France’s fossil fuel phase-out roadmap and the emergence of a new global climate coalition

Almost a month after the Santa Marta Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels, one outcome continues to stand out: France becoming the first developed country to publish a national roadmap for phasing out fossil fuels.

Presented during the conference, the roadmap outlines plans to phase out coal by 2030, oil by 2045, and fossil gas by 2050, linking climate action with energy security, economic resilience, and long-term planning.

This announcement reflected the broader purpose of the Santa Marta process: moving the global conversation beyond whether the world should transition away from fossil fuels, toward how governments can actually implement it.

The conference brought together 57 countries and the European Union - representing roughly one third of global GDP and fossil fuel supply and demand - to explore practical pathways for transitioning away from coal, oil, and gas.

Three major workstreams emerged from the discussions:

• developing national and regional transition roadmaps,

• redesigning trade and investment systems to support decarbonisation,

• and reforming financial systems that continue to reinforce fossil fuel dependence.

Importantly, the Santa Marta process is intended to complement the UN climate negotiations rather than replace them. Its outcomes are expected to feed into discussions ahead of COP31 in Türkiye.

At a time of geopolitical instability and rising fossil fuel costs, Santa Marta reinforced a message that is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore: transitioning away from fossil fuels is not only a climate imperative, but also a question of economic stability and energy security.

If you want to help accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels, one of the most powerful steps is ending the public subsidies that continue to support coal, oil, and gas. Every year, billions in public money still flow into fossil fuels instead of clean energy, affordable transport, and resilient communities.

Add your voice and sign our petition calling for an end to fossil fuel subsidies!