Fossil-fuel transition coalition advances at COP31 in Antalya despite Colombia's withdrawal

A coalition of countries seeking to speed the global shift away from fossil fuels is preparing to unveil new national plans at the UN climate talks, COP31, in Antalya, Turkey, even though founding member Colombia has withdrawn. The group is expected to release a progress report this week, and Ireland and Tuvalu are set to take over its leadership.

The coalition was launched in the Colombian coastal city of Santa Marta in April. The report is expected to outline steps participating countries have taken, including additional national plans to reduce dependence on coal, oil and gas. Ireland and the Pacific island nation of Tuvalu will succeed Colombia and the Netherlands as leaders, and a second international conference is planned for July 2027. Ireland's Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment confirmed Colombia's withdrawal and said preparations were well advanced for events in both countries next year. Neither Colombia's Environment Ministry nor its presidential office responded to questions about the withdrawal or whether Colombia will attend the next conference. “This process is bigger than any one country,” the department said, adding that further details would come at a formal handover during COP31.

Right-leaning coverage, seen in Newsmax, carries the same headline and opening as The Hindu, framing the story around the coalition pressing on without Colombia, its original champion. In the material available, the excerpt stops after the opening lines, so the Irish department's statement and Colombia's silence are not visible there. The alternative-side Hindu article adds those details, along with the leadership handover. Left-leaning outlets had not reported this story at the time of writing, while the other two sides had, and those covering it focus on the coalition's continuation and Colombia's exit.