Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty

“The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty is a way to stand in solidarity with those most impacted.” – Rachel Mash, Green Anglicans 

The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty initiative is a global effort to foster international cooperation to accelerate a transition to cleaner energy for everyone, end the expansion of coal, oil and gas, and equitably phase out existing production in keeping with what science shows is needed to address the climate crisis. 

The 2015 Paris climate agreement established commitments to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C. Research finds that by 2050 nearly 60 per cent of oil and fossil methane gas, and 90 per cent of coal must remain on the ground to keep within a 1.5 °C target. Since 2015, global fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions have continued to rise.  

A growing bloc of countries are seeking a negotiating mandate for a Fossil Fuel Treaty, which has three pillars: 

  • Non-Proliferation: Stop building out the problem by ending the expansion of coal, oil and gas production. 
  • A Fair Phase-out: An equitable plan for the wind down of existing fossil fuel production, where nations with the capacity and historical responsibility for emissions transition fastest, providing support to others around the world. 
  • Just Transition: Fast track the adoption of renewable energy and economic diversification away from fossil fuels so that no worker, community or country is left behind. 

Fossil fuel non-proliferation must be paired with sustainable and responsible extraction of critical minerals that will drive the transition to renewable energy. We need to ensure that the extraction does not contribute to further environmental harms, human rights violations especially the rights of Indigenous peoples and violence against women and girls’ bodies and livelihoods. 

Cities, academics, faith communities, civil society and individuals worldwide are also joining the call. KAIROS Canada endorsed the treaty initiative in 2020. Globally, the treaty initiative is endorsed by other faith-based organizations, such as the World Council of Churches, the Anglican Consultative Council, the Laudato Si Movement, GreenFaith, and more. 

Learn More:  

  1. Watch KAIROS’ Climate Action Dialogue: Building Momentum for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty (September 2023) where Claudia Campero, Partnerships Coordinator with FFNPT, gives an extensive overview of the who and the why of the treaty initiative. She is followed by two youth, Tia Kennedy from Oneida Nation of the Thames and Walpole Island First Nation, and Matthew Van Abbema, Fridays for Future Ottawa, who share why they endorse the treaty, and call for honesty and accountability in considering treaties, and for actions that highlight hope and care in community. 
  2. Watch the webinar (September 2023) about building endorsement of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty within Canadian churches with the Reverend Canon Rachel Mash from Green Anglicans (Anglican Church of Southern Africa). 
  3. Check out the Briefing Notes, Research and other publications from the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Network. 

Take Action: 

  1. Endorse the treaty initiative as an individual here. 
  2. Ask your Member of Parliament to sign the Parliamentarians Call for a Fossil Fuel-Free Future. You can see if your Member of Parliament has already signed here. 
  3. Check the list of endorsing cities and subnational governments to see if your municipality has endorsed the treaty initiative.   
    • If they have, thank them for taking this position.  
    • If they have not endorsed, send a letter to your municipal councilor, and copy the mayor, inviting them to bring forward a motion to the municipal council to endorse the treaty initiative. If a motion is before the council, you can write to the mayor and urge them to support the motion. Share this sample endorsement motion for municipal governments with decision-makers. 
    • Check the list of endorsing faith bodies  to see if yours has endorsed the treaty initiative. 
  4. If they have not endorsed it, consider what steps would need to be taken to get them to endorse. See the 2024 Season of Creation FFNPT resources here.  
  5. Share your endorsement and amplify the call to support the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty on social media. This amplification pack contains sample messaging and graphics. 
  6. 10 More Ways to Take Action in Support of a Fossil Fuel Treaty.