France becomes the first major economy to outline specific deadlines for phasing out coal, oil, and gas, signalling a shift towards concrete policies in the global effort to end fossil fuel dependence.
France has become the first major economy to publish a formal timetable for winding down fossil fuels for energy use, setting out deadlines of coal by 2030, oil by 2045 and gas by 2050, according to reporting on the roadmap unveiled at a conference in Santa Marta, Colombia. The move gives the broad COP28 pledge to “transition away from fossil fuels” a more concrete national framework than any previous large-economy announcement.
The plan was presented at the first global conference devoted solely to fossil-fuel exit, a meeting co-hosted by Colombia and the Netherlands that brought together more than 50 countries and the European Union. Dutch climate minister Stientje van Veldhoven said at the summit that moving away from fossil fuels was necessary not only for climate reasons but also for energy independence and security, an argument that has gained force as geopolitical tensions have driven up oil prices.
Santa Marta was chosen for more than symbolism. The Colombian port city sits in a region closely tied to the country’s fossil-fuel economy, and the conference took place against a backdrop of renewed concern over supply shocks and the exposure of import-dependent economies to price volatility. According to organisers and conference summaries, the meeting is intended to turn what has so far been a largely voluntary political commitment into a more durable international framework, with a second conference already planned for early 2027.
France’s roadmap is notable for its pragmatism as well as its ambition. The 2050 gas deadline applies to energy use, not to non-energy industrial applications such as petrochemicals, plastics and asphalt, where substitution is more complex. That distinction matters for heavy industry, which continues to rely on fossil-derived feedstocks even as power systems decarbonise.
Colombia also used the summit to set out its own transition plan, which is more demanding because of its higher dependence on fossil fuels. The country says it aims to cut primary fossil-energy demand by 90% by 2050 versus a 2026 baseline, achieve a fully renewable electricity mix and electrify road and public transport. Colombian officials have projected net economic savings of $280bn between 2026 and 2050, although the shift would also force a major reshaping of export revenues, given the importance of oil and coal.
For industrial decarbonisation investors, the significance of Santa Marta lies less in any single deadline than in the direction of travel. The conference suggests fossil-fuel exit is moving from a climate aspiration to a policy architecture that could eventually influence capital allocation, infrastructure planning and asset values across power, transport and hard-to-abate sectors. With another summit due in 2027 and a target of wider country participation by COP31 in Turkey later this year, the pressure on governments and companies to convert transition language into investment-grade plans is likely to intensify.
- https://www.riotimesonline.com/france-fossil-fuel-exit-2050-colombia-santa-marta-april-2026/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.riotimesonline.com/france-fossil-fuel-exit-2050-colombia-santa-marta-april-2026/ – France has unveiled its fossil fuel exit roadmap, becoming the first major global economy to set formal phase-out deadlines: coal by 2030, oil by 2045, and gas by 2050 for energy purposes. This announcement was made at the First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels in Santa Marta, Colombia, co-hosted by Colombia and the Netherlands. The conference, held from April 28-29, 2026, was the first-ever global summit explicitly dedicated to fossil-fuel exit, with over 50 countries plus the EU represented. The initiative aims to elevate fossil-fuel exit from voluntary commitment to an international framework, with a goal of 145+ country participation by COP31 in Turkey in November 2026.
- https://www.government.nl/latest/news/2026/04/29/transitioning-away-from-fossil-fuels-conference-concludes-with-5-key-deliverables – The First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels, co-hosted by Colombia and the Netherlands in Santa Marta, concluded with five key deliverables. These include the announcement of a second conference to take place in early 2027, co-hosted by Ireland and Vanuatu, and the creation of a coordination group to ensure continuity toward future conferences and strengthen links between initiatives. ([government.nl](https://www.government.nl/latest/news/2026/04/29/transitioning-away-from-fossil-fuels-conference-concludes-with-5-key-deliverables?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.iisd.org/events/inside-first-conference-transitioning-away-from-fossil-fuels – The First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels, held in Santa Marta, Colombia, from April 24-29, 2026, brought together governments from 60 countries to advance the transition away from fossil fuels. Hosted by Colombia and the Netherlands, the conference focused on turning global pledges into credible transition plans, navigating fiscal and debt pressures associated with shifting energy systems, and reforming rules that perpetuate fossil fuel dependence. ([iisd.org](https://www.iisd.org/events/inside-first-conference-transitioning-away-fossil-fuels?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.ciel.org/news/santa-marta-fossil-fuel-phaseout/ – The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) highlighted the First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels in Santa Marta, Colombia, as a historic shift towards coordinated action on a managed and equitable phaseout of all fossil fuels. The conference, co-hosted by Colombia and the Netherlands, was attended by over fifty countries, scientists, communities, and organizations, emphasizing the legal obligation and urgent necessity to transition away from fossil fuels. ([ciel.org](https://www.ciel.org/news/santa-marta-fossil-fuel-phaseout/?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.lemonde.fr/en/environment/article/2026/04/27/colombia-summit-brings-together-50-countries-to-discuss-phasing-out-fossil-fuels_6752886_114.html – The first international conference solely focused on the phase-out of fossil fuels is underway in Santa Marta, Colombia, co-hosted with the Netherlands from April 24–29, 2026. The summit includes 50 countries—such as France, Canada, the UK, Brazil, and Norway—representing one-third of global energy consumption and one-fifth of production. The initiative aims to address the lack of consensus at COP30 in Brazil in 2025 on setting a fossil fuel phaseout roadmap. ([lemonde.fr](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/environment/article/2026/04/27/colombia-summit-brings-together-50-countries-to-discuss-phasing-out-fossil-fuels_6752886_114.html?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2026-04-26/colombia-hosts-talks-on-exiting-fossil-fuels-as-global-energy-crisis-deepens – More than 50 countries, including oil producers and major consumers, are converging in Colombia for a fossil-fuel exit conference. The gathering reflects mounting frustration after countries agreed at COP28 to transition away from fossil fuels but made little progress. The conference site sits near a major Colombian fuel-storage terminal, highlighting the tension between climate ambitions and fossil-fuel dependency. ([latimes.com](https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2026-04-26/colombia-hosts-talks-on-exiting-fossil-fuels-as-global-energy-crisis-deepens?utm_source=openai))
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The article reports on France’s announcement at the Santa Marta conference on April 28, 2026, detailing its plan to phase out fossil fuels by 2050. This is the earliest known publication of this information, indicating high freshness. The content does not appear to be recycled or republished from other sources, and there are no discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The direct quote from Benoît Faraco, France’s special envoy for climate negotiations, stating, “We have a clear objective to end fossil fuels with clear dates: 2030 for coal, 2045 for oil and 2050 for gas,” is consistent across multiple reputable sources, including Bloomberg. This consistency supports the authenticity of the quotes.
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The article originates from The Rio Times, a niche publication. While it is not a major news organisation, it provides detailed coverage of the event. The information aligns with reports from other reputable sources, such as Bloomberg, indicating a reasonable level of reliability. However, the niche nature of the publication suggests a need for cautious interpretation.
Plausibility check
Score:
10
Notes:
The claims made in the article are plausible and align with France’s known climate policies and recent announcements. The roadmap to phase out coal by 2030, oil by 2045, and gas by 2050 is consistent with France’s previous commitments and the context of the Santa Marta conference. There are no indications of implausibility or unsupported claims.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The article provides a timely and accurate report on France’s fossil fuel phase-out plan announced at the Santa Marta conference. The information is consistent with reports from other reputable sources, and the quotes are verifiable. The source, while niche, aligns with other independent reports, and there are no significant concerns regarding the content’s reliability or plausibility.
