London, 24 June 2025, 9am  -As the London Climate Action Week enters its fourth day, momentum is building for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty in the UK, with two more trade unions joining the call for the global plan to foster international cooperation for an equitable transition from fossil fuels.

The University and College Union (UCU) and Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU) representing the education and food sectors, join a list of trade unions representing over 30 million workers globally, backing the call for a Fossil Fuel Treaty, including the UK’s largest trade union UNISON, and the National Education Union, the UK’s largest teaching union. The call for a Treaty has also been endorsed by Public Services International (PSI), a global federation of 750 trade unions from 154 countries. 

The endorsements underscore the involvement of workers and trade unions as essential to achieving a truly just and fair transition to sustainable energy that reflects the needs and protects the rights of workers. They also send a strong signal to the Labour Government, which has pledged to end the issuance of new offshore oil and gas licenses and proposed an international Clean Power Alliance, to step up measures to phase out fossil fuels faster.

The announcement comes in the wake of Mayor Sadiq Khan being appointed Special Envoy for Fossil Fuel Free Cities for a Fossil Fuel Treaty, and days after British trip hop collective Massive Attack and the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham backed the call for a Fossil Fuel Treaty. These developments point to the growing global and multi-sectoral movement for a Fossil Fuel Treaty, including 17 nations now participating in discussions on a Treaty. 

As stakeholders convene in London to deliberate on local and global climate solutions, on the back of the hottest year on record, world leaders can no longer ignore the need for a legally binding Fossil Fuel Treaty to address the root cause of the climate crisis and deliver a fast, financed, and fair transition from coal, oil and gas.

Jo Grady , General Secretary, University and College Union(UCU): “The UCU is proud to have endorsed the call for a Fossil Fuel Treaty. As the UK's largest union for university and college staff, we know that we should listen to the climate scientists - many of whom are our members - who tell us we face catastrophic climate change if we do not have a fast and fair plan to phase out fossil fuels. We call for governments to get together to come up with such a plan - they should listen to the scientists, not the climate change deniers and delayers.” 

Sarah Woolley, General Secretary, Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU): “The BFAWU recognises that climate change is a trade union issue and that workers need to be at the forefront of solutions required to transition to a fully decarbonised economy, not left behind. Our members bake food in industrial ovens powered by an energy system that is still powered by fossil fuels and that has to change. That is why we have endorsed the call for a Fossil Fuel Treaty to bring countries together to agree a plan to phase out fossil fuels to prevent catastrophic climate change, and make sure the voices of workers are heard at the table during the making of that plan to ensure a just and fair transition.”

Ken Penton, UK Advisor, Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative: “It is fantastic that two more UK unions have endorsed the call for Governments from around the world to come together to develop a fast and fair plan to phase out fossil fuels to avoid catastrophic climate change. BFAWU and UCU members know that climate change is happening now and will have a devastating impact on working people and the communities they live in around the world if we don’t speed up the move away from climate change-causing coal, oil and gas. A Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty is the mechanism we need to protect all our futures.”

Alexandre Naulot, EU Campaigner, Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative: “As the climate crisis deepens, the shift away from fossil fuels is no longer a question of if, but how. For the UK to align with its climate commitments and regain the trust of the international community, it must actively resist the fossil fuel agenda gaining ground in the US, end fossil fuel finance, support the global transition and stand with nations working to advance a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. We welcome the support of UCU and BFAWU, as trade unions must be at the heart of this process of developing the proposed Treaty, to help shape robust transition plans, defend labour rights, and build global solidarity that leaves no worker behind.”

The proposal for a Fossil Fuel Treaty currently has the backing of the European Parliament, WHO, over 4000 civil society organisations, over 3,000+ scientists and academics, 101 Nobel laureates, hundreds of health professionals, a Vatican Cardinal and thousands of religious institutions, a growing number of grassroots organisations, 11 Amazonian Indigenous nations, thousands of youth activists, over 130 cities and subnational governments including London, more than 800 Parliamentarians across the world and a growing number of businesses.