Environmental (Commonwealth Union)_ Susana Muhamad, Colombia’s environment minister, is one of the leading voices in global environmental politics, renowned for her fierce opposition to fossil fuels. Her journey, however, began in an unexpected place: as a sustainability consultant for Shell, a major oil company. In 2009, disillusioned with the company’s decision to invest in fracking rather than sustainable energy, she resigned and returned to Colombia. This pivotal moment set the stage for her rise as a progressive leader in environmental geopolitics, steering Colombia’s leftist government toward a greener future.
Now 47, Muhamad stands at the helm of Colombia’s environmental agenda. Next month, she will oversee the UN’s Biodiversity COP16 in Cali, Colombia, where leaders from nearly 200 nations will gather to discuss the future of life on Earth. As one of the most visible figures in the movement, Muhamad joins the ranks of global leaders like Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley, advocating for a just transition that balances economic development with environmental conservation.
Muhamad’s early career at Shell was driven by the belief that she could enact positive change within a major energy corporation. But her hopes were dashed when Shell prioritized fracking, leading to her resignation. “I thought it was greenwashing,” she reflects, noting how the strength of the fossil fuel regime made systemic change from within impossible.
The Rise of a Global Environmental Leader
Since taking office, Muhamad has been a vocal advocate for ambitious climate and biodiversity goals. Her ministry played a key role in Colombia becoming the first major fossil fuel producer to join the call for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. The government, under President Gustavo Petro, is pushing to ban fracking and phase out oil, coal, and gas, while positioning biodiversity as the cornerstone of Colombia’s future wealth. Last month, Muhamad launched a $40 billion investment plan to transform this vision into reality.
She has also been instrumental in advancing global discussions on the need for decarbonization paired with biodiversity conservation. During COP28 in Dubai, she underscored the critical balance between decarbonizing the economy and protecting natural ecosystems. “As we decarbonize, we have to protect and recover nature, or the climate will not stabilize,” she said at the summit, stressing the interdependence of climate stability and biodiversity.
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Facing Domestic and Global Challenges
COP16 in Cali holds both international and domestic significance. The summit is seen as a platform for Colombia to lead on global environmental issues and as a potential stepping stone toward peace in the country’s conflict-ridden regions. Muhamad hopes the event can foster dialogue with guerrilla groups, including factions that have threatened the conference but later retracted their threats.
Domestically, Muhamad’s portfolio is vast, tackling everything from reducing deforestation to managing the country’s infamous hippo population, descendants of the animals left behind by drug lord Pablo Escobar. She sees these challenges as opportunities to align Colombia’s environmental goals with its broader social agenda, emphasizing the importance of biodiversity and sustainable development.
A Just Transition and Global Influence
Muhamad’s leadership reflects a shift in the global environmental narrative. She and her counterparts in Colombia and Brazil are leading the charge to end deforestation in the Amazon, a crucial battle in the fight against climate change. At home, she carefully balances the progressive ambitions of Colombia’s first leftist government with the pragmatic need to avoid being labeled too radical.
Her vision for a just transition—one that decarbonizes while protecting Indigenous communities, local populations, and ecosystems—has resonated globally. She speaks to the need for “intergenerational justice,” ensuring that the transition to a green economy is equitable and inclusive. Muhamad’s efforts highlight the complex balance between environmental goals and social justice, with an emphasis on protecting vulnerable populations from the risks of an energy transition.
The Road Ahead
Susana Muhamad’s journey from Shell to the frontlines of global environmental politics is a testament to her unwavering commitment to creating a sustainable future. As she prepares to lead COP16, her vision of an equitable, biodiverse, and carbon-free world is gaining traction, reshaping the dialogue around climate justice and biodiversity.
For Muhamad, the future lies in systemic change. Her political career was born out of frustration with the fossil fuel industry, but it is now fueled by the promise of building a world where environmental protection and social equity go hand in hand. As she continues to push for bold global action, Muhamad remains a force for change in the fight for a sustainable and just future.
