Nairobi, 3 June 2025 - This Tuesday, in the lead-up to World Environment Day, Kenyan stakeholders drawn from diverse backgrounds including interfaith leaders, civil society, youth and Indigenous communities joined forces in support of the call for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, a bold new proposal that calls for international cooperation to facilitate an equitable and financed global transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Among them was a section of the Maasai community from Kajiado County, whose powerful backing of the Fossil Fuel Treaty marks a historic move, making them the first Indigenous Peoples in Africa to back the call for a Fossil Fuel Treaty, joining 11 Amazonian indigenous nations.

They emphasised the critical role that Kenya, as a regional climate leader, can play by joining the bloc of 16 nations participating in discussions for a Fossil Fuel Treaty, to help shape the terms of an international mechanism that prioritises the needs of the most climate vulnerable nations. The rallying call, highlights growing momentum in the global movement for a Fossil Fuel Treaty. In addition to 16 nation states that are engaged in discussions for a Fossil Fuel Treaty, the proposal already has the backing of over 130 cities and subnational governments, among them Lilongwe and Freetown, over 1000 parliamentarians from 96 countries, over 4000 organizations and institutions, including the World Health Organisation, the European Parliament, Indigenous nations and trade unions representing over 30 million workers.

As the world grapples with escalating climate impacts, driven primarily by the extraction and use of oil, coal and gas, the countries and communities that have contributed the least to the crisis bear the brunt of its impacts, necessitating the proposed legally binding mechanism aimed at a fair and financed transition to renewable energy.

Frederick Njehu - Global Political Lead, Fair Share at Greenpeace Africa
“Our African nations are bearing the brunt of a climate crisis that they’ve not caused. In spite of these unjust circumstances, countries such as Kenya are leading the shift to renewable energy. With the right international mechanisms in place, much more can be achieved to support these efforts and the global transition. It’s time for a global plan to supplement the Paris Agreement by tackling the root cause of the crisis and charting the path for a fast, fair and financed transition. We need our African nations at the table, shaping this solution - a Fossil Fuel Treaty that will deliver a much needed transition to a liveable and prosperous future fueled by renewable energy.”

Moses Ole Kipaliash - Maasai Community Leader and Environmentalist
“As the Maasai community, we have lived in harmony in nature for generations, relying on our land and animals to survive. But now the weather has changed and the rains have become unpredictable, the land is drying up and our livestock are perishing. We support the call for a Fossil Fuel Treaty because we want to protect our land for future generations and stop the damage caused by pollution. We urge other communities and our leaders to stand with us and join this global effort.”

Hakeem Khalid - Environment And Climate Change Lead, Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) and the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya (IRCK)
“As faith communities, we recognize the protection of our environment, our communities, and all creation as a moral imperative. Fulfilling this responsibility requires international cooperation to address the climate crisis, the greatest challenge of our time, primarily driven by the extraction and use of fossil fuels, including oil, gas, and coal. It is for this reason that we, the interfaith communities, stand with other stakeholders in support of the call for a Fossil Fuel Treaty, which offers a critical pathway for protecting nature by facilitating a fair and financed transition that supports the shift to a safe, clean, renewable-powered future for all.”

Muthoni Kariuki - President, Green Age Warriors and Miss Tourism Africa 2022
"The youth are disproportionately impacted by the climate crisis. Our lives, futures, and dreams are on the line. This is why we are raising our voices louder than ever, demanding bold and lasting solutions that protect our generation and those to come. We urge our country to step up and chart a bold path forward by backing global efforts like the proposed Fossil Fuel Treaty, a justice-based solution which will address the climate crisis.”

Prince Papa - Africa Campaigner, Fossil Fuel Non-proliferation Treaty Initiative
“With its track record of climate leadership, including the bold target of 100% renewable energy, our country is uniquely positioned to lead the continent in championing transformative climate solutions. Supporting the call for a Fossil Fuel Treaty would not only cement Kenya’s leadership but align with our national ambitions. A Treaty would also help unlock international finance and technology transfer that would bolster our renewable energy goals. This is an opportunity for Kenya to shape this proposed global mechanism, to ensure it prioritizes the needs of Africa and other vulnerable regions.  It is important for Kenya to back the call for a Treaty and join the 16 nations participating in discussions for a Fossil Fuel Treaty, for the sake of our collective future.”

The proposal for a Fossil Fuel Treaty is anchored in three pillars - a global transition away from fossil fuels where wealthy nations to provide technical support and finance for developing nations to transition and equitably expand renewable energy access, non-proliferation – an end to the expansion of new coal, oil and gas projects everywhere and a fair phase out which would require wealthy nations to phase out existing fossil fuel production first and fastest.