Bodley calls for bold action at fossil fuel phase-out conference

2026-03-20 - 12:44

Ryan Bachoo Lead Editor – Newsgathering ryan.bachoo@cnc3.co.tt Senior Technical Officer at the Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, Charlin Bodley, is urging stronger global commitments and financing mechanisms as the region prepares for the first international conference dedicated to phasing out fossil fuels. Speaking in an interview with Guardian Media, Bodley said the conference, to be held in Santa Marta, Colombia, represents a critical moment for small island developing states (SIDS) to demand accountability from major greenhouse gas emitters. “We contribute less than one per cent of global emissions, yet we are on the front lines of climate impacts,” she said, noting that Caribbean nations continue to face severe consequences from climate change despite their minimal contribution. Bodley explained that the conference creates space for more direct discussions on fossil fuel phase-out, an issue she believes is often diluted within broader negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. She expressed hope that outcomes from the Colombia meeting will influence discussions at COP31 in Turkey later this year. She said success would depend on tangible outcomes, including commitments from governments and a clear action plan. “We must move beyond talk and leave with a framework that signals seriousness and provides solutions,” she added. From a Caribbean perspective, financing remains a major barrier to energy transition. Bodley pointed out that while many countries have set ambitious renewable energy targets under their nationally determined contributions (NDCs), progress is constrained by debt and limited access to funding. “About 60 per cent of climate financing comes as loans, which adds pressure to already debt-stricken economies,” she said. She added that only one-third of the financing required to meet regional climate targets has been secured, leaving a gap estimated at US$2 billion. Bodley also highlighted the vulnerability of Caribbean economies to extreme weather, noting that a single Category 5 hurricane can wipe out national GDP within minutes, further hindering progress. She stressed that a just and equitable transition must include grant-based financing and stronger support from the international community to close these gaps. Regional collaboration, she said, will be key. Bodley pointed to recent discussions in Saint Lucia as an example of how Caribbean stakeholders are aligning science, energy policy and climate priorities to develop a unified approach. She added that institutions like CCREEE are supporting implementation through technical planning, capacity building and project development to help countries move from commitments to action. “The willingness is there,” Bodley said. “What we need now is the support to turn ambition into reality.”