renewing concerns about energy security. Former Irish president Mary Robinson said the current crisis underscores the urgency of shifting to cleaner energy sources.

Events affecting key shipping routes like the Strait of Hormuz are also influencing consumer behavior. According to Prof Rockström, demand for electric vehicles in Europe is rising as people seek greater energy independence and protection from volatile fossil fuel markets.

The emergence of this “coalition of the willing” raises questions about whether global climate action is moving beyond the traditional COP framework. However, organizers insist the initiative is designed to strengthen, not replace, the UN process.

Outcomes from the Santa Marta meeting are expected to feed into Brazil’s upcoming climate strategy ahead of COP31, where the country plans to present a renewed roadmap for phasing out fossil fuels.