Support for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty is growing and accelerating. But what is the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty? And why is it seen as a vital step forward in the climate action movement?
Take a moment to read why this treaty matters, how it would complement and help us meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, and why its campaigners believe it’s essential for all of us.
By Tzeporah Berman, Founder & Chair, Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative
We all feel the impacts of climate change in our daily lives, and it’s clear we need stronger, more direct action. While our collective efforts in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will continue to be essential, and the Paris Agreement was a huge milestone, it didn’t directly address fossil fuels – coal, oil, and gas – which are responsible for 86% of the carbon emissions fueling the climate crisis.
That’s where the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty comes in. It is a bold, collective initiative supported by nations and communities around the world.
It builds on what already exists by directly targeting the production and supply of fossil fuels and closing the critical policy gap between emissions targets and plans to expand fossil fuel production.
Who have endorsed the treaty?
135 cities and subnational governments, including Paris, Montreal and Copenhagen, and 4,000 organisations, institutions and businesses, along with one million individuals, have so far endorsed the treaty.
Pacific nations such as Vanuatu and Tuvalu have called on nation-states to join them in developing the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. They have been supported by the World Health Organization, the European Parliament and thousands of others.
In Australia, the Australian Capital Territory has endorsed the treaty, and so have the councils of municipalities in Darebin, Maribyrnong, Yarra and Merri-bek in Melbourne, along with the councils of Hobart, Newcastle and Sydney.
It is time to put Geelong on this list as well. You can add your name as an individual or in the name of the organisation or business you represent, and you can ask questions to the Councillors of Geelong about the city hall joining other cities such as Sydney, Hobart and Newcastle.
“From Europe to the Amazon, one truth stands out: the movement for a fossil-free world is not just a vision—it’s a reality that is taking root across continents. From the energy-efficient streets of Copenhagen to the Indigenous-led assemblies in the Amazon, people and governments, cities and nations are coming together around a shared understanding that our collective future can only be built beyond fossil fuels.
The cracks of light are growing brighter, and with every individual, organisation, business, and world leader joining this movement, we will be able to move ahead stronger and faster. The road to Belém and beyond is paved with hope, action, and the unwavering belief that together, we can achieve a better, safer, healthier and more prosperous future for all.”
~ Tzeporah Berman, Chair, Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative
How Australian councils can support this treaty
In Australia local government is not only on the frontline of increasing climate impacts but has been leading climate action for many decades. Many councils are taking strong climate action, but are frustrated that, at the national level, climate leadership has been missing. Australia is the second largest exporter of emissions from fossil fuels and is still approving new coal and gas projects.
A Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty could move us beyond local battles against fossil fuel expansion, and protect people from the threat fossil fuels pose to our climate, our health and our future.
Led by Pacific nations, a growing number of countries and subnational governments are saying it’s time for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. A treaty could provide a global roadmap to halt the expansion of fossil fuels; phase out coal, oil and gas; and lay the foundations for an equitable and just energy transition in which no worker, community or country is left behind.
We heard from Dr. Kumi Naidoo, President of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative and Rob Law, Senior Manager of Energy Transitions for WWF-Australia in an inspiring session on just how Australian councils can support the treaty in solidarity with the Pacific nations leading this initiative, to contribute to creating a global framework to enable their local action and help us return to a safe climate for all.
This webinar was hosted by Climate Emergency Australia in partnership with the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, and WWF-Australia.
| Why this treaty matters Closing a critical gap: While current climate agreements mainly focus on reducing emissions, this treaty would complement them by addressing the upstream root of the problem—fossil fuel extraction. Without reducing production, we can’t realistically meet our climate goals. Creating accountability: It provides a clear framework for countries to responsibly and transparently phase out fossil fuels in line with their climate commitments and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)—the climate action plans each country develops under the Paris Agreement. Ensuring a fair transition: The treaty recognises that many countries—especially in the Global South—depend on fossil fuel revenues. That’s why it calls for real support from wealthier nations: the transfer of resources, technology, and finance to ensure people, communities, and entire economies can transition with dignity and opportunity. Building a proactive coalition: We don’t need to wait for full global consensus to move forward. The treaty empowers willing ‘first mover’ countries to lead and collaborate without blockers in the room, creating momentum that can inspire broader international action in other negotiations. Bringing multiple benefits: Moving beyond fossil fuels doesn’t only protect the climate. It also improves public health, advances human rights, boosts energy access, and contributes to peace and sustainable development. Taken together, these five pillars show why the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty is not just necessary, but a practical and strategic next step in strengthening global climate action and helping meet goals of existing frameworks. We’ve laid the foundation—but we can’t do it alone. Turning this vision into reality will take all of us pulling in the same direction. This work is urgent, ambitious—and entirely achievable if we act together. Your support is essential to keep this important work going. It takes significant resources to drive real change, so anything you can chip in today will be deeply appreciated. Any donation, no matter the size, can make a difference and help us keep this work going. → Find out more at fossilfueltreaty.org → Join the growing treaty coalition by endorsing the #FossilFuelTreaty. |
| If you would like to dive deeper into how this treaty works alongside global climate efforts, here is a helpful explainer that breaks it all down. |
