Background
The webinar, organised by CIDSE together with Caritas Internationalis, the Laudato Si’ Movement, CELAM and Caritas Colombiana on 13 May 2026, aimed to share a summary of the outcomes of the first Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels (TAFF1), as well as to outline the political and moral challenges and opportunities of phasing out fossil fuels. Over 55 participants attended. The webinar also highlighted key advocacy opportunities for Catholic actors and potential allies to advance the Santa Marta Roadmap.
Maria del Pilar from Laudato Si’ Movement, Colombia, presented the geopolitical context that led to the conference in Colombia. Pressure from oil-producing countries, conflicting results at COP28 in Dubai and COP29 in Baku, and an absence of consensus at COP30 in Brazil motivated Colombia, the Netherlands, and 24 other countries to sign the Belém Declaration. Through this declaration, they committed to host the first conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels in Santa Marta in April 2026.
“The geopolitical situation surrounding the war in Iran has caused the price of a barrel of oil to rise significantly. This creates uncertainty regarding price volatility and the economic costs that countries would incur due to their dependence on fossil fuels.”
Maria del Pilar, Laudato Si’ Movement, Colombia
Madeleine Wörner from Misereor provided an overview of the conference in Colombia, emphasising the formation of the Science Panel for the Global Energy Transition (SPGET). She recounted her participation in the Assembly of the Peoples, the main forum for civil society organisations across sectors, and the High-Level Segment. One of the key outcomes is the set-up of the Frontrunner Coalition and its coordination group. This group will work toward the second conference (TAFF2), to be co-organised by Tuvalu and Ireland in 2027.
“The participation process at the Assembly of the Peoples and the High-Level Segment provided an opportunity for more informal discussions about concrete solutions. This is a best practice for new multilateralism, as it allows people and indigenous peoples to talk while policymakers listen”.
Madeleine Wörner, Misereor
Msgr. Juan Carlos Barreto, President of Caritas Colombiana presented the lessons and commitments from the Santa Marta Conference, emphasising the need for a just and equitable energy transition based on the theology of creation and Laudato Si’. Key topics to be addressed during the transition must include defending territories, overcoming ecological illiteracy through education, and local and international advocacy.
“We must continue to strengthen ecclesial networks. This discussion must also be addressed at the regional level within governments, academia, civil society, the Church, and faith communities. This is why our synodal work has been so important.”
Msgr. Juan Carlos Barreto, President of Caritas Colombiana
Gina Castillo from Caritas Internationalis wrapped up the panel discussion and shared her reflections on the Santa Marta conference, highlighting three key points:
- Focus on structural power and power imbalances. She mentioned debt and identified the Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mechanism as a structural barrier to the transition.
- Barriers to transition were not only acknowledged but also challenged.
- Open participation. Although very few people were able to enter the High-Level Segment meeting, Indigenous peoples, Afro-descendant communities, young people, labor unions, and others were present in Santa Marta, and their aspirations were reflected in the Peoples’ declaration.
“At most climate summits, the issue of barriers is raised and then dismissed. Santa Marta was different. There, the barriers were questioned: Who created them? Who maintains them? —and who should take action to eliminate them?”
Gina Castillo, Caritas Internationalis
She concluded her presentation by reflecting on how Catholic organisations can move forward with the Santa Marta process and emphasised the importance of taking a comprehensive approach to systemic transformation in order to build credibility. This involves shifting from simply bearing witness to asking questions and recognising and working with various stakeholders within and outside the Catholic, ecumenical and interfaith communities to foster collaboration and trust.
Next steps
- The Santa Marta conference may be over, but the process continues. The conference final report might be released before the UNFCCC SB64 discussions in June in Bonn. It will be presented during the London Climate Action Week, before being handed over to the UN Secretary-General during the New York Climate Week. This could provide additional opportunities for lobbying and advocacy at different levels.
- CIDSE, together with Caritas Internationalis, Laudato Si’ Movement, CELAM and Caritas Colombiana, are working and preparing strategies to follow up the final report and engage with the Pre Conference in Ireland and the Conference in Tuvalu. On 20 May, Laudato Si’ Movement launched a campaign initiative “Europe, Be Faithful for Our Common Home” supported by over 130 faith organisations, urging the EU to tax massive fossil fuel profits and lead global transition.
- On 8 June, CIDSE will organise an official side event during SB64, entitled “Santa Marta and Beyond”: “Santa Marta and Beyond: Delivering on the TAFF Roadmap: Perspectives from Civil Society and Governments,” at the World Conference Center Bonn (WCCB).
CIDSE Contact: Pedro Guzmán, Energy and Extractivism Policy Officer, guzman(at)cidse.org
Cover illustration: 13 May 2026 webinar visual. Credit: CIDSE