COP31 Side Event: Advancing fossil-fuel phase out as a matter of climate justice

The transition away from fossil fuels has gained significant political momentum, notably through the first Global Stocktake (GST) decision at COP28, the COP30-mandated roadmap process and the emerging international cooperation agenda – following the first international conference on transitioning away from fossil fuels, held in Santa Marta in April 2026. 

Climate impacts are devastating lives and livelihoods, with communities on the frontlines facing escalating losses. UNEP’s latest report underscores the widening gap between current emissions and the Paris temperature goals. Amidst all of this, are governments translating the commitment to transition away from fossil fuels into time-bound national plans, or continuing to issue licences and expand production while retaining headline net zero targets? The work of the Net Zero tracker (2023) exposed a fundamental gap in between net zero targets and the fossil fuel phase-out plans needed to deliver them.

This event will focus on turning commitments and initiatives into concrete, independently assessed action to rapidly phase out fossil fuels and provide an equitable and just transition. COP31 in Antalya and the Tuvalu-Ireland conference in May-June-July 2027 present important opportunities to advance this. 

Speakers include:

• Professor Angel Hsu, University of North Carolina
• Nithi Nesadurai, Climate Action Network Southeast Asia
• Amiera Sawas, Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative
• Sven Harmeling, Climate Action Network Europe
• Professor Thomas Hale, University of Oxford (Moderator)

Read the full concept note 

This COP31 side event is jointly organised by the following organisations: Climate Action Network Europe (CAN Europe), Climate Action Network Southeast Asia (CANSEA), and the Net Zero Tracker (encompassing Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), the Data-Driven Envirolab at the University of North Carolina, and Oxford Net Zero).

COP31 side event | 11 November | 18:30–20:00 GMT+3 | Side Event Room 2 – DALYAN

For more information: Frances Green, frances.green@eciu.net