Energy prices are surging due to the Iran war. Despite this volatility, the Netherlands and Colombia will host the first international conference on phasing out fossil fuels later this month. The event takes place in Santa Marta and features ministers from fifty countries, international organisations, and NGOs.
Expectations for the summit vary. Hilde Stroot, a climate specialist at Oxfam Novib, calls the conference an “escape route” for struggling nations. She argues that the current energy crisis provides a perfect moment for rapid decarbonisation. Furthermore, record-high prices have increased public support for sustainable alternatives.
Stientje van Veldhoven, the Dutch Minister for Climate and Green Growth, views the meeting as a chance to create concrete solutions. She informed Parliament that she wants to signal global commitment to this transition. Consequently, the summit’s results will feed into a “roadmap” initiated during the previous climate summit in Brazil.
However, the Minister has not offered new commitments. Peer de Rijk of Milieudefensie criticises this lack of action, noting that a co-host should lead by example. In response, a government spokesperson explained that two days is not enough time to finalise a complete strategy.
The conference runs from 24 to 29 April. Participants will focus on reducing fossil fuel dependency, securing green financing, and ending fossil fuel subsidies. This initiative began after the Belém climate summit failed to reach a universal agreement. Now, dozens of countries hope this smaller coalition can deliver the results that larger summits could not.
@anp | NEWS BRAINORT
