Santa Marta, Colombia
Governments attending the landmark international talks on transitioning away from fossil fuels have been handed a sweeping set of science-backed policy recommendations, with researchers saying the shift to clean energy is immediately achievable.
The proposals, captured in the newly released Santa Marta Action Repertoire (SMART) Summary, were developed by leading global experts contributing to the Academic Dialogue supporting the high-level conference.
The report frames the ongoing global energy crisis as a critical opportunity to fast-track the transition toward cleaner, more secure and socially just energy systems.
According to the report, a successful transition requires governments to move beyond fragmented, market-driven approaches and adopt coordinated, whole-economy strategies anchored in science, equity and long-term planning.
At the heart of the recommendations are 12 “Action Insights” that span economic reform, energy system transformation and international cooperation.
Experts emphasise that dismantling the deep-rooted economic and political dependence on fossil fuels must be the starting point.
The report calls on governments to develop comprehensive national roadmaps to phase out fossil fuels, including clear timelines, financing strategies and mechanisms to overcome entrenched interests. It warns that current energy policies remain misaligned with climate science and risk locking countries into decades of continued emissions.
Protecting workers and communities is also highlighted as a central pillar of the transition. The researchers urge early investment in retraining, skills development and alternative livelihoods to prevent job losses and social resistance. They argue that a fair distribution of the costs and benefits of transition is essential to building political support and long-term stability.
The report further underscores the importance of public communication, noting that while global support for climate action is strong, it is often underestimated and undermined by misinformation. Experts recommend stricter regulation of fossil fuel advertising and stronger action against climate disinformation, alongside expanded environmental education and protection for journalists and activists.
On the supply side, the scientists recommend halting all new fossil fuel infrastructure projects. They argue that approving new oil, gas or coal developments risks locking in emissions for decades and undermining global climate targets. Instead, countries are urged to accelerate electrification, scale up renewable energy and commit to binding methane emission cuts, which could deliver rapid climate benefits.
Economic tools such as carbon pricing and the removal of fossil fuel subsidies are also identified as key levers. The report recommends that revenues from carbon taxes be reinvested to support vulnerable populations and fund the transition, while calling for international coordination to ensure fair competition and avoid carbon leakage.
Financial systems, including central banks, are expected to play a more active role. The report suggests that monetary and financial policies should be aligned to lower the cost of clean energy investments and shield economies from fossil fuel-driven inflation shocks.
At the international level, the document calls for stronger cooperation both within and beyond existing climate frameworks. It proposes the development of a dedicated global legal instrument to govern fossil fuel supply, alongside reforms to international investment rules that currently allow corporations to challenge climate policies through arbitration mechanisms.
The report also places strong emphasis on justice and inclusion, urging governments to integrate indigenous knowledge, community voices and local development priorities into transition planning. It warns that failure to do so risks deepening existing inequalities and undermining trust in public institutions.
In framing the transition, the researchers highlight not only environmental necessity but also human wellbeing. They argue that moving away from fossil fuels would deliver immediate health benefits, improved energy security and long-term economic resilience, describing it as a “moral, economic and public health imperative.”
As negotiations continue in Santa Marta, the SMART report is expected to shape discussions among participating countries, many of which are seeking practical pathways to move beyond fossil fuels while balancing development needs.
