‘Alternative COP’ must drive real, cooperative change in climate action

Last week, over 50 countries gathered in Santa Marta, Colombia, for the First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels, co-chaired by Colombia and the Netherlands. This initiative emerged partly from frustration with the slow progress of the United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP) in addressing climate change. The Santa Marta meeting aimed to complement, not replace, the COP process by focusing on practical steps to move away from fossil fuels. A key feature was the involvement of scientists, who will guide countries in phasing out fossil fuels through the newly formed Science Panel for the Global Energy Transition (SPGET). While SPGET will provide actionable advice, it must align with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to maintain global scientific collaboration. This initiative highlights the urgent need for a clear plan to reduce fossil fuel use and mitigate climate change impacts. QUESTION: How might the involvement of scientists in initiatives like SPGET influence the effectiveness of global climate action?