21 May, 2026
International experts, academics, civil society leaders, and public policy representatives will convene this June 16th at The Hague Humanity Hub for a strategic reflection on how the recent international conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels (TAFF) held in Santa Maria, Colombia in April, helps progress more equitable and meaningful pathways toward fossil fuel reduction and Just Transition. Are you interested in attending? You can register here.
“Santa Marta broke new ground in how international policy on climate change can happen. Its processes created space away from the traditional fossil fuel heavyweight states and influential lobbyists that have dominated previous negotiating conferences, brought new people to the table, and fostered new lines of policy discussion on the governance of climate change,” says Prof Alessandra Arcuri, of Erasmus University, one of the co-organisers of the event. “The Netherlands, along with Colombia, were co-hosts of that event, and modelled a different approach to Global North-South diplomatic partnership on climate change governance.”
A key area of discussion at the Santa Marta conference was on the legal framework governing Investor–State Dispute Settlement (ISDS). “ISDS mechanisms have become a major obstacle to climate justice because they allow fossil fuel corporations to sue states for pursuing legitimate decarbonisation policies. Governments cannot be expected to ‘leave it in the ground’ while facing multi-billion-dollar compensation claims from private investors, like is happening in the Netherlands right now,” says Dr Stephanie Triefus from the TMC Asser Institute, co-organiser. “International investment law must be fundamentally reoriented to respect states international obligations on climate change.”
The June 16th event comes at a time of growing international attention on “Just Transition” that seeks to infuse climate action responses with greater attention to social justice and human rights, from areas such as labour precarity, access to energy, and how to fairly address the unequal burdens and costs of climate change in local to international responses.
“Just Transition is emerging as a legal and policy focal point in domestic and international policy in recognition that responses to the climate crisis require joined up and systemic legal and governance responses anchored in fairness and the protection and promotion of human rights,” says Dr. Siobhán Airey, of Erasmus University, co-organiser. “This is already evident in the Netherlands, at municipal level (e.g., Climate Justice initiatives in both the Hague and Rotterdam municipalities), at regional level (e.g., energy regions within the Netherlands, and the EU’s Just Transition Mechanism), and at national level (e.g., recent positions from the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency and the Dutch Council of State). Now a Just Transition mechanism also exists within the international COP processes. We hope the Netherlands will contribute this experience, expertise and leadership in Just Transition to the evolution of Just Transition within international climate policy.”
The June gathering is expected to foster dialogue across disciplines and sectors, bringing together researchers, policymakers, and civil society actors working at the intersection of climate governance, sustainable development, finance, labour, youth and environmental justice.
According to Marija Pop Trajkova, this is a convening role that the Hague Humanity Hub is uniquely positioned to fulfil. “At the Humanity Hub, we coordinate The Hague Climate Justice Community as a space where people working across climate, peace and justice can connect, exchange perspectives and build collaboration across sectors and lived experiences. We believe a just transition can only happen when policymakers, civil society, researchers, activists, innovators and local communities are part of the same conversation and can learn from one another.” Noting the strongly collaborative nature of the event, she commented, “Events like this show the importance of creating spaces for honest dialogue, shared learning and collective action to move climate justice from ambition into practice, while keeping equity and lived experience at the centre of any transition away from fossil fuels.”
The June 16th event is structured around three central themes:
Organisers hope the event will contribute to stronger engagement between researchers, policymakers, and civil society actors and lead to more inclusive policy frameworks capable of responding to the urgent social and environmental challenges posed by climate change.
NOTE: Positioned strategically between COP30 in Belém last November, Brazil and COP31 in Antalya in Turkey in November 2026, the April Santa Marta conference served as a critical diplomatic, policy, and research moment within the evolving global climate agenda.
In the lead-up to TAFF, a pre-consultation was held at The Hague Humanity Hub on April 14 to center justice, equity, and international solidarity within this agenda. The event brought together a diverse group of participants from civil society, science, politics, and youth groups, to explore how the ambition to phase-out fossil fuels can be translated into practical, just, and inclusive pathways. Are you interested to read more? Check out our other article for key insights!
Read more!You can also register for our event to reflect on the outcomes of Santa Marta and explore the road ahead.
Register here!
A new research report, "Funding Civil Society Freedom", by Peace Direct looks at how flexible funding models are being used in practice, and what they can offer to those working across peace, justice, and development. Flexible funding is not only preferable to mainstream approaches, it is a necessary part of building a more equitable and decolonised global system.
In the lead-up to the First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels (TAFF), a pre-consultation was held at The Hague Humanity Hub on April 14 to center justice, equity, and international solidarity within this agenda. The event brought together a diverse group of participants from civil society, science, politics, and youth groups, to explore how the ambition to phase-out fossil fuels can be translated into practical, just, and inclusive pathways.
