Organise your National “Santa Marta Conference”

A methodological guide for national networks and coalitions

Why organize a national Santa Marta Conference?

The First International Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels in Santa Marta, Colombia is a historic international meeting taking place in late April to increase international cooperation on the phase out of fossil fuels. For years, the global alliance of governments and civil society organisations participating in the Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative have called for dedicated international negotiations and processes to tackle the biggest threat of our time — fossil fuels, and this conference marks a significant step toward stronger multilateral efforts on this matter. 

While the summit in Santa Marta will bring together ministers, government officials, experts, NGO and civil society leaders, we know that diplomatic processes only succeed when they are politically supported, socially legitimate, and, most of all, anchored in real constituencies. That is why hundreds of communities, organisers and organisations around the world are considering organising satellite conferences in their own regions this April. Organising your own “National Santa Marta Conference” may allow you to:

  • Bring the global fossil fuel phase out conversation into your country

  • Encourage your government to join the bloc of countries seeking to negotiate a Fossil Fuel Treaty

  • Align national actors around a fossil fuel phaseout roadmap

  • Build cross-sector alliances

  • Scale powerful communications showing support for a global plan to phase out fossil fuels

  • Prepare coordinated demands ahead of the conference, and influence its outcomes through submissions, virtual dialogues, stakeholder forums and the People’s Summit

What is a “National Santa Marta Conference”?

It is a one-day or multi-day national convening that:


It can be a public conference, a smaller policy forum, a coalition/organisations assembly, a high-level roundtable, even a large civil society summit… Scale depends on your capacity. Clarity of purpose and quality of dialogue matter more than size.

CORE OBJECTIVES: SETTING YOUR PRIMARY GOAL

Depending on your context, it could be one, or two, or even three of those. 

You may need further resources to help you think through and develop the most appropriate strategy. Check out our other resources to provide more information and context.

Why Organise for Santa Marta?
Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative's Reports & Research

Who should be involved?

Your national Santa Marta conference could bring together:

  • Indigenous peoples 

  • Subnational governments including local councils and mayors 

  • Civil society groups, e.g: Climate NGOs, environmental justice groups, youth and student movements, women and feminist groups, faith-based organizations, peace networks… 

  • Labor & economic actor: Trade unions, worker transition advocates, energy sector representatives, where possible and relevant, small business associations when they are involved in renewable energy development, or able to participate in a joint effort for transition.

  • Academics and policy experts

  • Institutional actors former or current ministers or decision-makers, local government and subnational representatives or parliamentarians 

  • Cultural artists, such as musicians, writers, and public intellectuals, can also make an important contribution to storytelling and emotional engagement by a wider audience.

How to structure the conference

Sample Conference Structure & Agenda for a 1-day format. This is just one possibility, you can organize things very differently, without workshops or with more of them, including artistic performances, etc.

    • the overview of the international process

    • the production gap and supply-side reality

    • the fossil fuels and war/conflict connections

    • the relationship with your national political context

    • Current production levels

    • Planned expansion projects

    • Subsidies and public finance

    • Economic dependency

    • Social needs and workers’ perspectives

    • Regional transition planning

    • Public investment pathways

    • Renewable energy alternatives

    • Briefing on the Fossil Fuel Treaty proposal and discussion on local campaigns

    • Discussion on equitable phase out timelines, and the required timelines

    • Briefing on the International Court of Justice’s Advisory Opinion on the legal obligations of states in regards to climate justice and its ramifications in your region

  • Breakout groups are often more appropriate to strategic and in-depth discussions. You can hold breakout groups if your space allows it.

    Possible themes include:

    • Peace & geopolitical implications

    • Just transition finance

    • Local government roles

    • Youth mobilization strategy

    • Indigenous communities’ concerns and demands

    • A short declaration with concrete demands

    • A commitment to mobilize before Santa Marta

    • A timeline of next steps

  • If you think it's possible and relevant in the country/city/location where you're holding your conference, a great way to conclude could be to bring people together into a public action. 

    This can be used to challenge your government if it is particularly reluctant to commit, but it can also be used to highlight the proposals that the conference has brought to light and express support for the Santa Marta momentum.

  • Your conference could produce one of these outputs :

    • A national Santa Marta Declaration

    • A public letter to government

    • The launch or launch path for a coalition

    • A national FF phase out roadmap outline

    • The plan for a joint day of action…

    Again, your deliverables can be one or several, or even something else!

HOW YOU CAN PREPARE FOR HOSTING A “NATIONAL SANTA MARTA CONFERNECE”

  • There are political considerations to assess, and balance, depending on each context: 

    • Do we want government participation?

    • Do we keep it civil society-led?

    • Do we want a public or an invite-only event?

    • Do we invite media?

    • Do we want the economic sector in?

    There is no single model. In some contexts, public pressure is strategic. In others, diplomatic engagement works better.

  • Ideally:

    • Hold your national conference 2–6 weeks before Santa Marta.

    • Release your outputs publicly: on social medias, in the local press, on the organisations’ websites

    • Follow up with implementation/next steps meetings

    • Coordinate with other countries in your region, if/when possible.

  • Before organizing, you should assess:

    • Is fossil fuel production politically sensitive? 

    • Are there upcoming elections? In that case, political parties/movements may will to attend and use your conference as a platform to campaign. Make sure your space remains unaligned, and impartial. 

    • Are unions divided? In that case, you may want to give space to each position, in different panels. 

    • Is there risk of repression ? In that case, anticipate: 

      • focus your conference on positive stories, local initiatives.

      • get in touch with the authorities so as to make sure they understand the context and the purpose.

      • build a consensus with participants and speakers beforehand. 

      • if it remains risky, then you should consider choosing another format. But don’t worry! There are many ways to engage in the Santa Marta process.

  • If you don’t have any resource available, there are always small cost options :

    • Get a venue in the nearest university 

    • Bring speakers from civil society groups and coalitions

    • Go for livestream if you cannot find a venue for free

  • Before the conference :

    • Announce it publicly, through social media, posters at the venue… 

    • Invite your local media if you think your activity allows it

    • Text / email all your partners, allies and networks if the attendance is open

    During:

    • Take as many photos as possible

    • You can also go live with some excerpts on social media

    Make sure to keep your message clear when you share pictures and video excerpts

    After:

    • Publish your declaration or closing statement

    • Send it to your ministers when it is possible

    • Share it with allies and partners from abroad

    • Share it with the Santa Marta process 

  • Success is not only attendance! It includes:

    • The new alliances you’ll form

    • The media and social media coverage you’ll get

    • Momentum behind the Fossil Fuel Treaty proposal

    • Decision makers’ attention, whether they’re local or national

    • The clear messages that you put forward

    • An improved coordination structure with your partners

    • More organisers and activists involved…

  • Your national conference should not be a one-off. You could use it to:

    • Launch a national phaseout coalition

    • Plan a national day of action

    • Develop a coordinated advocacy campaign

    • Prepare delegation pressure ahead of Santa Marta