The main cause of the climate emergency is fossil fuels. Coal, oil and gas are responsible for almost 80% of all carbon dioxide emissions since the industrial revolution. Phasing out fossil fuel production, and fast-tracking progress towards safer and more cost-effective solutions, will require unprecedented international cooperation in three main areas – non-proliferation, global disarmament and a peaceful, just transition.
The world is beginning to recognise that unprecedented levels of international cooperation will be required to prevent the proliferation of fossil fuels, to phase-out existing stockpiles and infrastructure, and to fast-track a just and peaceful transition to safer and cleaner alternatives.
Preventing the proliferation of coal, oil and gas by ending all new exploration and production
The world is on track to produce more than twice as much coal, oil and gas by 2030 than is consistent with limiting the rise in global temperature to below 1.5C, according to the United Nations and other organizations. An immediate end to exploration and expansion into new reserves is needed to prevent the proliferation of unnecessary and unburnable fossil fuels, to protect workers, communities and investments from becoming stranded, and to avoid locking the world into catastrophic and irreversible climate disruption.
Phasing-out existing stockpiles and production of fossil fuels in line with the 1.5C global climate goal
The world’s oil and gas fields and coal mines contain enough carbon to push the world beyond the Paris Agreement’s temperature limits. Phasing-out fossil fuel production must start by regulating fossil fuel supply, limiting extraction, removing subsidies for production, dismantling unnecessary infrastructure, defending the rights of Indigenous Peoples and impacted communities, and shifting support to safer alternatives, in order to align fossil fuel supply with the goals of the Paris Agreement.
Fast-tracking real solutions and a just transition for every worker, community and country
The scale of the challenge demands urgent collective action. A peaceful and just transition calls for a clear path and a proactive plan to enable economic diversification, implement renewable energy and other reliable, cost-effective low-carbon solutions, and to support every worker, community and country. We can either intentionally develop new ways to meet our needs or lose the window of opportunity to ensure a safe climate, healthy economy and sustainable future.
Just as fifty years ago the world needed a treaty to defuse the threats posed by weapons of mass destruction, the world today needs a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.
To know more about FFNPT Initiative
The UN Production Gap Report, assessing the gap between the Paris targets and planned fossil fuel production.
The Lofoten Declaration, a global call for a managed decline of fossil fuel production
Net Zero by 2050 A Roadmap for the Global Energy Sector by IEA
Click for video The Fossil Fuel Story
Click for video The Fossil Fuel Story Chhattisgarh
Click for video The Fossil Fuel Story from Tamil Nadu
Click for video The Fossil Fuel Story from Kaveri delta
February to December 2021
Nakul Sharma, email: nakul@cansouthasia.net
