Santa Marta, Colombia — A broad alliance of civil society organisations, Indigenous groups, labour representatives, and climate activists has unveiled a sweeping global declaration calling for a fast and equitable transition away from fossil fuels, as governments prepare for a landmark international conference on energy transition.

The initiative, titled the People’s Declaration for a Rapid, Equitable, and Just Transition for a Fossil-Free Future, was launched in the Colombian port city of Santa Marta ahead of the First International Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels, co-hosted by Colombia and the Netherlands.

Framed as a unified roadmap for climate justice, the declaration brings together demands from communities across the Global South and beyond, asserting that global climate efforts must move from pledges to implementation. It also places strong emphasis on human rights, energy democracy and the need to address deep-rooted inequalities shaping the climate crisis.

From negotiation to implementation

The declaration emerges at a pivotal moment in global climate diplomacy, as more than 50 countries gather in Santa Marta to discuss pathways to phase out fossil fuels. While previous negotiations have focused heavily on setting targets, activists say the time has come for concrete, enforceable action.

“The eyes of the world are on Santa Marta,” said Lidy Nacpil of the Asian Peoples’ Movement on Debt and Development. She stressed that communities most affected by climate change are demanding not just commitments, but real financial support and accountability.

At the heart of the declaration is a call for governments to adopt binding mechanisms to phase out fossil fuels in a way that is both rapid and fair. The coalition argues that voluntary pledges have proven insufficient, particularly for countries facing economic and structural barriers to transition.

Linking climate crisis to global inequality

A central theme of the declaration is the connection between climate change and broader systems of inequality. It characterises the crisis as rooted in historical patterns of exploitation, including colonialism and extractive economic models, and calls on wealthier nations to recognise their “ecological debt” to the Global South.

Tasneem Essop of Climate Action Network International said countries in the Global South are increasingly rejecting approaches that deepen economic dependence.

She urged governments to demonstrate political will by adopting binding commitments and providing financial resources that do not add to existing debt burdens.

The declaration calls for large-scale, grant-based climate finance from developed countries, framed as reparations for the historical emissions that have driven global warming.

A blueprint for a just transition

The document outlines 15 guiding principles for what it describes as a “just transition” to a fossil-free future. These principles span a wide range of issues, from energy access and governance to biodiversity protection and economic reform.

Among its core proposals are a complete phase-out of fossil fuels aligned with limiting global warming to 1.5°C, and a transition to 100% renewable energy systems that are accessible and affordable for all.

The declaration also emphasises the importance of community ownership of energy systems, arguing that decisions about energy production and distribution should be made democratically rather than driven by corporate interests.

Other priorities include protecting workers and vulnerable groups, ensuring fair access to resources such as land and water, and promoting sustainable management of minerals used in clean energy technologies.

Rejecting ‘false solutions’

Activists behind the declaration were particularly critical of what they describe as “false solutions” to the climate crisis. These include technologies and policies such as carbon capture, large-scale bioenergy, and carbon markets, which they argue can delay meaningful emissions reductions or create new environmental and social risks.

Amarilys Llanos of the Alianza Colombia Libre de Fracking said the declaration’s principles provide a clear pathway for governments to follow, urging them to translate these ideas into concrete policy measures that respect local communities and ecosystems.

The coalition also links climate action to broader goals of peace and justice, highlighting the role of militarism and conflict in driving emissions and environmental harm.

Growing global mobilisation

The launch of the declaration is part of a wider mobilisation effort under the banner “Fossil Free Rising,” which aims to coordinate global actions demanding stronger political commitments to climate justice.

Organisers say the movement will continue to build pressure on governments during and beyond the Santa Marta conference, particularly as countries face increasing scrutiny over their climate commitments.

They also point to recent legal developments, including an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice, which they say reinforces the obligation of states to take meaningful climate action.

Looking ahead

As negotiations continue in Santa Marta, the declaration is likely to add momentum to calls for more ambitious and equitable climate policies. Whether governments will respond with concrete commitments remains uncertain, but the message from civil society is clear: incremental progress is no longer enough.

For many communities on the front lines of climate change, the stakes are existential. The declaration reflects a growing insistence that climate solutions must not only reduce emissions but also address the social and economic injustices that underpin the crisis.