A new panel of global experts has been launched to provide scientific input for countries aiming to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels and manage risks from high oil prices, geopolitical conflict, and extreme weather. The initiative was announced on the opening day of a climate action meeting in Santa Marta, Colombia, where hosts set out a draft roadmap for their own energy transition.
The panel, modelled partly on the UK's climate change committee, includes milestones for eliminating fossil fuels in line with scenarios limiting global heating to 1.5°C. It will be chaired by Vera Songwe, Ottmar Edenhofer, and Gilberto M Jannuzzi. Jannuzzi said the main challenge is disseminating information and securing financing, not technical feasibility.
The formation follows calls by the president of COP30 in Belém for roadmaps to accelerate the transition. André Aranha Corrêa do Lago encouraged governments to use the panel's analyses to strengthen national contributions. Colombian and Dutch hosts expressed support for the initiative, convened by Johan Rockström and Carlos Nobre.
Rockström said the presence of a third of the world's countries at Santa Marta helps keep the transition on the global agenda. The 54 attending nations include major fossil fuel producers like Nigeria, Mexico, Brazil, and Angola. Colombia's draft roadmap suggests a 90% reduction in fossil fuel use by 2050 could yield $280bn in economic benefits by 2040, though upfront investment is needed.
Prof Piers Forster of the University of Leeds called the roadmap exciting, noting it shows phasing out petrol and diesel and building renewables are cost-effective. The meeting runs from 24-29 April, bringing together over 50 nations and 2,800 civil society representatives.
