全球首屆「淘汰化石燃料會議」：各國如何推動逐步淘汰化石燃料的實際行動？The First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels: How are countries supporting practical action for phasing out fossil fuels?

撰寫者：Belen de la Huerta  吳莉嵐；英翻中：張嘉恩

(English Version Below)

若以目前各國政策與行動來看，預計全球暖化將升至約 2.8°C、遠高於《巴黎協定》的目標下進行，而化石燃料的燃燒為氣候變遷的主要驅動因素，因此，以公平、有序且公正的方式逐步淘汰化石燃料已成為當務之急 [1]。

2026 年 4 月 24 日至 29 日，哥倫比亞與荷蘭在哥倫比亞的聖馬塔（ Santa Marta）共同主辦了第一屆「淘汰化石燃料會議」（ Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels），aka 聖瑪爾塔會議（Santa Marta Conference）。來自 50 多個國家的政府、地方政府、公民社會以及其他 利害關係人的共同參與，以深化民主化的氣候治理 [2]。然而，包括中國、美國和印度等世界主要化石燃料消費國並未出席。可能的原因之一是，與會國家大多侷限於那些已經積極推動脫離化石燃料轉型的國家。

此次國際會議目的在根據科學證據與全球氣候目標，制定減少對石油、天然氣及煤炭依賴的具體行動方案。討論重點圍繞三大主軸： 首先，克服對化石燃料的依賴，接著推動供需結構轉型，再進一步地加強國際合作與氣候外交。

荷蘭氣候與綠色成長部長 Van Veldhoven 表示：「在化石燃料市場日益動盪的時代，現在正是開始擺脫化石燃料的最佳時機。這不僅能降低氣候衝擊，也能強化能源自主性，並促進綠色經濟成長。」[3]

此聖瑪爾塔會議提供了一個早期視角，讓人們得以觀察各國政府、科學家、前線社區與公民社會，如何嘗試將在 COP28 所達成的「逐步轉型脫離化石燃料」承諾，轉化為具體的國際行動。

關鍵問題與可能解方

在會議期間，為了提供各國具體的政策建議，以及協助推動化石燃料的轉型，並且將世界頂尖的氣候、經濟及科技專家匯集，哥倫比亞環境與永續發展部長宣布成立「全球能源轉型科學小組」（Scientific Panel for the Global Energy Transition, SPGET） [4]。然而，部分與會者對於小組的組成方式、預期成果以及是否會納入原住民族與傳統知識體系表示擔憂，認為相關規劃仍不夠明確[5]。

此外，科學家與學者們共同撰寫了一份報告，提出一系列的行動方案與政策建議，以協助降低各國政府對化石燃料的依賴，並逐步邁向低碳經濟。專家們提出了逐步取消化石燃料補貼、防止未來溫室氣體排放，以及建立監督能源轉型進程的標準等替代方案。他們同時建議建立融資機制，降低轉向潔淨能源的成本，並推動法律改革，使各國政府在推動能源轉型時，免於遭受化石燃料企業提出高額訴訟[7]。

公民社會對能源轉型正義的關切

公民團體呼籲改革國際經濟治理結構，透過債務改革、公平課稅，以及拒絕投資人對地主國爭端解決機制（ Investor–State Dispute Settlement, ISDS），來提升各國政府的財政能力才能夠促進對公正轉型的投資。

此外，這些組織也表達對制定《化石燃料條約》（Fossil Fuel Treaty）的支持，並倡議各國建立以人權保障與社會保護為基礎的轉型計畫，確保轉型過程兼顧公平與正義。

那些深受化石燃料開採與氣候變遷影響的代表社區、前線團體及社會運動組織共同發表聲明，呼籲立即推動公平且正義的化石燃料轉型。他們強調，在轉型過程中必須尊重受影響公民社群的集體權利，並應對這些長期承受的損害提供補償與修復措施。

在此聖瑪爾塔會議召開前的數個月，來自世界各地的非洲裔社群代表透過線上與實體方式展開一系列對話。他們分享各自土地與社區的經驗，尋求彼此之間的共識，辨識仍存在的分歧與緊張關係，並共同討論如何推動更完善、更具包容性的能源轉型方案。

《非洲裔社群提案摘要 Summary of the Afro-descendant Communities Proposal》指出：「對化石燃料的依賴並非中立的發展現象，而是數個世紀以來殖民掠奪與奴隸制度的結果。這段歷史決定了哪些人居住在煉油廠、輸油管線及資源開採區附近，也決定了哪些族群不成比例地承受由此帶來的健康與環境衝擊。」[6]

因此，非裔社群認為，能源轉型不單純是技術或經濟議題，更是一項涉及歷史不正義、社會平等與環境正義的課題。唯有正視殖民歷史與長期存在的結構性不平等，並將受影響的聲音納入決策過程，才能真正實現一場公平且具有包容性的能源轉型。

下一步將如何發展？

此次會議所形成的成果與建議，將整理成報告提交給聯合國氣候變遷大會COP30 與 COP31 主席國。這份報告的目的是為公正轉型制定路線圖，並作為未來國際氣候談判的重要參考依據。

下一屆「淘汰化石燃料會議」預計於 2027 年舉行，由南太平洋島國吐瓦魯與愛爾蘭共同主辦，會場在吐瓦魯，而會前籌辦和討論則在愛爾蘭。

TWYCC的想法

Current policies and actions are projected to put the world on track for around 2.8°C of warming, far beyond the goals of the Paris Agreement. With the burning of fossil fuels as the primary driver of climate change, transitioning away from fossil fuels in a just, orderly and equitable manner is urgently needed [1].

Between 24 and 29 April, Colombia and the Netherlands hosted the First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels in Santa Marta, Colombia. This space was created to deepen democratic climate governance through the participation of countries and subnational governments, civil society, and other stakeholders from over 50 countries [2]. However, some of the world’s largest fossil fuel consumers, including China, the United States, and India, were absent. One possible explanation is that participation was largely limited to countries already actively pursuing a transition away from fossil fuels.

This international gathering aimed to build concrete actions to reduce dependence on oil, gas, and coal, in line with scientific evidence and global climate goals. It focused on three pillars: overcoming economic dependence, transforming supply and demand, and promoting international cooperation and climate diplomacy [3]. 

“At a time of increasing volatility in the fossil fuel market, there is no better time to begin the transition away from fossil fuels, reducing climate impact, strengthening energy independence, and boosting green economic growth,” Van Veldhoven, Minister of Climate and Green Growth of the Netherlands [3].

The Santa Marta conference offers an early look at how governments, scientists, frontline communities, and civil society are trying to turn the COP28 commitment to transition away from fossil fuels into practical international action.

Key outcomes and proposals

During this conference, Colombia’s Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development announced the creation of the Scientific Panel for the Global Energy Transition (SPGET).  Aimed at advising nations on concrete actions toward a transition beyond fossil fuels, the panel will bring together some of the world’s leading scientists in climate, economics, and technology [4]. Nevertheless, some participants expressed concern about the lack of clarity regarding its composition and expected outcomes, and whether Indigenous and traditional knowledge would be incorporated into the panel [5].

Additionally, scientists and academics developed a report presenting a range of actions and proposals to help governments overcome their dependence on fossil fuels and transition to low-carbon economies. The experts proposed policy alternatives for phasing out fossil fuel subsidies, preventing future emissions, and establishing standards to monitor the transition. They also suggested financing mechanisms to reduce the costs of shifting to clean energy and legal reforms to protect governments from costly lawsuits by fossil fuel companies [7].

Justice concerns from civil society

NGOs advocated for reforms to international economic governance structures to increase governments' fiscal capacity through debt reform, equitable taxation, and the rejection of investor–state dispute settlement mechanisms in order to enable greater investment in a just transition away from fossil fuels. They also expressed their support for adopting a fossil fuel treaty and to develop national transition plans grounded in human rights and social protection [5].

Representing communities disproportionately affected by fossil fuel extraction and climate change, frontline groups and social movements issued a declaration calling for an immediate and just transition away from fossil fuels. They also emphasized the need to respect collective rights and provide reparations for the harms experienced by affected communities [5]. 

In the months leading up to the meeting in Santa Marta, representatives of Afro-descendant communities from around the world engaged in virtual and in-person dialogues. They shared territorial experiences, identified areas of consensus and tension, and discussed solutions for advancing a better transition. 

“Dependence on fossil fuels is not understood as a neutral fact of development; it is the result of centuries of colonial dispossession and enslavement that determined who lived near refineries, pipelines, and extraction zones, and who disproportionately bore the resulting health and environmental impacts.” Summary of the Afro-descendant Communities Proposal [6].

What comes next?

The outcomes and recommendations generated during the conference will be incorporated into a report to be submitted to the presidencies of COP30 and COP31, the United Nations' global climate change conferences. The report is intended to contribute to the development of a roadmap for advancing a just transition and to inform future international negotiations [7].

The next conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels is expected to take place in 2027, and will be co-hosted by Tuvalu and Ireland. The main venue will be in Tuvalu, while the preparatory discussions will be held in Ireland.

TWYCC's Thoughts & Reflection

For unrecognized countries, peoples, and communities whose identities cannot be neatly categorized within UN labels, or whose demands remain excluded from official processes, this parallel conference feels, in many ways, more responsive to the ecological realities and lived experiences of frontline communities. Its ambition appears more grounded in the urgent transformations that people are already navigating on the frontlines of climate change.

It also made us wonder, if the Taiwanese government and civil society face barriers to participating in UN COP processes due to Taiwan's exclusion from the UN system, could these parallel conferences offer an alternative pathway for meaningful engagement? As spaces that center the voices and demands of island nations and frontline communities, they may provide opportunities for Taiwan not only to contribute to its allied island states, but also to reflect on and take responsibility for the harms associated with our own AI, technology, and industrial sectors, including pollution and resource extraction.

With next year's conference set to take place in Tuvalu, one of Taiwan's diplomatic allies, we believe Taiwan should seize this opportunity to engage, contribute, and build deeper forms of climate solidarity.

References

[1] European Parliamentary Research Service, The First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels. Brussels, Belgium: European Parliament, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2026/786412/ECTI_BRI%282026%29786412_EN.pdf

[2] First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels, "Official conference website." [Online]. Available: https://transitionawayconference.com/

[3] Ministerio de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sostenible, "Inicia la primera conferencia para la transición más allá de los combustibles fósiles," 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.minambiente.gov.co/inicia-la-primera-conferencia-para-la-transicion-mas-alla-de-los-combustibles-fosiles/

[4] Ministerio de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sostenible, "Se crea el primer panel con los mejores científicos del mundo que asesorará la transición energética global," 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.minambiente.gov.co/se-crea-el-primer-panel-con-los-mejores-cientificos-del-mundo-que-asesorara-la-transicion-energetica-global/

[5] Amnesty International, "Santa Marta conference," Apr. 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.amnesty.org/es/latest/news/2026/04/santa-marta-conference/

[6] "Síntesis: Afrodescendientes y Comunidades Negras," 2026. [Online]. Available: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/68dc91a7e566d74a91e8e22d/t/69ee365fb110a143d1c1e95b/1777219168949/Si%CC%81ntesis+-+Afrodescendientes+y+Comunidades+Negras.pdf

[7] Mongabay Latam, "Santa Marta: encuentro internacional entre comunidades y científicos por una transición energética justa," May 2026. [Online]. Available: https://es.mongabay.com/2026/05/santa-marta-encuentro-internacional-comunidades-cientificos-transicion-energetica-justa/