Introduction
The organizing team of the First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels (https://transitionawayconference.com/), to be held in Santa Marta, Colombia, from April 24-29, 2026, and co-sponsored by the Governments of Colombia and the Netherlands, has opened a consultation for participation in Methodological Stage 1 of the Conference.
Written contributions focus on practical solutions around three thematic pillars:
(i) reducing economic dependence on fossil fuels;
(ii) transforming the supply and demand of fossil fuels; and
(iii) strengthening international cooperation and climate diplomacy.
The contributions from the ARAYARA International Institute are described below:
Proposed Submission – Instituto Internacional Arayara
Barriers and Instruments
A rapid and equitable transition away from fossil fuels remains one of the most critical challenges for climate governance. Despite scientific consensus and international commitments, fossil fuels still account for nearly three-quarters of global greenhouse gas emissions, while governments continue to provide large-scale subsidies to fossil fuel industries.
One of the main barriers to a fossil fuel phase-out is the persistence of political and economic dependence on oil, gas, and coal extraction, particularly in countries where fossil fuel revenues remain central to national development strategies. This dependence creates structural resistance to policies that aim to limit exploration, reduce production, or accelerate the transition to renewable energy systems.
Another key barrier is the lack of comprehensive planning for a just transition, particularly regarding workers, communities, and territories directly affected by fossil fuel production. Without clear policies to guarantee alternative employment, social protection, and regional economic diversification, climate policies risk generating social opposition and reinforcing inequalities.
Additionally, governance gaps and insufficient public participation in energy planning often exclude communities, traditional peoples, and civil society from decision-making processes. A just transition requires transparent, participatory, and multi-level governance structures that ensure democratic control over energy systems.
To overcome these barriers, governments must adopt policies that combine fossil fuel phase-out commitments, subsidy reform, investment in renewable energy, and social protection measures, ensuring that the transition simultaneously addresses climate mitigation, social justice, and economic transformation.
SOLUTION 1
Name of the solution
Phased Fossil Fuel Exploration Ban in Sensitive Ecosystems
Thematic pillar
Pillar 2: Transforming fossil fuel supply and demand
Thematic subtheme
Ending fossil fuel expansion
Level
National / International
Description
Governments should adopt immediate moratoria on new oil and gas exploration in social and/or ecologically sensitive regions, including tropical forests, biodiversity hotspots, and territories of Indigenous and traditional peoples.
Preventing the expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure is one of the most effective measures to align national climate policies with the goals of the Paris Agreement. New exploration projects risk locking countries into decades of additional emissions and delaying the necessary transformation of energy systems.
This policy should be implemented alongside long-term national plans to gradually reduce fossil fuel production while expanding renewable energy capacity. By prioritizing ecosystem and cultural protection and respecting the rights of affected communities, countries can advance climate mitigation while safeguarding biodiversity and territorial rights.
Responsible actors
National governments, environmental authorities, Indigenous and traditional communities, international climate institutions, and civil society organizations.
Instruments required
Short-term exploration moratoria and medium-term exploration ban, environmental licensing reform, protected-area regulations, climate legislation, and international cooperation mechanisms.
Key milestones and timeline
Short term (2026-2031): implement moratoria on new fossil fuel exploration in sensitive areas.
Medium term (2032-2040): implement ban on new fossil fuel exploration in sensitive areas, gradually reduce exploration licenses and align energy planning with decarbonization targets.
Long term (2041-2050): fully phase out fossil fuel extraction in line with global climate goals.
Gender and human rights approach
The solution prioritizes the protection of traditional communities and vulnerable populations disproportionately affected by FF expansion. It respects FPIC, protects environmental defenders, and strengthens environmental licensing through coordination between environmental agencies and cultural heritage institutions.
SOLUTION 2
Name
Just Transition Strategies for Fossil Fuel Workers and Regions
Pillar
Pillar 2: Transforming fossil fuel supply and demand
Subtheme
Managing the socio-economic impacts of fossil fuel phase-out
Level
National
Description
A successful transition away from FF requires policies that protect workers and communities dependent on fossil fuel industries. In coal-dependent regions, JT strategies must also address environmental liabilities created by decades of extraction. In Brazil, the South concentrates some of the largest coal-related environmental damages in LatAm.
Public policies should combine environmental remediation, ecological restoration, and territorial recovery with economic diversification strategies. Governments should establish multistakeholder commissions including unions, social movements, and traditional communities to design binding JT frameworks.
These frameworks should include workforce retraining, social protection, retirement programs, and investment in green industries. Workers must actively participate in planning transition strategies to ensure the shift to clean energy creates decent jobs, strengthens local economies, and reduces GHGs emissions.
Responsible actors
National governments, labor unions, public energy companies, private sector actors, academic institutions, and civil society organizations, including traditional peoples.
Instruments
Just transition funds, environmental remediation programs, labor transition programs, green industrial policy, vocational training programs, and public investment in renewable energy.
Timeline
2026-2031: establish national just transition commissions and frameworks and workforce retraining and retirement programs.
2032-2040: scale up green job creation and renewable energy industries.
2041-2050: complete workforce transition away from fossil fuel sectors.
Gender and HR:
Just transition strategies for FF workers and regions centers the needs and expertise of those who are currently exposed to occupational illnesses and accidents caused by hydrocarbons. The human right to a healthy work environment, as well as to decent labor is strengthen with direct participation from workers in truly JT frameworks.
SOLUTION 3
Name of the solution
Coal Phase-Out and Fossil Subsidy Reform Framework
Thematic pillar
Pillar 2: Transforming fossil fuel supply and demand
Thematic subtheme
From fossil fuel subsidies to clean investment (Pillar 2)
Level
National / Regional
Description of the solution
Governments should adopt national frameworks to phase out coal-fired power generation while eliminating public subsidies that sustain fossil fuel infrastructure.
In countries like Brazil, coal power plants still receive regulatory and financial support despite their high emissions and declining competitiveness compared to renewable energy. These subsidies distort energy markets, delay decarbonization, and divert public resources away from clean energy solutions.
A coal phase-out strategy should establish a legally defined timeline for the closure of coal power plants, prohibit the construction of new coal facilities, and gradually redirect fossil fuel subsidies toward renewable energy deployment, energy efficiency, and just transition programs.
Public resources currently supporting coal generation should instead finance environmental remediation of contaminated mining areas, economic diversification in coal-dependent regions, and workforce transition initiatives.
Responsible actors
National governments and energy ministries design phase-out strategies and subsidy reforms; energy regulators implement regulatory changes; legislatures approve legal frameworks; regional governments coordinate territorial transition plans; civil society and research institutions monitor implementation.
Instruments required
Coal phase-out legislation, fossil fuel subsidy reform, national energy transition strategies, environmental remediation programs, regional economic diversification funds, renewable energy investment programs, and regulatory frameworks prohibiting new coal power plants.
Key milestones and timeline
2026–2031: adopt coal phase-out strategies, prohibit new coal power plants, and begin gradual removal of fossil fuel subsidies.
2032–2040: accelerate coal plant closures, scale up renewable energy deployment, and implement environmental remediation and regional diversification programs.
2041–2050: complete coal phase-out and fully redirect public energy investments toward clean energy systems.
Gender and human rights approach
Coal phase-out policies must protect workers and communities historically dependent on the coal industry. Transition frameworks should include gender-responsive labor policies, social protection, and participatory governance to ensure that workers, women, and local communities help shape economic diversification and environmental restoration strategies.
