Coalition to move away from fossil fuels presses ahead without Colombia, its original champion

Resumen detallado

A coalition of 57 countries seeking to accelerate the global transition away from fossil fuels is pressing ahead despite the withdrawal of founding member Colombia

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A coalition of countries seeking to accelerate the global transition away from fossil fuels is preparing to unveil new national plans at the ongoing United Nations climate talks, known as COP31, in Antalya, Turkey, pressing ahead despite the withdrawal of Colombia, one of its founding members.

The coalition, launched in the Colombian coastal city of Santa Marta in April, is expected to release a progress report this week outlining steps taken by participating countries, including additional national plans to reduce dependence on coal, oil and gas.

The announcement comes as Ireland and the Pacific island nation of Tuvalu prepare to take over leadership of the initiative from Colombia and the Netherlands, with a second international conference planned for July 2027.

A statement from Ireland’s Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment confirmed Colombia’s withdrawal and said preparations were well advanced for a program of events in both countries next year. Neither the Environment Ministry nor the presidential office responded to questions about Colombia’s withdrawal or its plans to attend the next conference.

“This process is bigger than any one country,” the department said, adding that further details would be announced at a formal handover during COP31.

The Santa Marta conference emerged from frustration over the slow pace of international efforts to reduce dependence on coal, oil and gas, the fossil fuels that are the main drivers of global warming.

The initiative brought representatives from 57 countries together to explore ways of turning international commitments to move away from fossil fuels, the main drivers of global warming, into concrete national policies. Unlike formal U.N. climate negotiations, the gathering was designed to encourage open discussions without pressure to reach binding agreements or commit to specific deadlines.

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