April 21, 2026
The first ever international Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels is happening April 24-29 in Santa Marta, Colombia! This was one bright spot in the news from the COP30 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC): the governments of Colombia and the Netherlands announced the first action-oriented conference “of the willing.” I am heartened to read on the conference website that it is “intended to support practical action by those already prepared to move forward” and the “forum is not intended to serve as a negotiating body.” A look at the organizational application process – which invited national and subnational governments, academia, Indigenous Peoples, Peoples of African Descent, peasants, civil society, workers, the private sector, and other key actors at different stages of the transition – gives me further hope. If all goes according to plan, this is a conference that will not be burdened by the presence of fossil fuel lobbyists. There is a holistic approach that invites many sectors of society to name, not only their concerns, but most particularly ideas and proposals for ending our global dependence on fossil fuels.
More exciting news sees the launch of a new network, Faiths for a Fossil Free Future. This network, which KAIROS, Laudato Si’ Movement and other For the Love of Creation members are part of, will be active at the Transitioning Away Conference. Faiths for a Fossil Free Future has already held several webinars on collective faithful action for fossil fuel phase-out and will host further conversations in person in Colombia. The message is strong on the website: “Our religions share clear moral commitments: justice for the poor, reverence for the planet, and accountability for the wealthy and powerful…. Science is clear: we must rapidly phase out fossil fuels and upscale renewable energy to avoid staggering levels of suffering and loss.”
You can be part of this important work right where you are – one conversation at a time. Conversation is the strategy and call in advance of the Santa Marta conference and it will be the call afterwards as well. This global network intends to continue its work well beyond the Transitioning Away Conference.
If you want to make the news you try to gather a massive march, but if you want to move people towards long-term action, you start with a conversation; many conversations.
This is just what For the Love of Creation has been promoting since its inception with Faithful Climate Conversations. Our latest offering is a conversation guide that can be adapted to multiple ecological topics and is well suited to bring congregations and faith communities together to discuss fossil fuel phase out.
Five pilot conversations have been held so far: online, in-person, English, French and a local congregation. If you would like a copy of this new pilot conversation guide or have questions, please fill out this Request Form. Let us support you to host your own climate conversation.
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To track faith and climate justice at the Santa Marta Conference, follow these social media accounts:
@fossilfueltreaty on Instagram
Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative on Facebook