How to Host a National Fossil Fuel Transition Summit: Lessons from Santa Marta

Overview

In April 2025, the coastal city of Santa Marta, Colombia, became the epicenter of a groundbreaking experiment in international climate diplomacy. For the first time, 57 nations representing one-third of the global economy gathered not to negotiate binding treaties, but to have open, honest conversations about the practical barriers they face in moving away from coal, oil, and gas. Co-hosted by Colombia and the Netherlands, the summit—formally titled the Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels Conference—yielded tangible outcomes: national roadmaps, new tools to address harmful subsidies and carbon-intensive trade, and a commitment to a follow-up summit in Tuvalu in 2027.

This tutorial translates the Santa Marta experience into a replicable guide for any country or coalition seeking to accelerate its own fossil fuel transition. You’ll learn the blueprint—from the initial diplomatic spark to the science-backed sessions, closed-door debates, and final deliverables—along with common pitfalls to avoid. While the summit’s context (war, oil crises, extreme weather) may vary, its core methodology is transferable: combine political will with rigorous science, inclusive stakeholder participation, and a willingness to share vulnerabilities.

Prerequisites

Political Leadership and Bilateral Champions

Before convening a transition summit, secure at least one co-host with strong domestic credibility on climate action. In Santa Marta, Colombia (host) and the Netherlands (co-host) jointly announced their intention during tense COP30 negotiations in Belém, Brazil. The push for a formal “roadmap” language in the COP outcome failed, but the co-hosts pivoted to an informal summit. Key takeaway: Don’t wait for multilateral consensus—act bilaterally.

Scientific Backing

Include a dedicated “science pre-conference” featuring academics who can provide agile, bespoke analysis. Santa Marta hosted 400 global scholars and launched a new science panel specifically for nations seeking accelerated transition. This ensures decisions are evidence-based and not purely political.

Stakeholder Mapping

Identify and invite subnational governments, parliamentarians, indigenous peoples, and civil society. Their perspectives are critical for legitimacy and on-the-ground feasibility.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Secure Co-Hosts and Set a Date

In Santa Marta’s case, Colombia and the Netherlands issued a joint announcement at COP30, pledging to host the summit in April 2025. Choose a location that signals commitment—Santa Marta is a coastal city vulnerable to climate impacts. Set a duration: five days, with a science pre-conference (Days 1-2), a stakeholder day (Day 3), and a high-level ministerial segment (Days 4-5).

Step 2: Design the Science Pre-Conference

Allocate two full days for a “science pre-conference.” Gather at least 400 researchers from diverse fields—energy systems, economics, social science. Charge them with two tasks: (a) launch a permanent science panel that can field rapid-response queries from transitioning nations, and (b) produce an “Action Insights Report” summarizing the latest evidence on subsidy reform, trade barriers, and just transition pathways. Example: The Santa Marta science panel was designed to provide “agile and bespoke analysis” to countries requesting help.

Step 3: Hold an Inclusive Stakeholder Day

On Day 3, open the floor to subnational governments (states, provinces, cities), parliamentarians, indigenous representatives, and civil society. Use breakout sessions to gather grassroots proposals. In Santa Marta, indigenous participation was explicitly highlighted as a success factor, ensuring that transitions respect land rights and traditional knowledge.

Step 4: Conduct Closed-Door Ministerial Sessions

Days 4-5 are the core of the summit. Seat ministers and envoys in small meeting rooms—not large plenaries. The Santa Marta format was praised as “refreshing” and “groundbreaking” because it allowed frank, off-the-record discussions about barriers. Assign each session a specific theme (e.g., “phasing out coal in emerging economies” or “decarbonizing trade-dependent sectors”). No observers, no press—just honest dialogue.

Step 5: Capture Outcomes in a National Roadmap Template

Conclude the closed-door sessions by asking each country to commit to developing a national “roadmap” away from fossil fuels. The roadmaps are not legally binding but serve as voluntary pledges. The host (Colombia) itself presented its own fossil-fuel roadmap during the summit as a model. Additionally, produce tools for addressing harmful subsidies and carbon-intensive trade—these can be shared as policy briefs.

Step 6: Announce the Next Host

To maintain momentum, designate a future host before closing. Santa Marta ended with the announcement that Tuvalu (Pacific island nation) and Ireland will co-host the second summit in 2027. This creates a recurring cycle of accountability and knowledge transfer.

Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Overloading with Agenda Items

Santa Marta succeeded because it had clear, limited objectives: discuss barriers, not negotiate text. Avoid trying to produce a binding agreement—that defeats the purpose of a trust-building forum. Remedy: Stick to informal, off-the-record conversations.

Mistake 2: Ignoring Geopolitical Context

The summit took place against a backdrop of war, oil price volatility, and extreme weather. Pretending these factors don’t affect transition discussions will erode credibility. Remedy: Explicitly acknowledge real-world constraints in pre-session materials and allow ministers to voice their national challenges without judgment.

Mistake 3: Excluding Fossil Fuel Producers

Santa Marta included both producing and consuming nations. Shunning oil-and-gas exporters only creates parallel dialogues. Remedy: Invite diverse economies and create safe spaces for all viewpoints, as Colombia and the Netherlands did.

Mistake 4: Neglecting Follow-Up Mechanisms

A summit without a follow-up plan yields empty promises. Santa Marta established a science panel for continued advisory support, plus a Tuvalu 2027 summit. Remedy: Design a concrete “next steps” document before the closing gavel.

Summary

The Santa Marta summit proved that a focused, informal, science-grounded gathering can produce actionable outcomes even in a fractured geopolitical climate. By following these steps—secure co-hosts, integrate science, include stakeholders, hold small closed-door sessions, produce roadmaps and tools, and schedule a follow-up—any country or coalition can replicate this model. The one-third of the world’s economy that attended now has a blueprint; yours can be next.