A groundbreaking summit in Colombia has kicked off with 57 nations pledging to develop concrete roadmaps for phasing out fossil fuels, yet the absence of China and the United States—the world's two largest emitters—threatens to undermine its global significance.

The conference, part of a new series outside the traditional COP framework, aims to accelerate the transition away from coal, oil, and gas. Organizers say the meeting addresses a critical gap as formal UN climate talks have stalled in recent years.

Background

The COP climate process, while historically successful, has struggled to deliver binding commitments on fossil fuel phase-out. The 2023 COP28 in Dubai ended with a watered-down agreement that merely called for “transitioning away” from fossil fuels, angering many nations and activists.

In response, a coalition of 57 countries—including small island states, European nations, and several Latin American countries—organized this separate summit in Bogotá, Colombia. Its goal: to produce national roadmaps with specific timelines and financing mechanisms to end fossil fuel dependence by 2040.

“The COP process is moving too slowly for those on the front lines of climate change,” said Dr. Ana María Rodríguez, a climate policy expert at the University of the Andes and an observer at the summit. “This new effort acknowledges that we cannot wait for consensus among 200 nations. We need a smaller, more ambitious group to lead the way.”

What This Means

The summit’s immediate impact is symbolic: it signals a fracture in the global climate governance structure. By bypassing the UN framework, the participating nations are effectively saying that the current system is insufficient to meet the Paris Agreement goals.

However, without China and the United States, which together account for nearly 40% of global CO₂ emissions, the roadmaps developed here will lack the world’s most critical actors. “This is a commendable step, but it remains a partial step,” noted James Chen, a senior fellow at the Center for Global Energy Policy in Washington. “Any realistic plan to end the fossil fuel era must include Beijing and Washington. Their absence here is a glaring weakness.”

The summit is also notable for its inclusion of fossil-fuel-producing nations like Colombia and Indonesia, which have committed to transitioning their economies. Delegates are expected to produce a joint declaration by Friday, outlining specific targets for renewable energy deployment and a global fund for just transitions.

Key Takeaways from the Summit

• 57 nations participating, representing about 20% of global emissions.
• China and the US absent, citing scheduling conflicts and differing approaches to climate diplomacy.
• Roadmaps to be published by mid-2025, with an emphasis on financing for developing countries.

Environmental groups have praised the initiative but warned that without binding enforcement, the roadmaps may become empty promises. “We have seen too many climate pledges dissolved into thin air,” said María Fernanda Espinosa, a former Ecuadorian diplomat and climate activist. “The world is watching to see if this summit can deliver real action, not just another document.”

The summit runs through Saturday, and observers expect intense negotiations over the wording of the final communiqué. The outcome could either reinforce the momentum for a fossil fuel phase-out or further fragment the global climate movement.

As the meeting proceeds, officials from Colombia’s environment ministry are already planning a follow-up event for 2025, hoping to draw in more major emitters. “We are building a bridge, not a wall,” said Colombia’s Environment Minister, Susana Muhamad. “The door remains open for China and the United States to join us whenever they are ready.”