At COP31 on 15 November 2026, a coalition seeking to reduce reliance on coal, oil and gas said its work would continue despite Colombia’s withdrawal. Ireland and Tuvalu are preparing to lead the next phase, while participants are expected to present national transition plans.
A coalition moves forward despite a founding member’s exit
At the United Nations COP31 climate talks in Antalya, Turkey, a group of countries working on a transition away from fossil fuels is preparing to report on its progress even though Colombia has withdrawn. The initiative began at a conference in Santa Marta, Colombia, in April 2026. Representatives from 57 countries took part in the original discussions, which aimed to translate international climate promises into policies that governments could actually put into effect. The withdrawal of a founding champion creates a political test for the initiative. It does not, however, automatically end the work of the other participants.
- The initiative began in Santa Marta in April 2026.
- Colombia has withdrawn after a change of government.
- Ireland and Tuvalu are preparing to lead the next phase.
- A second conference is planned for July 2027.
Ireland and Tuvalu prepare to lead
Ireland and the Pacific island nation of Tuvalu are preparing to take over leadership from Colombia and the Netherlands. Ireland’s Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment confirmed Colombia’s departure to the Associated Press. The department also said preparations for activities in both countries next year were well advanced. A second international conference is planned for July 2027, with Tuvalu expected to host. The proposed handover is important because it shifts responsibility for maintaining the coalition from its original organizers to other governments with different circumstances and interests. Whether that broader leadership can deliver practical outcomes remains an open question.
Why Colombia changed course
Colombia’s decision follows a change in national leadership. President Abelardo de la Espriella, who took office in August, has promised to strengthen oil and gas production and revive exploration. His predecessor, Gustavo Petro, made moving away from fossil fuels a major environmental priority and stopped awarding new oil and gas exploration contracts. Colombia’s environment minister Fabio Arjona has argued that restrictions on gas development contributed to shortages and encouraged some industries to use more polluting alternatives. That argument reflects the current government’s position; it is not a universally accepted assessment of the best energy strategy. Former minister Irene Vélez, who helped champion the initiative, believes its momentum can survive the political change.
From a declaration to national plans
The Santa Marta process was designed to complement, rather than replace, formal United Nations negotiations. Its discussions were voluntary and did not require participating governments to accept binding deadlines. At the 2023 COP28 summit in Dubai, nearly 200 countries agreed to transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems, but without a binding timetable. The current coalition is trying to give that broad commitment practical meaning through national road maps. At COP31, organizers expect to present a progress report and additional country plans. An international climate agreement, a voluntary national plan and a legally enforceable domestic policy are different things; announcing one does not automatically deliver the others.
What delegates are debating at COP31
A proposed negotiating text at COP31 could recognize a global transition road map developed under Brazil’s COP30 presidency. That voluntary document was published on 3 November 2026 and formally presented at the current summit a week later. The Associated Press reports that 23 countries have announced national or regional road maps, or plans to prepare them. Experts disagree about the pace of progress. Some see planning as an essential first step, while others warn that the existing documents often lack detailed timetables and implementation measures. The difference matters because emissions are affected by decisions about energy systems, investment and infrastructure, not simply by the publication of a statement.
Finance and energy security remain obstacles
Countries dependent on coal, oil or gas revenues may need assistance to diversify their economies while maintaining public services. Other governments face the cost of building renewable power systems and the networks needed to support them. These challenges make finance and international cooperation central to the debate. The coalition must also decide how to involve major fossil fuel producers if it wants to influence the world’s energy system beyond the governments already participating. Supporters argue that shared planning can encourage progress; critics question whether a voluntary initiative without firm deadlines can make a measurable difference. The next conference will provide another opportunity to compare promises with actions.
What remains to be confirmed
The precise contents of the coalition’s new progress report and country plans have not yet been confirmed in the consulted report. It also remains uncertain how many governments will adopt enforceable policies, what financial support will be available to vulnerable countries, and whether major producers will join the process. Colombia’s future participation in related meetings is also unclear. These questions should be answered by subsequent official documents and announcements, rather than assumptions about what the coalition will accomplish.
Source: Associated Press
