Cristian Retamal, a former Chilean negotiator at the annual UN climate talks, hopes this week’s conference in Colombia will spark a new global political movement.
Retamal is in Colombia’s northern coastal city of Santa Marta, where representatives from more than 50 countries are meeting. First-ever conference on moving away from fossil fuels Which are warming the planet.
Their aim is to create a practical, equitable plan to help the world reduce its dependence on coal, oil and natural gas, and to identify what legal, economic and social measures are needed to do so.
The conference, to be held from April 24 to 29, was held amid disappointment at last year’s UN climate conference. Despite the support of a broad coalition of more than 80 countries, the negotiations failed to meet a binding mandate to phase out fossil fuels, due to a veto led by petrostates such as Russia and Saudi Arabia.
Retamal said the widespread international interest at all levels shows that the world has recognized the need to end the fossil fuel era, despite the impasse at the COP.
“In the ’90s, climate became an issue at the UN level because some countries decided to start working on it and put pressure on the UN system to address this issue,” Retamal told DW. He believes the Colombia talks could be a similar catalyst.
Major fossil fuel nations are participating
Colombian Environment Minister Irene Velez Torres, whose country is co-hosting with the Netherlands, said participants in the unprecedented meeting are not just countries on the front lines of climate change, such as Pacific island developing states.
Major fossil fuel producing countries such as Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom and Norway are also participating. Along with the European Commission, Germany, France and some other EU member states are also sending representatives.
The world’s largest coal, oil and gas producers like the US, China, Saudi Arabia and Russia will not be there. But that hasn’t stopped major environmental organizations like Greenpeace and WWF from calling it a “historic” meeting of a new “coalition of the willing.”
End fossil fuel subsidies?
“This is time for implementation, no further discussion on ambitions,” a spokesman for Stientje van Veldhoven-Van der Meer, the Dutch minister of climate and green growth, told DW.
“We will begin concrete work with a group of countries with shared views on what the transition away from fossil fuels looks like and what is required: supply and demand reduction,” he said. Part of that change will include a plan to “phase out fossil fuel subsidies.”
Recent years have seen record growth in renewable energy. Led by solar power, especially in China and India, clean energy sources are expected to exceed global demand for electricity in 2025. The latest analysis from energy think tank Amber.
The share of renewable energy, including solar, wind, hydropower and other clean energy, exceeded one-third of the world’s electricity mix for the first time last year.
But the world is still years away from phasing out fossil fuel electricity and associated greenhouse gas emissions. Fossil fuels are being subsidized by about $920 billion (€782 billion) every year, making oil, gas and coal appear better priced than they actually are.
Iran faced excessive dependence on fossil fuels
The burning of fossil fuels is a major contributor to global warming, causing longer heat waves and droughts, stronger storms and floods around the world. These consequences are becoming more severe and costly, with lasting consequences for people and economies.
The rise in oil and gas prices and supply shortages caused by the Iran war have highlighted the insecurity of countries that depend on fossil fuels, or the revenues generated from their sales.
Lily Fuhr, director of the Fossil Economy Program at the Center for International Environmental Law, said, “Moving away from fossil fuels reduces the risks of both external dependence and toxic pollution, enables more sustainable development, and strengthens self-determination and democracy.”
For years, energy experts have warned against relying too heavily on coal, oil and gas to power the global economy. Retamal said that the conference in Santa Marta was not held in the context of the current energy crisis, but that it gave delegates “a good reason to discuss seriously”. […] How to move away from fossil fuels.”
There is no ‘magic wand’ to end dependence on fossil fuels
Despite the optimism, Madeleine Warner, climate and energy expert at the German aid organization Miserer, said negotiations would not serve as a “magic wand” to resolve all the problems and obstacles that have persisted for decades.
Retamal agreed, saying it would take years for countries to agree on a binding road map or treaty. Delegates will discuss not only how to phase out fossil fuels, but also the many legal and trade issues that go along with such a significant transition.
Warner pointed out that major corporations, for example, could decide to claim compensation for lost profits under the investor-state dispute settlement clause if their fossil fuel facilities are closed earlier than planned. He said such a far-reaching decision would not only mean potential costs, but could also lead to bilateral disputes.
Millions of people around the world also depend on the fossil fuel industry for their livelihood. Ultimately, it will also have to be ensured in a phased manner that these people are not left behind.
Germany is not sending top level politicians
Co-hosts Colombia and the Netherlands are both sending their climate ministers to the talks, and Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro is also expected to attend. State Secretary for the Environment Jochen Flaisbarth will visit Germany.
“It’s a shame that the German government is not represented at the highest level,” Warner said. Germany’s coalition government has not presented a united front on climate policy, he said, meaning Germany likely will not play a major role in shaping the discussion at Santa Marta.
The conference is not being prepared as a dialogue, but as a dialogue. Starting Friday, a wide-ranging group of civil society groups, academics and private sector representatives will talk about possible solutions. Political representatives will participate in the talks in the last two days.
By then, it should be clear what exactly this new movement will be able to achieve.
This article was originally written in German.