Representatives of 53 nations, including Australia, are meeting in Colombia on 24-29 April for the Santa Marta conference on transitioning away from fossil fuels.

This conference is not just talking about climate change but getting to the basic cause. The major cause is fossil fuels – coal, gas and oil, including petrol and diesel.

Countries at the conference will be committing to end fossil fuels. This is a great challenge, but one we must rise to for the sake of future generations, and all living things.

The conference is hosted by the Netherlands and Colombia. It is good that Australia, a major fossil fuel producing country, is participating, but so far our participation seems vague and confused.

Climate Action Merri-bek members asked via the office of Peter Khalil MP what the Australian government is doing for Santa Marta. We got a reply from the office of the Minister for Climate Change and Energy (Chris Bowen) saying Australia will be represented by a senior official but also that “it is not our role to take sides”.

We are confused by this because all countries at the conference have agreed to transition away from fossil fuels. There are no “sides” to take in this sense.

We’ve contacted the minister’s office for clarification and will update this post if we get any. In the meantime, the minister’s position is just not clear.

Post by Val Kay