September 11,  2024, London, United Kingdom - The push for a new international treaty to speed up the move away from fossil fuels has received a boost with the news that public services union UNISON is joining the initiative. It is the largest union in the world so far to endorse the call for a global treaty for a fast and fair phase-out of fossil fuels.

Representing 1.3 million workers in public services across the United Kingdom, including energy workers, UNISON will now urge the UK government to endorse the call for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.

To keep global warming below the 1.5C target agreed nine years ago in Paris, a new international accord that specifically addresses fossil fuels is a must. A Fossil Fuel Non-proliferation Treaty would also ensure there is no further expansion of oil and gas sites, and guarantee the costs of the transition to renewable energy don’t fall on those least able to pay.

UNISON general secretary, Christina McAnea, said: “Urgent action is needed to combat the damage caused by climate change. Both in the UK and around the world, people’s health is suffering because of pollution from fossil fuels. There must be a fast, fair transition away from oil and gas, funded by the government to turn the UK into a clean, renewable energy superpower, and restore its international climate change leadership reputation.”

Tzeporah Berman, Founder and Chair of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, said: "UNISON’s support is a game-changer. It shows the UK’s largest union is firmly behind the campaign to push for the government to commit to a national energy transition. A just and financed shift from fossil fuels to clean energy is a necessity. This endorsement emphasises the call for a just transition to protect workers while shifting away from oil and gas in an equitable and fair manner. If the UK government were to endorse the principle of a fossil fuel treaty, it would join a group of 13 countries already calling for a fair and funded transition to clean energy. Workers of the world are ready, their citizens are ready, now it’s time for their leaders to take action.”

Kate Lappin, Regional Secretary for the Asia Pacific region, Public Services International (PSI), said: "PSI is proud to be the first Global Union to sign on to the Fossil Fuel non-Proliferation Treaty and delighted that one of our largest affiliates, UNISON, is supporting the initiative. Like UNISON, we know that the only way that the arc of history has ever leaned toward fairness has been when workers collectively demanded change. We can rapidly phase out fossil fuels and enjoy decent work and sustainable livelihoods - but only if we shift to publicly owned and managed renewable energy systems and an economy designed for people, not profits."