Santa Marta, Colombia. The First International Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels (TAFF1), held from April 24 to 29, 2026, in Santa Marta, Colombia, marked a historic turning point in global climate action. Convened by the Governments of Colombia and the Netherlands, the gathering brought together representatives from over 50 countries, alongside scientists, Indigenous leaders, civil society, and faith communities, to shift the global conversation decisively from whether to phase out fossil fuels to how to do so in a just, rapid, and adequately financed manner.
TAFF1 emerged in response to limited progress on fossil fuel phase-out in previous global negotiations, particularly at COP30. In Santa Marta, however, the conference advanced a structured and cooperative international process aimed at accelerating the transition away from coal, oil, and gas, while addressing structural barriers such as fiscal dependence on fossil fuel revenues, debt burdens, and subsidy regimes.
A defining strength of the conference was its inclusive and participatory process. Months of preparatory work – including written submissions, global dialogues, and regional consultations – culminated in stakeholder-led discussions in Santa Marta. Within this process, the Claretian Missionaries, through Proclade International, made substantive contributions based on consultations across parts of the congregation. Three key solutions were submitted, aligned with the conference’s thematic pillars: just economic diversification in fossil fuel–dependent regions, accelerated renewable energy expansion with clear phase-out roadmaps, and a global cooperation framework for a just transition.
Proclade’s engagement was further guided by an extensive set of “talking points” framing the fossil fuel crisis as a moral and spiritual emergency—a sin against creation and against the poor – rooted in an extractivist development model. These reflections called for ecological conversion inspired by Laudato Si’ and Laudate Deum.
The conference unfolded through a dynamic progression of dialogues. Stakeholder-led discussions were followed by a People’s Assembly and a People’s Summit, where Indigenous Peoples, workers, youth, and faith communities articulated shared demands for a just transition. These voices were brought into direct dialogue with ministers and global leaders during the High-Level Segment held on April 28 and 29, reinforcing accountability and transparency in shaping the transition roadmap.
The Catholic Church was visibly represented at the conference by three bishops: Msgr. José Domingo Ulloa, Metropolitan Archbishop of Panama and Vice-President of CELAM; Msgr. Juan Carlos Barreto, Bishop of Soacha and President of Caritas Colombia; and Msgr. José Mario Bacci, Bishop of Santa Marta. Their presence underscored the Church’s growing commitment to climate justice and its moral voice in global ecological debates.
Civil society mobilization remained strong throughout the week. Marches, assemblies, and thematic gatherings created a vibrant space of advocacy and solidarity. Faith-based participation, particularly from the Global South, highlighted that the climate crisis is not merely technical but profoundly moral and spiritual, requiring both personal conversion and structural transformation.
A joint press conference organized by Church networks called for an immediate halt to new fossil fuel exploration, a just and equitable phase-out of existing production, and increased climate finance, including debt-for-climate swaps. Proposals also included the creation of ethical observatories and an interreligious committee to monitor commitments, alongside a renewed call for an “ecclesial decade of action for climate justice.”
Proclade International actively participated in these processes. The Claretian delegation – Rohan Dominic (Proclade International), Diego Gómez Jurado (Proclade ColVen), and Rafael Villalobos (SOMI Central America, representing REMAM) – engaged in key events, including the Meeting of Spiritualities for a Transition Beyond Fossil Fuels, dialogues with social movements, the People’s Summit, and Catholic Action Day. They also joined the People’s March on April 27, standing in solidarity with communities defending land, water, and life.
The outcomes of TAFF1 signal the emergence of a new form of “plurilateral” climate cooperation – an open coalition of willing countries and stakeholders advancing fossil fuel phase-out beyond the limitations of formal negotiations. The process will continue with a second conference in Tuvalu, with links to future global milestones, including COP31 and the next Global Stocktake.
As momentum builds from Santa Marta, the message is clear: the transition away from fossil fuels is no longer a distant aspiration but an unfolding global reality. The challenge now is to ensure that this transition remains just, inclusive, and rooted in care for our common home – an agenda to which the Claretians, through Proclade International, remain firmly committed.
Source: Dominic Rohan, CMF, Claretians at UN
