The First-of-Its-Kind International Climate Conference Many Canadians Haven’t Heard of

Over 120 Canadian NGOs call for meaningful participation in the first international fossil fuel transition conference in Colombia

For Immediate Release April 2nd

From April 24 to 29, 45 countries, including Canada, will gather in Santa Marta, Colombia, for the first-ever International Conference on the Just Transition Away from Fossil Fuels. For the first time, a coalition of the willing is coming together to not only set targets, but also to advance concrete pathways to transition away from fossil fuels. 

In March, Canadian civil society mobilized strongly, with over 120 organizations from across the country signing on a joint open letter, urging Canada to demonstrate credible and meaningful leadership at a critical moment for global climate action. On Monday March 30th, the Colombian government announced that Canada, along with 44 other countries, had accepted the invitation. The civil society open-letter was sent to the Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Nature of Canada on April 2nd.

The Santa Marta Conference builds on decades of multilateral climate efforts under the UN climate process and initiatives such as the Fossil Fuel Treaty. The conference follows the momentum of the Belém Declaration at COP30 and aims to help advance international efforts toward a fossil fuel roadmap in the lead-up to COP31.

 As climate impacts intensify globally, all countries are feeling the effects, though those in the Global South continue to bear the most severe and disproportionate burdens. In this context, leadership from high-income countries like Canada is essential, not only to meet international obligations, but to accelerate the global transition, rather than slowing it.

As Prime Minister Mark Carney highlighted at Davos, addressing global challenges increasingly requires “variable geometry.” The Santa Marta Conference reflects this shift, bringing together a coalition of the willing to advance the transition.For Canada, this represents an opportunity to align with emerging international momentum, rather than risk falling behind alongside continued reliance on fossil fuel expansion. 

At a time of heightened geopolitical and economic instability, calls to expand fossil fuel production are gaining traction under the guise of energy security and affordability. Yet global markets are increasingly shifting toward clean energy, and countries less reliant on fossil fuels are proving more resilient to energy price shocks and volatility. The participation of several fossil fuel-producing countries in Santa Marta reflects a growing recognition that this transition is inevitable, and must be actively managed. 

“The question is no longer whether the transition will happen, but how, and who will lead it,” said Elisabeth Fournier, Climate Reality Canada. “Canada has the capacity to play a meaningful role, but this will require aligning its actions with the direction of the global transition.” Elisabeth Fournier, International Engagement Coordinator at Climate Reality Canada, will be on the ground in Santa Marta, contributing to international civil society efforts and closely following Canada’s engagement. 

Canada’s participation comes at a time of increasing scrutiny over its climate and energy policies. Recent decisions by the Carney government have raised concerns about continued reliance on fossil fuel expansion, while the influence of industry on public policy underscores the need for clear and credible leadership.

In contrast, the Santa Marta process offers an opportunity to build the roadmap to end fossil fuel dependency and ensure energy security for all. Discussions will focus on actionable solutions around three key pillars : (i) Reducing economic dependence on fossil fuels, (ii) Transforming fossil fuel supply and demand, and (iii) Strengthening international cooperation and climate diplomacy. As countries begin to define concrete pathways away from fossil fuels, the level of ambition and coherence demonstrated by participating countries will be closely watched.

"Educating people across Canada about the Santa Marta Conference and its coalition of the willing has sparked new hope in our environmental and social justice movements. Together, we are proving that collective action can drive real, meaningful change," said Cathy Orlando, Director of Citizens’ Climate Lobby Canada.

Canadian organizations will continue to monitor developments and contribute to the conversation in the lead-up to and during the conference, and will be following the progress towards the second Conference to be hosted by Tuvalu in the Pacific in 2027.

Stay tuned for further updates and analysis. 

Media Contacts:

Cathy Orlando, National Director

Citizens’ Climate Lobby Canada

cathy@citizensclimate.org | 705-929-4043

Elisabeth Fournier,

Coordinator of Climate Dialogues and International Engagement

Climate Reality Project Canada

efournier@realiteclimatique.ca  | 438-408-6872

#####