CITIES FOR A FOSSIL FUEL TREATY

Cities are on the frontlines of the climate emergency.

For some, this means more heatwaves and shorter cold seasons while those closer to the equator will face wetter rainy seasons and hotter dry seasons. Sea level rise threatens most coastal cities.

These life-threatening changes are happening now. In response, cities and sub-national governments around the world are making bold moves to phase out the leading cause of the climate crisis: fossil fuels.

Just as nuclear-free cities played a critical role in building momentum towards a treaty banning weapons of mass destruction, now councils around the world are uniting to call for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Find out who’s endorsed below, and access resources and support to inspire your own city to become the latest to endorse the Fossil Fuel Treaty.

105 Cities & Subnational Governments across 6 Continents

City Endorsements 
Want to push your city to do more?

Advocating for international action by endorsing the proposal for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty is a crucial way cities and subnational governments can help support a global just transition. However, there’s plenty they can also do in their own jurisdiction to help fast-track a fast and fair phase out of coal, oil and gas.

Access our cities toolkit for a database of policies we are encouraging cities around the world to implement to help support a just transition away from fossil fuels.

Cities & Subnational Campaign Resources

  • Our pitch to cities & subnational governments

    This is a helpful overview of the powerful role cities can take in calling for a Treaty and a global just transition, as well as a document you can give to mayors or councillors when first presenting the campaign to them. This can be used to approach any municipal or sub-national governments.

    Download: In English here, en español aquí, en français ici

  • Template letter to mayor or councillors

    Want to approach your city council or sub-national government encouraging them to endorse the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty? This helpful template letter can be adapted for your local context and be used to reach out to your own councillors or the mayor directly.

    Download: In English here, en español aquí, en français ici

  • Briefing for officials

    Use this document to send a more formal briefing and background note to your city officials if they are interested in endorsing the Treaty but require more information. You can also connect them with our City Coordinator at lucas@fossilfueltreaty.org if you need support with engagement.

    Download: In English here, en español aquí, en français ici

  • A guide on influencing your city or subnational government

    Based on lessons from grassroots groups in Australia who have influenced cities to take a stand against new coal mines, this guide is helpful for campaigners who are trying to influence cities, mayors and sub-national governments for the first time. Thanks to the #StopAdani campaign and Tipping Point for their work developing much of the theory behind the resource.

    Download: In English here, en español aquí, en français ici

  • Draft endorsement motion

    This draft motion has helped Vancouver, Los Angeles, New York and Barcelona draft their own motions appropriate for their local jurisdictions. This motion can be used as a template for cities, local councils and sub-national governments. Formats of municipal government motions differ significantly from region to region, so use this as a sample baseline rather than a finished product. You can also click here to download the Barcelona motion and here to download the Los Angeles motion.

    Download: In English here, en español aquí, en français ici

  • Letter from city to national government

    After they’ve endorsed, it’s best to encourage your mayor or city councillor to make sure the world knows about it. Most cities who have endorsed have sent a formal letter to their Head of State or national Climate/Energy Ministers, informing them of their endorsements and calling on them to act. Others have also put out press releases or op-eds to maximise the momentum their endorsement can generate.

    Download: In English here, en español aquí, en français ici

Talking Points & FAQ on our cities campaign

For more information asking about cities and subnational governments to support the Fossil Fuel Treaty proposal see FAQs here and talking points here in English, Spanish and French

Learn More about what a Fossil Fuel Treaty Endorsement means for cities around the World

Hear from Elected Officials on what the Fossil Fuel Treaty means for their City

“The truth is humankind is fast turning our climate into a weapon of mass destruction, one that becomes more powerful, more devastating, and more deadly with every passing year. And this is why London has joined other cities like Barcelona, Montreal, Paris, Los Angeles and others and signed the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.”
Sadiq Khan
Mayor of London and Chair of C40 Cities

“Vancouver City Council endorsed the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty unanimously because global cooperation is needed to backstop local efforts to hold the fossil fuel industry accountable for the risks they create for Canadians and people around the world.”

Adriane Carr
Vancouver Councillor

“It is necessary to take firm action on one of our principal threats, the proliferation of fossil fuels, an industry that is projected to produce 110% more emissions than what is required to limit warming to 1.5C by 2030.”
Carlo Angeles
Lima Councillor

“Our beautiful, fragile planet is overheating and we have to – we must – halt the ongoing reckless extraction and burning of fossil fuels, while we still have the chance.”
Paul Koretz
Los Angeles Councillor