Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty

The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative is a joint diplomatic and civil society campaign to create a treaty to stop fossil fuel exploration and expansion and phase-out existing production in line with the targets of the Paris Climate Agreement, while supporting a just transition to renewable energy.

The concept of a global fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty came to light in 2015 when Pacific Island nations signed the Suva Declaration On Climate Change. The Declaration called for a moratorium and mandatory international mechanisms dedicated to phasing out fossil fuels in the Pacific.

The Leaders of the Pacific Islands Development Forum declared that they were gravely distressed that climate change posed irreversible loss and damage to their people, societies, livelihoods, and natural environments, including increased intensity of tropical cyclones, sea level rise, severe storm surges, coral bleaching, saltwater intrusions, coastal erosion, changing precipitation patterns, submersion of islands, and ocean acidification.

They also highlighted that climate change was resulting in displacement of island populations and the loss of land. They supported the establishment of a Pacific Small Islands Developing States regional task force on climate financing to ensure funding for adaptation and mitigation actions.

The concept has developed since then with the establishment of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative in 2019, which is backed by a range of organisations.

Despite decades of climate negotiations, governments are approving new coal, oil and gas projects. These projects hinder us from limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees centigrade. A mandatory plan is necessary to steer a global transition away from fossil fuels. A growing bloc of seventeen countries are seeking a mandate for a fossil fuel treaty, which would complement the Paris Agreement and provide the guidance needed to stop the continual extraction and use of fossil fuels and to facilitate a just energy transition in which no worker, community or country is left behind.

Ireland has the opportunity to be a global climate leader by endorsing the Fossil Fuels Non-Proliferation Treaty. Projects like Shannon LNG would lock us into decades of fossil fuel dependence. Fossil Fuel will always be a finite resource. We must end expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure and production.