31 March 2026. The evidence is undeniable and consolidated: the burning of fossil fuels is the main historical and current driver of greenhouse gas emissions. Fossil fuels’ role in climate breakdown also gravely affects the fulfilment of human rights.
Strong action for a phaseout is a scientific prerogative, but is needed to comply with international law obligations. In its 2025 advisory opinion on climate change, the International Court of Justice determined that the 1.5°C temperature target is legally binding under the Paris Agreement and that all states must take ambitious mitigation measures in line with the best available science.
2026 is a year in which crucial concrete steps could be taken to go in that direction. Colombia and the Netherlands will be presiding over the First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels, while the COP30 Presidency is seeking to advance negotiations around a similar roadmap in the run-up to this year’s COP31.
A full, fast and just fossil fuel phaseout must be part of a broader shift towards a human rights economy that avoids replication of extractivism and embeds the recognition of the rights of Nature. All policy decisions, frameworks and budget decisions must place the well-being and self-determination of people and the planet at the heart of policies.
That is why, in its submissions to both the Santa Marta and the COP31 roadmap, FIDH calls for:
– Meaningful and effective participation of rightsholders and human rights defenders in phaseout action plans;
– Reform of trade and investment agreements to serve human rights and climate objectives instead of corporate interests;
– Tax justice reform to remedy budgetary crunches arising from the phaseout and find new, increased resources to fulfil human rights.
A just transition away from fossil fuels must be an imperative for all climate action ahead. Time wasted on false solutions endangers human rights beyond control, whereas we can still take critical action to move past the extraction of both resources and human dignity.