Scientists Launch Global Panel to Guide Fossil Fuel Exit at Santa Marta Talks

Overview

• The Santa Marta conference, which began Friday, unveiled the Scientific Panel for the Global Energy Transition to produce evidence-based advice for national fossil fuel exit plans.
• The off-UN forum brings together roughly 50 to 60 countries including Brazil, Australia, Canada and several in Europe, while the United States, China, Saudi Arabia and Russia are not taking part.
• Organizers say the meeting will not issue binding decisions and will instead deliver a non-binding report that Brazil plans to use in its global transition roadmap ahead of COP31 in November.
• Brazil is participating without a finalized national roadmap, with officials citing ongoing work after delays, and its COP30 team saying it is in listening mode to shape the document.
• Debates center on a just exit for oil- and gas-dependent economies, changes to energy supply and demand, and legal barriers such as investor–state cases that let firms sue governments, with Colombia moving to withdraw from that system.