As city leaders and national governments gather at the First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels, co-hosted by Colombia and the Netherlands, one message is clear: transitioning away from fossil fuels is the most effective way to guarantee energy security. Current global volatility has proven that fossil fuel dependence is a direct threat to household budgets, national financial stability and global insecurity. By moving away from the price shocks and supply disruptions inherent in fossil fuel dependence, we can deliver what communities actually need: energy that is affordable, reliable and resilient against global crises. This conference stands as one of the most promising outcomes of COP30, signaling a concrete shift from global pledges to local implementation. Earlier this month, over 25 cities from around the world joined the governments of Colombia and the Netherlands in a virtual dialogue co-convened by C40 and ICLEI, ensuring the conference reflects a truly global subnational perspective and showcases the transition in action at the local level.
As energy prices continue to fluctuate with global fossil fuel markets, cities are showing that renewable energy offers a more stable and cost-effective alternative. Every spike in oil and gas prices is felt immediately by households, businesses, and public budgets, highlighting the risks of continued dependence on volatile global markets. Renewable electricity is now significantly cheaper than traditional fossil fuels dependent sources, with new solar and wind power costing at least 50% less than new fossil fuel generation. At the same time, 92% of countries have renewable energy potential exceeding ten times their current energy demand, highlighting the scale of the opportunity ahead.
Cities are central to this transition. Urban centres account for 75% of global energy-related emissions, making local action critical to global progress. They are also where the impacts of fossil fuel dependency are most visible, from rising living costs to worsening air pollution and climate-related disruptions. Across C40 cities, per capita emissions have already fallen below pre-pandemic levels, marking four consecutive years of decline and demonstrating that sustained progress is possible.
Local governments are already delivering solutions at scale. From London’s world’s largest clean air zone to Melbourne’s collective renewable energy purchasing, which now supplies 100% of municipal operations, cities are accelerating the transition while reducing costs. In Curitiba, Brazil, public procurement for solar energy is cutting energy bills by 30% in public buildings while creating good, green jobs. Johannesburg’s US$140 million green bond has funded renewable energy and efficiency projects, showing how strong investor demand can accelerate city-led climate action. Warsaw is supporting low-income households to transition directly to clean heating systems, helping to reduce energy poverty while cutting air pollution where it’s needed the most. And in Colombia, Bogotá created the first designated low-emission zone focused on reducing traffic and industrial pollution (ZUMA) in one of the city’s most vulnerable and heavily polluted neighborhoods to improve air quality and public health, benefiting almost 40,000 people.
Crucially, cities are recognising that a green economy is only as strong as its workforce. To ensure this transition promotes inclusive growth, local leaders are proactively addressing the skills gap by reorienting the workforce through targeted training and education. Green transitions are already facing significant labour shortages – especially in cities and in key green urban sectors like transport, construction, waste – and unless workforce development efforts are scaled up, these gaps are expected to increase. C40 analysis across 25 cities – including in Colombia and Brazil – shows that up to 6 million additional workers might be needed by 2040. By partnering with labour unions and industry leaders, cities are creating pathways for workers in sunsetting industries to transition into high-growth sectors like solar installation, EV maintenance, and green construction.
These actions are part of a broader, shared commitment by C40 mayors: to halve fossil fuel use in cities by 2030. This goal is not only achievable, but it is already underway and represents a critical contribution to the global target of tripling renewable energy capacity by the end of the decade, set by nearly 200 countries at COP28.
The benefits are now unquestionable. The transition could prevent more than 776,000 premature deaths by 2050 and avoid trillions in health-related economic losses. At the same time, local climate action is already creating jobs and driving economic growth, with over 21 million green jobs already present across C40 cities while 4 out of 10 jobs are expected to be green by 2040, especially in sectors like transport, construction and waste.
However, the pace and scale of change depend on stronger collaboration.
National governments must play a critical role by integrating city-led action into national climate and energy plans, increasing investment in urban clean energy solutions and expanding access to municipal funding, as well as enabling energy decentralisation and direct power purchase agreements. In particular, expanding access to finance, supporting municipal funding mechanisms such as Johannesburg’s green bonds, and enabling cities to enter renewable energy agreements can unlock large-scale implementation.
Governments must also accelerate the transformation of energy systems by modernising grids, supporting electrification, and ensuring that clean energy is the most accessible and affordable option for households.
A just and inclusive transition must remain at the centre of this effort. By investing in communities, supporting workers, and ensuring access to affordable clean energy to reduce energy poverty, governments at all levels can ensure that the benefits of this transition are widely shared.
Cities are ready. With the right support, they can accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels and deliver a future defined by affordable, cleaner, and more reliable energy, healthier communities, and resilient economies. A future where energy systems are no longer driven by volatility and crisis, but by stability, security, and long-term affordability for all.
Irene Vélez Torres, Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia, declared:
“Colombia has been clear: the transition away from fossil fuels is not only necessary, it is an opportunity to build a more just and resilient future. But this transformation cannot be achieved by national governments alone. Cities and regions are essential to this effort. They are where people live, where inequalities are felt most deeply, and where the impacts of climate change are already being experienced every day. That is why we must work together to accelerate this transition in a way that delivers a better future for those who matter most: people. This is about moving forward. All together.”
Stientje van Veldhoven, Minister of Climate Policy and Green Growth, Kingdom of the Netherlands, declared:
“The Netherlands is committed to accelerating the transition away from fossil fuels as a practical pathway to secure clean, reliable and affordable energy for our societies. But this transformation cannot be delivered by national governments alone. Cities are essential partners: they are where innovation happens, where solutions are implemented, and where people experience the benefits of this transition in their daily lives. That is why we must work together to turn ambition into action, by supporting cities, unlocking investment, and scaling the solutions that are already working. This is how we build stronger, more resilient economies and deliver a better future for everyone.”
Geordin Hill-Lewis, Mayor of Cape Town, South Africa, declared:
“In Cape Town, we are working to secure a more reliable and affordable energy future by diversifying our energy supply and investing in renewables. By enabling independent power production and reducing reliance on fossil fuels over time, we are strengthening energy security while creating new economic opportunities. This transition is essential for building a more resilient city that can better serve its residents.”
Pabel Muñoz, Mayor of Quito, Ecuador, declared:
“Quito is moving decisively toward clean energy because cleaner air, lower costs, and a healthier city for our people are unquestionable benefits we all should pursue. By investing in sustainable transport and modern energy systems, we are not only reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, we are building a more just and resilient future. This transition is not a political view or an option, it is essential to our communities future. And we must urgently act.”
H.E. Hon. Sakaja Arthur Johnson, Governor of Nairobi, Kenya, declared:
“In Nairobi, we are investing in cleaner public transport and expanding access to reliable energy to support a growing city. This transition is creating jobs, improving mobility, and delivering more affordable solutions for our communities. Moving towards more sustainable energy sources is about building a city today that works better for future generations.”
Haris Doukas, Mayor of Athens, Greece, declared:
“In Athens, we are accelerating the shift to clean energy by investing in energy-efficient buildings, expanding sustainable transport, and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels across the city. Through initiatives like our Energy Poverty Office, we are also ensuring that vulnerable households can access affordable, clean energy solutions. These actions are helping us lower costs, improve air quality, and strengthen resilience. The transition away from fossil fuels is a global challenge, which is why we also support efforts such as the Fossil Fuel Treaty. This transition is not only necessary, it is an opportunity to build a more liveable, secure and fair future for all our communities.”
Caterina Sarfatti, C40’s Managing Director for Political Strategy & Advocacy, declared:
“Across the world, cities are showing that transitioning away from fossil fuels is not only possible, but it is already happening and delivering real benefits for people. At a time when households are facing rising energy bills, supply shocks, and the growing impacts of climate change, our toxic dependence on fossil fuels is exposing communities to instability and risk. From lower energy costs to cleaner air and more resilient communities, this transition is improving lives today while securing our future. And cities are where this transition moves from words to facts. Mayors are electrifying transport, scaling clean energy, training the workforce and making homes more efficient and affordable, proving that we can grow stronger economies while reducing our reliance on volatile fossil fuel markets. This is an opportunity to build healthier, more affordable, and safer communities. And cities are ready to lead.”