Beyond the UNFCCC COPS : A New Climate Coalition puts science at the heart of global action

A New Climate Coalition emerged. From 24 to 30 April 2026, more than 50 countries gathered in Santa Marta, Colombia, for what was described as the first global summit dedicated specifically to phasing out fossil fuels. The meeting was jointly organized by the governments of Colombia and the Netherlands, under the leadership of Gustavo Petro- the president of Columbia. The summit also saw the release of a report outlining twelve high-level actions to support a global transition away from fossil fuels.

The meeting deliberately brought together only those countries willing to advance a clear transition away from oil, gas, and coal. At the heart of this new approach is the creation of the Science Panel for the Global Energy Transition (SPGET), a body designed to provide direct, policy-relevant scientific guidance to participating governments. Among the most notable recommendations are an immediate halt to new fossil fuel infrastructure, the gradual elimination of subsidies that artificially lower the cost of fossil energy, and the rapid scaling of investments in renewable energy systems.

Whether this model will complement or compete with the United Nations system remains to be seen.