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illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Economist or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: Colombian President Gustavo Petro's environmental agenda is facing renewed scrutiny as his government leans increasingly on fossil gas to meet domestic energy needs
• With output from the major Cupiagua gas plant declining, Colombia has begun importing expensive liquefied natural gas (LNG)—even as Petro celebrates new domestic gas discoveries
• The contradiction has weakened confidence in his climate commitments
🔭 The context: Elected in 2022 on Latin America’s most ambitious green platform, Petro pledged to phase out fossil fuel exploration and steer Colombia toward clean energy
• Yet dwindling gas supplies, rising energy prices, and inflationary pressure have forced a policy pivot
• Despite past rhetoric against expanding fossil fuel production, his administration has now welcomed new gas finds and signed fresh exploration contracts
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Colombia’s reversal highlights the tension between climate goals and energy security in resource-rich developing nations
• Natural gas, while less polluting than coal, still contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions
• If Colombia cannot transition without resorting to fossil fuels, it signals deeper challenges for global energy equity, especially in balancing economic needs with climate targets in the Global South
⏭️ What's next: Petro’s credibility on climate is increasingly tied to his ability to deliver a workable transition strategy
• Analysts expect more domestic fossil fuel development in the short term, even as the government continues to promote renewables rhetorically
• The administration is expected to now clarify its long-term energy vision, or risk undermining regional and international climate cooperation
💬 One quote: “The government says one thing and does another,” - a former official in Colombia’s energy ministry...“It’s pragmatism disguised as green politics”
📈 One stat: Colombia’s Cupiagua plant once supplied gas to 12 million households—but declining reserves are forcing a costly pivot to imported LNG#
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