Breaking Climate Behemoth: Report from Santa Marta

Description

In April, 2026, ministers from 59 countries gathered alongside civil society stakeholders in Santa Marta, Colombia for the First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels—sidestepping the stalled UN framework in an attempt to rewrite the rules. The conference produced a declaration, principles, and a roadmap committing signatories to production phase-out timelines and supply-side measures—a significant departure from the demand-side focus that has dominated UNFCCC negotiations.

But the gap between diplomatic ambition and substantive accountability for the firms that extract and transport fossil fuels remained largely unaddressed. Excluding major emitters like the United States, this “coalition of the willing”—which represents roughly 30% of the global fossil fuel market—points toward a new model of climate diplomacy—though one whose internal contradictions around representation, justice, and accountability to Indigenous Peoples and frontline communities remain unresolved.

This virtual roundtable brings together three Red Natural History Fellows who were on the ground in Santa Marta. What actually happened behind closed doors—and what happened in the streets? What was put on the table, and what was left out? How did Indigenous Peoples and civil society groups intervene? What new openings and pressure points are emerging? And if this coalition is serious about breaking the fossil fuel system rather than managing it—what would that actually require?

Janene Yazzie (Diné), Indigenous Peoples' Rights and human rights advocate, longtime community organizer from the Navajo Nation, and Director of Global Programmes for The Woven Project

Mohammed Usrof, Palestinian researcher, organiser, and Founder and Executive Director of the Palestinian Institute for Climate Strategy

Joel Wainwright, Professor at Ohio State University and author of "The End: Marx, Darwin, and the Natural History of the Climate Crisis" (2025)

Register Here