January 21, 2025 - The city of Athens has officially called for the negotiation of a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, making the capital of Greece the 18th major world capital and 130th local government worldwide to formally back the proposal.

Athens is the latest city to advocate for nation-states to negotiate a new international mechanism framework that would aim to end the expansion of fossil fuels and phase out oil, gas and coal extraction by managing and financing a global just transition for workers and communities to prosper in a sustainable  energy-powered future. The momentum of the Fossil Fuel Treaty initiative is growing, and the proposal is now being spearheaded by 16 nation-states from the Pacific, Latin America, Asia and the Caribbean, and pressure is building on European states to join the initiative.

Haris Doukas, Mayor of Athens, underlined: “We live in an interdependent world facing multiple challenges. Cities, such as Athens, which are closer to citizens and listen to their concerns, can offer substantial solutions to social and environmental problems through cooperation at European and international level within the framework of common goals. This is what we are doing now by supporting a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty together with many other important cities around the world. Inter-municipal cooperation is essential to addressing the climate crisis."

The endorsement of the Fossil Fuel Treaty proposal is the latest of a range of measures the city has taken to combat climate change and in particular the effects of warming climate and air pollution. Prior to the adoption of the resolution, the Municipality of Athens conducted a survey through the Novoville digital engagement platform to take into account the opinion of citizens. 981 citizens took part in the survey "Athens and Climate Change", which was conducted on Tuesday 14 January 2025. 61% of respondents said that climate change is now evident in the city all year round, 80% agreed that inter-municipal cooperation is needed to tackle the new reality and 90% of participants were in favour of cooperation with other cities in the world through the International Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.

The Mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas, added: “Athens is a city experiencing the consequences of the climate crisis, particularly through impacts such as the increasing intensity and frequency of heatwaves, while the risk of flooding also grows, as evidenced by scientific data. We presented the data we have mapped in GIS charts to provide a complete overview. The risks to health, social cohesion, and even the economy are steadily increasing. This is a significant reason why we aim to strengthen the city’s resilience on multiple levels. The Athens Climate Pact and its accompanying Investment Plan also have a strong social dimension.They promote actions and initiatives with a positive social impact alongside environmental and climate benefits.”

Lucas Snaije, Cities & Subnational Campaign Coordinator, Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, said: “Greece’s capital is mainland Europe’s hottest metropolis, and in 2024 faced record-breaking temperatures and wildfires. As more and more cities grapple with the devastating effects of climate change, Mayors are stepping up and demanding for the root cause of the crisis, fossil fuels, to be addressed in a new global agreement. As our world continues to urbanise, it is increasingly evident that their voices must be heard, and better represented, in multilateralism and climate negotiations.” 

Athens now joins European capitals such as London, Paris, Rome, Dublin, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, and Tirana in forming a cohort of bold climate leaders who, alongside their local initiatives at the city level, are elevating their voices to call on national governments to cooperate at the global level and take genuine climate action to meet the twin challenges of phasing out fossil fuels rapidly enough to avoid catastrophic climate change, while ensuring an equitable and just transition.

Ioannis Tsipouridis, Renewable Energy Consultant, Professor and Climate Action Advocate who played a critical role for the city’s resolution to be adopted, said: “The end of fossil fuels and the shift to Renewable Energy Sources is the only viable way forward, if we are to avoid disasters like those Los Angeles is experiencing now and Valencia a few months ago. Phasing out fossil fuels in a fast and fair manner is not just essential to halting the rise in global temperature; it is the foundation of reclaiming a livable climate, one that sustains life. By embracing this commitment, Athens is taking a bold step to secure a sustainable future for our children, safeguarding the legacy of resilience and progress for which Athens has always been known.”