'Committee of doers' stare down climate root cause

A conference of more than 50 nations is focused on unchecked proliferation of coal, oil, and gas. (Diego Fedele/AAP PHOTOS)

As the worst oil shock in history throttles economies worldwide, more than 50 countries are meeting to thrash out an orderly path away from fossil fuels.

A treaty to formalise a phase-out, fossil fuel subsidies and transition finance for developing nations are agenda items for the multi-day event in the port city of Santa Marta.