2021-06-02
An ACT Greens motion has passed the Legislative Assembly today, endorsing the push for a Fossil Fuel Non Proliferation Treaty, making the ACT the highest level jurisdiction in the world to do so.
The motion comes as an International Energy Agency report made it clear that to stay within a safe climate range of 1.5C, there is no room for new coal, oil or gas infrastructure, anywhere, starting now.
The vote has seen both parties of government endorse the global movement for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, meaning the ACT Government will now write to the Australian Government, urging them and other states and territories to do the same.
● The treaty is modelled on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, and would end expansion of new fossil fuel projects, phase out existing projects fairly and in line with climate science, and ensure a just transition globally, for workers, communities and countries that have been dependent on fossil fuels.
● This would mean an end to all publicly funded fossil fuel infrastructure, including rail links and the Federal Government’s new $600M gas-fired power station.
● So far municipal governments including the City of Moreland in Victoria, the City of Los Angeles, City of Vancouver and City of Barcelona have endorsed calls for the Treaty, as well as more than 400 organisations.
● The proposal for a global framework to phase out fossil fuels has been supported by 101 Nobel Prize winners, including the Dalai Lama, as well as over 1,300 scientists and academics.
Quotes attributable to ACT Greens MLA, Jo Clay:
“This treaty calls on Australia to leave fossil fuels in the ground and to stop subsidising a dead industry. It’s part of a global push to phase out fossil fuels. It will ensure a just transition and ensure that we leave no member of our community behind.
“I lived through the last fires and Smokepocalypse, but many people died. Canberrans know what the climate crisis looks and feels like. Anyone who loves our bush capital knows the threat that climate change poses to this beautiful city and everyone who lives here.
“This vote is a testament to how Canberra is leading our country on climate change. We know other cities look to us as leaders in this field. This motion paves the way for other jurisdictions around the country, and the world, to say enough is enough when it comes to fossil fuel production.
“There are better, cleaner ways to get our energy. The technology is there, all we need is to follow through.
“50 years ago the existential threat posed by nuclear weapons brought the world together behind a nuclear weapons treaty. Today the greatest threat to our existence is climate change. We need to come together again for a fossil-fuel free treaty.”