Colombia as a leader in climate and energy policy: Requirements for German and European cooperation

Jule Könneke

No 27/2026, SWP Comments from Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP), German Institute for International and Security Affairs

Abstract: Under President Gustavo Petro, Colombia has positioned itself internationally as a leader in climate action and in pursuing a just transition away from fossil fuels. Among other things, Petro's climate and energy policy relied on supply-side measures to limit the exploitation of fossil fuels - a unique approach among those countries in the Global South that, like Colombia, export fossil fuels. At the same time, Petro has had only limited success in implementing this agenda within his own country. With the election victory of the right-wing opposition candidate, Abelardo de la Espriella, the future of this reform course is now being renegotiated. Whether the transformation in Colombia succeeds without jeopardising short-term economic stability, security of supply, and social cohesion is relevant for many countries that export fossil fuels and have only limited fiscal space. They are therefore closely watching whether, and under what conditions, Germany and the European Union (EU) provide support for Colombia's transformation. Failure would have political implications beyond Colombia.

Keywords: Global South; EU; Germany; Gustavo Petro; export of fossil fuels; energy transition; TAFF; Santa Marta conference; UN climate process; COP28; COP30; presidential election; transformation partnerships (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:zbw:swpcom:342575

DOI: 10.18449/2026C27

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