AFRICA CLIMATE WEEK & SUMMIT 2025

The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty is the needed legal mechanism to support and finance a just transition to a prosperous renewable-powered Africa. The three pillars of the proposed Fossil fuel Treaty are: 

• A global just transition –  a framework for wealthy nations to provide technical support and finance for the  transition to renewable energy for countries with less capacity to transition, so that no workers, communities or countries are left behind 

• Non-Proliferation – ending the expansion of new coal, oil and gas projects everywhere

• A fair phase out – equitably phase out existing fossil fuel production in line with our 1.5ºC target with wealthy nations transitioning first and fastest

Momentum is building around the push for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, with 17 nations  from the Pacific, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Southeast Asia already engaging in discussions to advance a Fossil Fuel Treaty. 

It’s time for African nations to join the nations participating in discussions to a Treaty, in order to contribute to shaping the terms and provisions of a Fossil Fuel Treaty that prioritises the needs of African communities, a Treaty that secures transition finance, technology transfer, debt relief and ensure no one is left behind. 

As the Paris Agreement focuses on emissions reductions, it does not regulate fossil fuel production. A Fossil Fuel Treaty would complement the Paris agreement by setting binding limits on production, creating pathways for a fair phase-out and transition.

Decades of extraction of coal oil and gas in Africa, led by the Global North, has not only failed to meet the continent’s energy needs and enrich the continent but have also worsened injustice, debt and hampered development. The era of coal, oil and gas extraction has largely benefitted European nations, leaving 600 million Africans without electricity access, while worsening the impacts of climate change .

Africa is the most climate vulnerable region, while the continent has contributed the least to the climate crisis. Extreme weather events such as floods, storms, droughts, and wildfires are becoming more frequent and severe and are borne by some of the poorest and most vulnerable in the world. This results in widespread devastation, including loss and damage beyond what people can adapt to - such as loss of lives, livelihoods, damage to homes and communities. 

At the Africa Climate Summit, African nations must take decisive action to address the root cause of the crisis - coal, oil and gas. African nations must reject the fossil fuel trap and map out measures towards a people-centered transition that can create jobs, accelerate universal energy access, protect ecosystems, and drive sustainable development for the African people.

Africa is witnessing a surge in fossil fuel investment, led by multinational corporations. $43 billion is expected to be spent on oil and gas projects this year and potentially $54 billion by 2030. West and North Africa are hotspots, while emerging players like Senegal, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire are also stepping up exploration.

False solutions such as fossil gas, carbon markets and other unproven technologies allow polluters to keep emitting while delaying Africa’s shift to real and sustainable climate solutions. African nations must reject these distractions and focus on proven, renewable pathways.

Africa is energy rich, but power poor. The continent can leverage her vast solar, wind, and hydro potential and drive the global energy transition, if the transition is funded and fair. The proposed Fossil Fuel Treaty offers the framework to secure finance, technical support and cooperation for an equitable energy transition that delivers power, green jobs, sustainable development and resilience for African communities.

An equitable transition away from fossil fuels to renewables, requires international cooperation efforts that acknowledges the responsibility of wealthy nations to phase-out fossil fuel production first and fastest, while providing financial and technical support to Global South countries in their energy transition.

The International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion made it clear that States have binding legal obligations to address climate change, and failing to curb fossil fuel production, consumption, and expansion could constitute an “internationally wrongful act”.

For African nations, which are the most climate-vulnerable, this ruling is a powerful legal tool to demand stronger global action, accountability and reparations in relation to the climate crisis. It provides a basis to press major polluters to stop driving climate breakdown and to demand that they pay up for Loss and damage suffered by our communities.

The ICJ ruling highlighted the need for international cooperation in addressing the climate crisis strengthening the case for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, which would foster coordinated global efforts towards the fair phase out of fossil fuels and a funded transition.