GOVERNMENTS PARTICIPATING IN DISCUSSIONS ON A FOSSIL FUEL TREATY

COP27, Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt | 15 November 2022

Pacific SIDS fought hard to enshrine in the Paris Agreement the global goal to limit average temperature rise to below 1.5 degrees C. There is now overwhelming scientific evidence that existing fossil fuel reserves – those which private corporations and governments currently intend to extract and sell – would lead to a significant overshoot of 1.5 degrees if consumed. 

It is increasingly clear that the current global economic and climate change frameworks are failing to constrain fossil fuel extraction at a rate consistent with the global goal. However, the scale of the challenge to rapidly phase out fossil fuels should also not be underestimated. Developing countries must navigate this challenge while at the same time adapting to the negative and intensifying impacts of climate change.

To date, there has been very little discussion about how to navigate a rapid, global phase out of fossil fuels while continuing to sustainably develop. This discussion, hosted by the Governments of Tuvalu and Vanuatu provided an opportunity for Ministers/Heads of Delegation to explore the possible components of what a Just Transition in the Pacific can look like, both in terms of action needed at the domestic level and the global level.

This High Level Event Featured:

- Ngedikes Olai Uludong, former Ambassador of Palau and lead AOSIS negotiator
- Hon. Kausea Natano, Prime Minister, Tuvalu
- Tzeporah Berman, Chair of the Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative
- Ambassador Tomas Anker Christensen, Climate Ambassador Denmark, Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance

Port Vila, Vanuatu | 15-17 March 2023

Scientific evidence shows that existing fossil fuel reserves – those which private corporations and governments currently intend to extract and sell – would lead to a significant overshoot of 1.5 degrees if consumed. To date, current international climate change frameworks have not constrained fossil fuel extraction at a rate consistent with the global temperature goal. 

The transition from fossil fuels also poses a significant challenge for many nations, and will require an economic transition to secure alternative sources of revenue, as well as new opportunities for workers and fossil fuel dependent communities. Many non-fossil fuel producer economies depend on the use of fossil fuels for energy production, domestic and international transport, and shipping. Countries must navigate this challenge while at the same time adapting to the negative and intensifying impacts of climate change.  

This second Pacific Ministerial Dialogue on Pathways for the Global Just Transition provides an opportune moment to bring together the region’s environment, energy, climate change and finance Ministers to build towards regional solidarity around a managed phase out of fossil fuels and other Pacific initiatives linked to a just transition. This Dialogue was hosted by the Governments of Vanuatu and Tuvalu. The meeting was organised around three core themes:

- Theme 1: Fossil Fuels and the Pacific
- Theme 2: Financing a global just transition
- Theme 3: International law and governance initiatives for Fossil Fuel Supply

UN SIDS4, Antigua and Barbuda | 26 May 2024

During the fifth High-Level Dialogue on the Fossil Fuel Treaty – held during COP28 and hosted by the Governments of Vanuatu and Tuvalu - it was agreed that the next high-level meeting would exclusively involve the 12 endorsing nations. Such a meeting would aim to build closer working relationships and to involve nation states in the planning and strategizing on the way forward. It was further proposed that this would take place at the 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS 4) in Antigua and Barbuda at the end of May 2024.

The theme of SIDS 4 is Charting the course toward resilience. The UN SIDS conference – held every 10 years - is an important moment to remind the global community about the particular needs and vulnerabilities of SIDS. Small islands are ‘in the crossfires of multiple crises: climate change, the economic and social repercussions of COVID-19, and a crisis of debt’: The conference aims to build new partnerships and find solutions to ensure the resilience and prosperity of island nations. SIDS 4 is therefore the ideal moment for the first meeting of our endorsing nations – 90 percent of whom are island nations. 

The first meeting of the 12-nations endorsing the call for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty took place, the day before the start of the SIDS 4 conference. It was composed of two parts:

1. a preparatory meeting of Senior Officials
2. a Ministers Meeting of our endorsing nations. The meeting was hosted by the UN SIDS host nation, Antigua and Barbuda, alongside the Governments of Tuvalu and Vanuatu. 

New York Climate Week, New York City, USA | 19 September 2023

Scientific evidence shows that existing fossil fuel reserves – those which private corporations and governments intend to extract and sell – would lead to a significant overshoot of 1.5 degrees if consumed. Current international climate change frameworks have failed to constrain fossil fuel extraction at a rate consistent with the global temperature goal. 

The transition from fossil fuels poses a significant challenge for many nations. Countries must navigate this challenge while simultaneously adapting to the negative and intensifying impacts of climate change.  It will require an economic transition to secure alternative sources of revenue, as well as new opportunities for workers and fossil fuel-dependent communities. Many non-fossil fuel producer economies depend on the use of fossil fuels for energy production, domestic and international transport, and shipping. 

This third Ministerial Dialogue, held in the margins of the UN General Assembly, SDG Summit and Climate Ambition Summit, offered an opportunity for Heads of Government and Ministers to explore the role of the multilateral system in governing a rapid and equitable transition from fossil fuels that meets the economic and energy needs of countries globally. This Dialogue was hosted by the Prime Ministers of Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

The Dialogue centred around the following guiding topics:

- Enabling a Global Just Transition from Fossil Fuels
- Proposals for International Cooperation

Stockholm+50, Stockholm, Sweden | 1 June 2022

This breakfast and roundtable brought together environment ministers/ambassadors who were attending the Stockholm+50 Summit in a dedicated discussion on the need for international cooperation to tackle the supply side of fossil fuels. This discussion was hosted by the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty initiative, the Nordic Council, and the Stanley Center for Peace and Security.

The meeting addressed the following questions: 

- Why are fossil fuels important to Stockholm+50? 
- What kind of outcomes do we need from Stockholm+50 to express the importance of fossil fuel supply?
- With that outcome how can we take this effort forward in broader international cooperation?

Additionally, this dialogue was broken down into three topics, an introduction and a briefing, each with their own facilitator:

- Welcome and Introductions; Facilitated by Rei Tang, Stanley Center for Peace and Security
- Background Briefing: the Global Just Transition from Fossil Fuel Production and Stockholm+50; Facilitated by Tzeporah Berman, Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative
- Session 1: Pathways to international cooperation on fossil fuel production; Facilitated by Inger Anderson, United Nations Environment Programme
- Session 2: The importance of international policy on fossil fuel production in global governance for a healthy planet; Facilitated by Terhi Lehtonen, Finland
- Session 3: Stockholm+50 outcomes for fossil fuel production and beyond; Facilitated by Ambassador Odo Tevi, Vanuatu

CBD COP16, Cali, Colombia | 30 October 2024

The extraction of oil, gas and coal threatens the very fabric of life on Earth, putting our ecosystems, our climate, our cultures and our economies at risk. In biodiversity-rich regions of the Global South - from the Amazon to the Andes to the Himalayas - the survival of indigenous communities, the historic protectors of biodiversity, is severely threatened, endangering their existence as well as that of all generations, present and future.

To confront these intertwined crises, governments must rise to the challenge, taking a cue from the tireless resistance and advocacy efforts of indigenous nationalities and civil society to stop the onslaught of fossil fuel companies. The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty offers this bold and necessary framework to stop the exploitation of fossil fuels and move towards a just and sustainable future.

This High Level Briefing engaged endorsing and target countries attending COP16, and assisted to prepare them for more substantive discussion at COP29. The event included remarks from the host country of COP16, Colombia and the President of the Fossil Fuel Non Proliferation Treaty, Kumi Naidoo. 

This briefing included discussions on the rationale behind the Fossil Fuel Non Proliferation Treaty proposal, as well as financial and legal issues to be discussed at the meeting in Baku. Additionally, the briefing discussed the next steps of engaging more endorsing nation-states, the consideration of legal pathways and the consideration of financial mechanisms for the global just transition.

The Pocantico Center, Tarrytown, USA | 25-27 June 2024

More than 30 years since the establishment of the UNFCCC, climate negotiations continue to be stymied around the biggest cause of the climate crisis -  fossil fuels - and what is required for a just transition. Finance needs to shift from fossil fuels to renewables and expand rapidly into regions that need investment the most. At the same time, restrictive supply-side planning and policy is needed to constrain continued fossil fuel expansion. The Treaty Initiative seeks to fulfill this need. 

This Diplomats Retreat followed from the first meeting of Ministers and Senior Officials of the 13 endorsing nations of the Treaty Initiative, who met in Antigua and Barbuda, ahead of UN SIDS4. In particular the Retreat aims to provide more space to discuss issues raised by Endorsing Countries at SIDS4 and deepen understanding of the Treaty Initiative at technical level. 

This Retreat was hosted by the Permanent Mission of Tuvalu in partnership with the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative. It aimed to build closer working relationships between the diplomatic teams of the UN missions of the endorsing nations and to involve the technical teams of each Mission in the planning and strategizing on the way forward. 

The Retreat will comprise of two segments:, 

- Technical meeting: for with technical level experts from the UN missions
- Diplomatic briefing: technical representatives joined by UN Permanent Representatives

COP28, Dubai Expo City, United Arab Emirates | 9 December 2023

To further build common understanding and support for this important initiative, the Governments of Tuvalu and Vanuatu hosted a closed-door, High-Level Meeting at COP 28. The meeting provided government representatives with information about the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Initiative and provided an opportunity for Heads of Government and Ministers to explore the role of the multilateral system in governing a rapid and equitable transition from fossil fuels that meets the economic and energy needs of countries globally.

The Dialogue centred around the following themes and guiding questions:

- Need for a Global Just Transition from Fossil Fuels
- The challenges of transitioning from fossil fuels
- The proposal for a  Fossil Fuel Treaty and building momentum

The Dialogue additionally, included remarks and presentation from the follow:

- Heads of Delegation Tuvalu and Vanuatu
- Under Secretary-General Selwin Hart (TBC)
- Dr. Tzeporah Berman, Chair, Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative
- Ms. Nikki Reisch, Director of the Climate & Energy Program, Centre for International Environmental Law 
- Dr. Fadhel Kaboub, Associate Professor of Economics at Denison University and President of the Global Institute for Sustainable Prosperity

Kate Dooley, Kirstine Lund Christiansen, Jens Friis Lund, Wim Carton & Alister Self (2024), Nature Communications 15, Article number: 9118

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A Toolkit to Safeguard Fossil Fuel Measures from Investment Treaty Claims, Center for International Environmental Law (2024)

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Why Human Rights Protection Urgently Requires a Full and Equitable Fossil Fuel Phase Out: a paper first published in by Amnesty International (2023)

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Amy Janzwood and Kathryn Harrison (2023)

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Youba Sokona, including Yacob Mulugetta, Meron Tesfamichael, Fadhel Kaboub, Niclas Hällström, Matthew Stilwell, Mohamed Adow, and Colin Besaans

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Massive Threats to Amazon and Congo Tropical Forests and Communities From Oil and Gas Expansion - Earth InSight (2022)

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Sivan Kartha & Greg Muttit (2019), Climate Policy, 20:8, 1024-1042

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Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), Overseas Development Institute (ODI), E3G, and UNEP.

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Achakulwisut, P. and Erickson, P., Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), (2021)

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Lorenzo Pellegrinia, Murat Arsel, Martí Orta-Martínez, Carlos F.Mena, Gorka Muñoa, Energy Policy (2020), 112029

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G. B. Asheim, T. Fæhn, K. Nyborg, M. Greaker, C. Hagem, B. Harstad, M. O. Hoel, D. Lund, K. E. Rosendahl, Science (2019), 325-327

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Dan Welsby, James Price, Steve Pye & Paul Ekins, Nature (2020), 597, pages 230–234

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Centre for International Environmental Law (2022)

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Tyndall Center, University of Manchester (2022)

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