PRESS RELEASE, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, 16 September, 2021

16th September - The governments of Denmark and Costa Rica are due to announce their landmark diplomatic initiative rooted in the urgency of keeping fossil fuels in the ground to tackle the climate crisis today. The Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance (BOGA) is a formalised space that allows first-mover nations to demonstrate climate leadership on ending the expansion of new oil and gas production, setting the tone for other nations to follow suit.

The initiative - to be announced at Energy Action Day as hosted by Denmark, IRENA, UNEP and the World Economic Forum - comes on the heels of a wave of momentum calling for the end of the fossil fuel era, not least the International Energy Agency’s 1.5ºC scenario and the latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Despite the evidence, governments are still allowing for the expansion of fossil fuel production at levels that would result in 120% more emissions than what is compatible with a 1.5ºC pathway. Failure to stop expanding new oil and gas projects undermines any efforts to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.

Harjeet Singh, Strategic Partnerships Advisor to the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative said: “The energy transition is inevitable. We’re at a crossroads to deliver a managed just transition, one that is fair to workers and communities or resist and subject ourselves to economic chaos and a deeper climate crisis. BOGA is a welcome forum to intentionally tackle the climate crisis at its source and a step toward repairing the disconnect between world leaders’ calls for climate ambition while simultaneously approving new coal, oil and gas projects. We hope to see the membership go from strength to strength with robust, new commitments and support to the Global South.”

While BOGA is currently focused on ending the expansion of new oil and gas projects, recent studies have found that existing production of fossil fuels must also be phased out in order to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. International cooperation is key. Wealthy countries must lead the way in sharing the benefits and burdens of transition with poorer nations, workers, and fossil-fuel-dependent communities, many of whom will be particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

In this critical lead-up to COP26, heads of state must work together to address coal, oil and gas production directly. The launch of BOGA could be a critical step towards a broader Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty to manage a global transition away from coal, oil and gas. The proposal for a Treaty was endorsed by 2,185 scientists and academics from 81 different countries earlier this week in a letter delivered to world leaders. 

Lidy Nacpil, Coordinator of Jubilee South – Asia Pacific Movement on Debt and Development (JSAPMDD), said: “The announcement from Denmark and Costa Rica signals the world is changing. More and more governments realise that addressing climate change is intrinsically linked to stopping the expansion of the fossil fuel industry. The science cannot be any clearer. Stalling only digs a deeper hole for the most vulnerable countries trying to transition away from dangerous coal, oil and gas. Countries like Denmark and other rich historical polluters have the greatest responsibility to lead this and I hope this means they are stepping up to the plate."

Mohamed Adow, Founding Director for Power Shift Africa: "This initiative goes to the very heart of stopping the climate crisis.  There are many issues which must be addressed but the simplest is that we need to keep the vast majority of fossil fuel reserves in the ground.  Humans have got into the habit of digging up fossil fuels and burning them.  We are addicted.  But this habit will kill us if we don’t quit.  It’s great to see Costa Rica and Denmark leading the way in breaking us free from this nasty fossil fuel habit."

Pia Cazaro, Founder of Quantum Leap: "For Costa Rica and the rest of the world, leaving fossil fuels behind is an enormous opportunity to be the leaders of the new economy. The future is now."

Mitzi Jonelle Tan, convenor and international spokesperson of Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines (YACAP): “We are out of time. My country is one of the most vulnerable in the world to the climate crisis, and I grew up always afraid of the next storm that could wash away our home. World leaders' greed, especially from rich countries, have plunged us into this dark abyss and keep digging our graves in the effort to extract more fossil fuels. Now countries like Denmark say they will stop digging, but they need to do more. Global North countries need to pay reparations for all their injustices to ensure that Global South countries are able to transition and not go into debt in the process.”

About the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative

The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative is spurring international cooperation to end new development of fossil fuels, phase out existing production within the agreed climate limit of 1.5°C and develop plans to support workers, communities and countries dependent on fossil fuels to create secure and healthy livelihoods. Cities such as Los Angeles, Sydney, Toronto and Barcelona have already endorsed the Treaty with more considering motions to endorse. Over 750 civil society organisations, 2,100+ scientists and academics and 101 Nobel Laureates including the Dalai Lama have also endorsed the three pillars of the proposed Treaty.

For more information on the Initiative, please visit the website, explore our Campaign Hub and view the introduction video.

Media contacts:

Jemma De Leon, Communications Strategist, Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty
jemma@fossilfueltreaty.org
+1 909 536 9714

Viviana Varin, Senior Communications Associate, Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty
viviana@fossilfueltreaty.org
+33 6 63 48 52 67