Notice

Energy transition action plan (ETAP) between the UK and Republic of Colombia

Published 23 April 2024

Energy transition action plan (ETAP) between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the Ministry of Mines and Energy of the Republic of Colombia, in support of the energy transition in Colombia

Recognising that the world must remain on track to keep a global temperature rise below 1.5C to avoid damaging climate impacts, both countries have committed to ambitious reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Colombia will seek to deliver a reduction of 51% by 2030 and the UK 68% by 2030 compared to ‘business-as-usual’. Both countries have committed to reach net-zero by 2050.

Delivering on the Paris Agreement, as part of a new National Development Plan, and to comply with the renewable and energy efficiency pledge made at COP28, Colombia has set out a number of ambitious commitments that include:

1. Electrifying the economy and raising the supply of electricity from renewable sources as two key pillars of the overall decarbonisation strategy. This includes achieving an overall share of electricity between 40% and 70% of final energy consumption by 2050 in alignment with Colombia’s long term low GHG emission development strategy and the Just Energy Transition Roadmap.
2. Diversifying energy sources through the promotion of solar, wind, run-of-river hydropower, biomass, geothermal, tidal, hydrogen and its derivates.
3. Adding 2,000 MW of commercially operating generation capacity and pursuing the installation of a further 4,000 MW from non-conventional renewable energy sources
4. Promoting a Just Energy Transition focussed on increasing investments in clean energy and decarbonisation strategies; progressive substitution of fossil fuel demand; greater energy efficiency; and the reindustrialisation of the Colombian economy, as well as major actions in reskilling, retraining, and other labour reconversion measures in sectors affected by the decline in fossil fuels sector.
5. Increasing the ambition of GHG emissions reduction of Colombia’s mining and energy sector in the process of submitting a revised NDC.

Building upon the progress made under the UK-Colombia Partnership for Sustainable Growth, this document sets out an ambitious workplan to support the implementation of these commitments and promote a just, equitable and inclusive energy transition in Colombia.

The UK and Colombia have reached the following understanding:

• to structure jointly the launch of the next phase of the Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions (UK PACT) programme, ensuring that UK PACT continues to deliver against Colombia’s priorities in promoting a just energy transition

• to cooperate in relation to the sharing of expertise, experience, good practice and lessons learned in support of Colombia’s planned portfolio of energy transition programmes and projects, including but not limited to the following low carbon energy sectors: offshore and onshore wind, solar energy, electrical networks, energy efficiency, geothermal and sustainable mobility, economic diversification and reindustrialization in fossil fuels dependent regions, electrolytic or ‘green’ hydrogen, and carbon capture and storage, for hard to abate sectors

• to develop a series of skills shares between UK experts and Colombian government institutions to promote the sharing of strategic advice on policy priorities for Colombia, building on earlier UK-Colombia initiatives, including offshore wind, hydrogen, financing a coal phase-out, early retirement mechanisms, structuring and roll-out of renewable energy projects, smart grids, energy communities, and just transition for workers and communities

• to develop pipelines of innovative, large-scale bankable renewable energy projects through initiatives such as the UK’s Climate Finance Accelerator (CFA), the UK Sustainable Infrastructure Programme and the UK-supported C40 Urban Climate Action Programme (UCAP)

• to cooperate in improving the energy efficiency of Colombia’s building stock, increasing uptake of low-carbon energy efficient construction standards, such as Excellence in Design for Great Efficiencies (EDGE), and developing pipelines of construction projects, via the UK’s Market Accelerator for Green Construction (MAGC) Programme. Also, potential cooperation for other measures to improve the energy efficiency for transportation and industry sector including public policymaking, actions and recommendations

• to further explore how to maximise Colombia’s ability to access the deep pools of capital available in London for green finance, while supporting Colombia to deepen its capital markets and mobilise local finance into climate action

• to work through the Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA) to coal phase out for Colombia, including, but not limited to, the setting of a coal phase out date and phase-out coal-fired power stations in Colombia and the United Kingdom

• to participate on energy related events arranged and delivered by the British Embassy in Colombia, such as trade missions, workshops, congresses, among others

• to facilitate the participation of UK companies in Colombian energy-related events for UK companies to showcase their commercial expertise

• to use the Colombia Investment Roadshow in London in April 2024, ExpoTEJ and the Green Investment Roundtable in Bogota in June 2024, and others of its kind, to showcase the green investment opportunities in Colombia

• to work together to create conditions that attract investment from UK companies into the Just Energy Transition in Colombia, seeking to maximise the use of instruments such as UK Export Finance (UKEF) guarantees

The UK and Colombia will use their High-Level Dialogue to review progress against the ETAP, as part of their joint programme of work on climate change and nature, captured by the UK-Colombia Partnership for Sustainable Growth.

This ETAP is a statement of the Participant’s intentions and constitutes an expression of the Participants’ good faith to engage in the collaboration described herein. It does not constitute a legally binding agreement or create any rights or obligations under domestic or international law. It does not affect the rights of and obligations of third parties or the rights of the Participants to conclude any matter described herein.

This ETAP will come into effect on the date on which it is signed and will remain in effect for a period of (1) one year, automatically renewable for a further (1) one year unless otherwise terminated by either party to the agreement in writing. This ETAP may be amended by mutual written consent at any time. The Participants intend to amicably resolve any questions concerning implementation of the ETAP through mutual consultation and negotiation.

For the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Signed:

Justin Tomlinson MP
Minister of State

Date: 23 April 2024

For the Ministry of Mines and Energy of the Republic of Colombia

Signed:

Omar Andrés Camacho Morales
Minister of Mines and Energy

Date: 23 April 2024