Global Greens statement of endorsement of the Parliamentarians’ Call for a Fossil Fuel Free Future and proposed Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty

The Global Greens are proud to announce our formal endorsement of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty proposal and now urge all elected officials of Green parties globally to join the Parliamentarians’ Call for a Fossil Fuel Free Future.

The burning of fossil fuels – coal, oil, and gas – is the source of 80% of carbon dioxide emissions since the industrial revolution. In addition to being the leading source of emissions, the fossil fuel industry has left billions of people without sufficient energy access, caused conflict and war and is a major threat to public health globally.

Despite this, current climate agreements make little mention of fossil fuels reduction, and coal, oil and gas projects continue to be approved globally. In response to this, a network of over 600 legislators from more than 82 countries has joined the Parliamentarians’ Call for a Fossil Fuel Free Future, calling on world leaders to work together in a spirit of international cooperation to:

1. End new expansion of oil, gas and coal production in line with the best available science as outlined by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the United Nations Environment Program;
2. Phase out existing oil, gas and coal in a manner that is fair and equitable, taking into account the responsibilities of countries for climate change and their respective capacity to transition;
3. Commit to and pursue transformational policies and plans to ensure 100% access to renewable energy globally, support economies to diversify away from fossil fuels, and enable people and communities across the globe to flourish through a just global transition;
4. Enact national budgets and fiscal policies that will support this swift and just transition nationally and globally; ensuring the timely and adequate delivery of public, additional and non-debt-creating climate finance as part of the obligations of rich, industrialised countries to address climate change.

Global Greens also call for “new international commitments and treaties, complementing the Paris Agreement, to address the urgency of a swift and just transition away from fossil fuel energy” such as a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Green Parliamentary Members, Ministers and councilors worldwide have helped build momentum behind this proposal — from tabling the resolution for the Australian Capital Territory to be the first subnational government to endorse the Fossil Fuel Treaty and Green MEPs helping push the European Parliament to endorse ahead of COP27.

In recent months, the call for the proposed Fossil Fuel Treaty has gained significant diplomatic support including from a bloc of six Pacific nation-states spearheaded by Vanuatu and Tuvalu, as well as the European Parliament, the World Health Organisation and over 80 cities and subnational governments, and many Greens.

• Green Parliamentarians to sign on to the Parliamentarians’ Call for a Fossil Fuel Free Future
• Green Councillors and Mayors to encourage their city to join 80 municipal governments that have formally endorsed the call for a Fossil Fuel Treaty, including through signing the Mayor’s Declaration for a Fossil Fuel Treaty
• Green Parties and/or Ministers at a subnational and national level seek pathways toward their government joining those formally endorsing the proposed Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty and building an alliance to secure a negotiating mandate
• Green Party members to promote and encourage the endorsement of the non-proliferation treaty and a just transition

Evidence demonstrates that elected officials play a critical role in building momentum towards treaties for positive, radical change. As a movement of Green Parties globally we must now help seek greater international cooperation on a just transition away from coal, oil and gas, for a fair, sustainable planet for all.