APRIL 24-29 SANTA MARTA, COLOMBIA
THE FIRST CONFERENCE ON TRANSITIONING AWAY FROM FOSSIL
FUELS
The First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels served as a strategic space for
dialogue among a broad range of stakeholders — including government representatives, experts,
rural and Indigenous Peoples, Afro-descendant communities, civil society, climate advocates, industry
leaders, and academia — to explore viable, fair, and equitable pathways for transitioning to
sustainable, diversified, and accessible energy. Designed to foster robust and structural
transformations, the summit aims to facilitate a planned, just, and sustainable phase-out of fossil
fuels and address the need for a structural shift in our socioeconomic model.
The decision to hold this first global conference in Colombia was made at a Senior Officials meeting
of the countries participating in the Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative in June 2025 in Bonn. The landmark
convening will take place on 24-29 April 2026, in the port city of Santa Marta, Colombia, which plays
a significant role in coal exports. Pacific nations have committed to convening a subsequent meeting
in the region to advance the outcomes. The conference will advance international cooperation on
transitioning away from fossil fuel extraction — reinforcing the objectives of the Paris Agreement
and aligning with the recent Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice, which confirmed
that States have a legal obligation to protect the climate, including by addressing fossil fuel
production, licensing and subsidies. https://www.fossilfueltreaty.org/conference
The Colombian Government is undertaking widespread consultations with diverse stakeholders.
Below is the submission made by TPNS as part of this process.
Official Website https://transitionawayconference.com/
TPNS SUBMISSION TO SANTA MARTA CONFERENCE
Q: Which barriers are hindering the implementation of the transition away from fossil fuels across
the Conference’s three thematic pillars?
THE WAR MACHINE & ARMS INDUSTRY.
Fossil fuels are the lifeblood of the modern military and will remain so well beyond 2050.
Wars and rampant militarism are major contributors to Pillar 1, energy insecurity (the “energy
shock” of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine costed the EU+UK $1.8 trillion from 2022 to 2025); Pillar 2, the
rush for military-relevant critical minerals extraction; Pillar 3, the undermining of international co-
operation and multilateralism.
Wars destroy societies. They pollute the environment. Post-conflict reconstruction is among the
most carbon intensive activities. To rebuild Gaza alone would emit around 30m tCO2e.
Despite the existential threat of the climate emergency, the world has been plunged into an arms
race by a small number of nations. This is done in full knowledge that military spending ($2.7tr
globally p.a.) and military emissions positively correlate. This means the more spent on gas-guzzling
big-ticket military equipment, the more military emissions. Neither fuel switching nor carbon-free
are realistic goals for current and next-generation military jets, tanks, warships; bombs, missiles and
weapon systems.
The global top 20 military spenders alone are estimated to be responsible for at least 10 billion
tCO2e of military-related emissions during the first quarter of the 21th century
(https://transformdefence.org/publication/climate-reparations-for-military-emissions). Military
emissions will continue to jeopardise the Net-Zero goal. For example, the F-35 consumes around
5,500 litres of jet fuel per flight hour and is expected to be in full service beyond 2050.
With all of society being required to decarbonise and transition away from the fossil-fuel based
economy, the military-oil-industrial complex must not remain a notable exception. Its omission will
be a major obstacle to the 100% renewable future. At the very moment we need all attention on the
immediate transition away from fossil fuels and the implementation of a Fossil Fuel Treaty, we are
seeing more oil-fuelled conflicts than at any time since WW2. In peacetime and in war, high military-
spending, fossil-fuel dependent militaries are at the heart of the climate crisis.
What concrete solutions can advance strengthening international cooperation and climate
diplomacy.
SOLUTION: DECARBONISATION OF THE MILITARY-OIL-INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
The ‘decarbonisation of the military-oil-industrial complex’ addresses critical gaps in UNFCCC
reporting alongside ways in which nations can advance international co-operation by reversing
runaway military spending to support the ‘progressive transition away from fossil fuels in order to
create sustainable societies and economies.’ Via:
o All nations to compulsory submit comprehensive GHG military emissions reporting to
IPCC/UNFCCC.
o All nations to include their militaries and arms industries in their NDCs emission-reduction
plans.
o Article 2.1.(c) of the Paris Agreement obliges states to “making finance flows consistent with
a pathway towards low greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilient development”. High
military spending undermines this and should be progressively reduced to less than 1% of
GDP.
o Military spending accelerates climate crisis. We ask the Santa Marta Conference create a
Working Group to investigate routes by which nations can agree on the universal, equitable
redirection of military spending to support Global Just Transition Fund.
o The Fossil Fuel Treaty to coordinate phasing out of military fossil fuel consumption.
Q: Which actors are responsible for the effective implementation of the proposed solution?
o The UNFCCC – emissions related.
o UN and national governments – military spending related.
o Civil society organisations, academics, experts should be consulted in any process initiated
by a State.
Q: What instruments are required to ensure the effective implementation of the solution?
o IPCC/UNFCCC to require military emissions reporting and military decarbonisation plans
from member states as compulsory.
o The Fossil Fuel Treaty.
o Military decarbonisation as part of UNSC mandate, enabling people/planet centred,
cooperative, climate-emergency-appropriate policies.
o Article 2.1.(c) of the Paris Agreement upheld. Military spending to be progressively
reduced.
Q: Please list the main milestones needed to effectively implement your proposed solution in the
short term (2026–2031), medium term (2032–2040), and long term (2041–2050).
o SHORT TERM (2026–2031) All nations to compulsory submit comprehensive GHG military
emissions reporting to IPCC/UNFCCC
o MEDIUM TERM (2032–2040) All nations to include their militaries and military technology
industries in their NDC GHG emission reduction plans and targets. Achieve momentum for
routes by which to reverse military spending and invest in all aspects of just transition.
o LONG TERM (2041–2050) Fully decarbonised military and supply chain. Major reversal of
military spending trajectory. New fit-for-purpose UNSC vision for human safety in the
climate emergency
Q: How does the proposed solution incorporate a gender-responsive and human-rights-based
approach?
‘Women and girls are being killed in record numbers, shut out of peace tables, and left unprotected
as wars multiply’. Sima Sami Bahous, Executive Director UN Women. Military decarbonisation means
an end to wars for oil, use of fossil-fuel reliant weapons and reversal of wasted trillions on war
machines, hopefully bringing (much) improved conditions for gender-responsive, human-rights-
based approaches.