In another first, Merri-bek City Council has become the first local council in Australia to endorse the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. Like the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, which addresses another global threat, this international initiative aims to address global warming by phasing out fossil fuels across the world.
The main cause of the climate emergency is carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere caused by the burning of fossil fuels. Global fossil CO2 emissions rose 62% between 1990 and 2019, according to the United Nations. We need to reduce emissions 7.6% each year between 2020 and 2030 if we are going to limit global warming.
Every action counts
In May’s meeting of Council, Merri-bek City Councillors voted to join Los Angeles, Vancouver, Barcelona and the growing number of international councils, cities, organisations and individuals supporting this international effort.
The counsellors also motioned to write to the Australian Foreign Minister and the Federal Member for Wills advising of their endorsement of the Treaty and calling on the Commonwealth Government to support, negotiate and, eventually, ratify the Treaty.
Stopping fossil fuel expansion
The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty aims to stop the expansion and production of oil, gas and coal fossil fuels in line with the Paris Agreement, the international treaty on climate change aiming to limit global warming. A concerted global effort is critical at a time when some governments and the fossil fuel industry are increasing fossil fuel expansion and production. The Treaty aims to end all new exploration and production, phase-out existing stockpiles and fast-track a just transition for every worker, community and country.
For more information about the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty or to sign up yourself as an individual visit www.fossilfueltreaty.org
