Ahead of the historic First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels, hosted by Colombia and the Netherlands, women leaders will convene to uplift strategies and solutions to build a Just Transition away from fossil fuels

Virtual— More than 87.8 million people worldwide were impacted by climate-fueled disasters in 2025, and 2026 is projected to be among the four hottest years since 1850. As the climate crisis escalates with no end in sight, global women climate leaders are mobilizing during Women’s History Month at the Women’s Momentum Assembly for a Just Fossil Fuel Phaseout. On March 31, the Women's Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN) will host policymakers, grassroots leaders, global advocates, and parliamentarians to discuss the challenges to ending the era of fossil fuels as well as successful policies, campaigns, and solutions to ensure a just and equitable future.

The virtual Assembly is a pre-conference event leading up to the First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels. Hosted by Colombia and the Netherlands from April 28-29, the historic conference will convene aligned governments to institutionalize global cooperation for a managed, equitable fossil fuel phaseout. The Conference was announced during COP30, where more than 80 countries called for a roadmap to transition away from fossil fuels. Despite strong advocacy from governments and civil society, fossil fuels were dropped by the end of the UN conference.

Fossil fuel pollution is responsible for 1 in 5 deaths worldwide and is a leading driver of the climate crisis. The Copernicus Climate Change Service confirmed that 2023 - 2025 marked the first time the planet has exceeded the 1.5 °C guardrail for planetary warming, but importantly also noted that it is possible to recover from this guardrail breach. To fulfil the Paris Agreement and keep long-term 1.5 °C within reach, governments and businesses must implement a fossil fuel phaseout.

Decades of research demonstrate that women’s global leadership is necessary to achieve equitable and successful climate policies and solutions. Yet, new data from March 2025 reveals that women remain underrepresented at all levels of political decision-making worldwide. At the First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels, a successful outcome requires the leadership and experiences of women leaders with a climate justice framework. The WECAN Assembly is convening to ensure vital inputs from women leaders are included in the conference decision-making process.

REGISTER HERE

WHAT: Virtual Conference, Women’s Momentum Assembly for a Just Fossil Fuel Phaseout

WHEN: Tuesday, March 31, from 1:00 - 5:00 PM Eastern Time USA (check your time zone here)

WHERE: Virtual. Register here.

WHO: Organized by Women's Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN). Speaker and presenter highlights to date include:

• Mary Robinson, Former President of Ireland; Member, The Elders; Co-Founder, Project Dandelion, Ireland

• Tzeporah Berman, Chair, Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, Canada

• Daniela Durán González, Head of International Affairs, Colombian Ministry of Environmental and Sustainable Development, Colombia

• Federal Deputy Célia Xakriabá (Xakriabá), Federal Deputy in Brazilian Congress in the State of Minas Gerais, and Co-founder of the National Association of Indigenous Women Warriors of Ancestry (ANMIGA), Brazil

• Casey Camp-Horinek (Ponca Nation), Ponca Nation Environmental Ambassador and WECAN Board Member and Project Coordinator, Turtle Island/United States

• Tasneem Essop, Executive Director, Climate Action Network - International (CAN-I), South Africa

• Mela Chiponda, Director, SHINE Collab, Zimbabwe

• Eriel Tchekwie Deranger (Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation), President of Indigenous Climate Action (ICA), 2024 Climate Breakthrough Award Winner, Turtle Island/Canada

• Giulia Laganà, Director, Just Transition and Climate Department at International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), Belgium

• Majo Andrade Cerda (Kichwa), Member of the Council of CONFENIAE, Leader of the Economy and Community Development area, Member of the Kichwa peoples of Serena, Federation of Napo Indigenous Organizations (FOIN), Ecuador

• Mitzi Jonelle Tan, Convenor, Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines (YACAP), Global Coordinator, Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, Philippines

• President Olivia Bisa Tirko (Chapra), President, Autonomous Territorial Government of the Chapra Nation (GTANCH), Peru

• Osprey Orielle Lake, Executive Director, Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN), USA

Simultaneous interpretation in Spanish, Portuguese, French, and English will be available.