An introduction to the
Challenges to a fossil fuel phase out in Africa
THE NEED FOR INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
Countries capacity to phase out fossil fuels, and the difficulty of their transition, varies globally.
Some countries cannot transition on their own. Others are in a position to transition fastest, or even provide support to others.
International cooperation is essential to manage this transition in a manner that is fast and fair.
Yet there is currently no international mechanism to manage that cooperation.
‘Stranded fossil fuel assets, reduced revenues, crashing oil prices and growing national debt and government deficits will likely generate a dangerous ripple effect leading to massive unemployment and rising poverty, locking countries into a vicious cycle of poverty for decades to come.’
3 PILLARS OF THE PROPOSED FOSSIL FUEL TREATY
A Just Transition
Help countries move their economies away from fossil fuels, including technical and financial support for nations with less capacity to transition.
Non-Proliferation
Stop making the climate crisis worse by ending the expansion of any new coal, oil and gas production and infrastructure.
A Fair Phase Out
Phase out existing fossil fuel production to limit warming to below 1.5ºC, with wealthy nations moving first and fastest.
Taras Vyshnya / Shutterstock
660+ nationally elected officials from more than 84 countries
5 phases towards a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty
�Building the �movement
– Grow campaign, engaging the public, key movements, civil society and media��– Enlist champions - celebrities, scientists, faith leaders, Nobel Laureates, health leaders etc��– Expand research & evidence base��– Stigmatise fossil fuels as weapons of mass destruction��– Build support for the demand��– Design Treaty principles
�Build political �buy in
– Support from first mover countries. Vanuatu, Tuvalu��– Support from UN agencies. WHO, UNSG��– Build consensus in regional groupings. Pacific Islands Forum, Nordic Council��– Convene governments in high-level dialogues. Stockholm+50, COP27, COP28��– Use existing fora to put on political radar. UNGA, UNFCCC, BOGA, UNEA��– Domestic pressure via call from cities, subnationals, MPs�
�Formalising the �multilateral process
– Convene working group of diplomats, e.g. 'Friends of the Treaty’ ��– UN Resolutions on the topic of fossil fuels
�– UN outputs calling for governance of fossil fuels, Global Commission, UNSG Report, HLAB on Effective Multilateralism, etc��– Securing formal negotiating mandate inside or outside UN
– Monitor progress of non-proliferation, phase out and just transition under the Treaty, inc. via the Global Registry��– Keep up pressure to ensure countries meet their obligations under the Treaty��– Campaign for more countries to become members��– Work with ally countries in meetings + negotiations of Treaty bodies
See details on legal pathways towards stronger global governance of fossil fuels at fossilfueltreaty.org/legal-pathways-briefing
– Negotiations likely several multi-week meetings over 12-24 months
– Advise countries inside & campaign from outside to on appropriate text, ensure Treaty is ambitious enough, meets 3 pillars and principles
– Ratification of a Treaty on fossil fuels��
Hold countries �to account
Negotiating the
Treaty
For more information, please contact: