Our Norwegian member organization, together with the Children’s Climate Panel sent a letter to the Norwegian Government, calling to participate in an upcoming (April 2026) meeting about just transition away from fossil fuels. We publish this letter for two reasons. First of all we would like to see more organizations demanding their governments to participate in this conference. And more organizations could be inspired by the initiative to do so in co-operation with young people’s organizations.
To: The Norwegian Government, c/o Minister of Climate and Environment
From: The Children’s Climate Panel and The Grandparents’ Climate Action
Date: January 19, 2026
Subject: Conference on Just Transition, Colombia, April 28–29, 2026
Dear Andreas Bjelland Eriksen,
It was great to meet in Belém, Brazil, together with so many wonderful and committed people from all over the world. It was, of course, a great disappointment that COP30 failed to reach a final declaration on the phasing out of fossil fuels. This will put extra pressure on COP31 in Turkey. But already in April, there is an important meeting initiated by Colombia and the Netherlands – and where Norway, in our opinion, should participate: First International Conference on the Just Transition Away from Fossil Fuels
After 30 climate summits, and now more than ten years since the Paris Agreement, fossil fuel production continues to increase. This drives the world further towards more extreme weather and a more dangerous future. Lives are lost, crops are destroyed, and people lose their homes.
This requires solutions at a global level – and that responsible governments take the lead. Therefore, Norway ought to participate in the aforementioned conference. Both Colombia and Norway are oil-producing countries, and participation will undoubtedly strengthen efforts to get a phase-out on to the international agenda. We remind you that Norway, during COP30, joined the group of over 80 countries working on a roadmap for transition.
In connection with this, you told the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation that ‘Norway is concerned that the agreements reached are followed up. Already in 2023, the world said it wants to transition away from fossil fuels.
We need a global effort to free ourselves from fossil fuels, said Germany’s Environment Minister at a press conference in Belém on November 18. Norway was present at this event, where the idea of a follow-up meeting in Colombia was launched.
We see this as a good starting point. With Norway’s international credibility, our economic strength, and experience in negotiations, we believe Norway can help build a bridge between fossil-producing countries and countries demanding a faster phase-out. We would appreciate getting to know what the government decides.
Sincerely yours,
The Children’s Climate Panel
Signe Lindbråten, head agent
The Grandparents’ Climate Action
Linda R. Parr, Chair
