Commonwealth Leaders Call for Global Action to Phase Out Fossil Fuels

As the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) concludes in Samoa, calls intensify for a global, swift, equitable, and well-funded phase-out of fossil fuel production.

During the meeting, eight Small Island States advocating for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty unveiled a report titled “Uncommon Wealth: Fossil Fuel Expansion in the Commonwealth Dominated by Three Wealthy Countries.” The report exposes a stark imbalance in fossil fuel extraction, underscoring the dominance of Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Despite comprising only 6% of the Commonwealth’s population, these three nations account for over 60% of emissions from extraction across Commonwealth countries since 1990.

According to Tuvalu’s Prime Minister, Hon. Feleti Teo, the commonwealth family, bears a moral duty to uphold our Paris Agreement commitments and work towards limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees. But achieving this requires collective action.

“To put it plainly—it is a death sentence for us if larger nations continue to launch new fossil fuel projects. We cannot succeed if wealthier partners’ actions contradict their commitments. The continued expansion of fossil fuels only fuels the climate crisis, directly opposing our Commonwealth Charter values,” said Hon. Feleti.

During CHOGM 2024, Commonwealth leaders appointed Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, as the incoming Secretary-General. Her mandate includes advocating for an expedited, fair, and financially supported transition from fossil fuel extraction.

Particularly, the Commonwealth’s low- and middle-income nations need support as they confront crippling debt, worsened by colonial legacies and climate-related losses. Without financial backing and debt relief from wealthier member states, these countries will struggle to fund climate resilience and a fair energy transition.

In response to pressure from Caribbean nations, Commonwealth leaders also committed to pursuing reparatory justice for the transatlantic slave trade’s enduring impacts, marking a crucial step toward addressing historical harm.

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Gillian Cooper, Political Director at the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, stressed that the former colonial states have reaped substantial benefits from fossil fuel extraction for development, disproportionately contributing to the ‘carbon budget’ overuse. Reiterating that those most affected by colonial exploitation now bear the brunt of climate change.

To address climate change, we must acknowledge the historical injustices that have exacerbated vulnerabilities in many nations today. The call for reparations from the transatlantic slave trade is inherently tied to resisting fossil fuel expansion. A Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty is essential to breaking this cycle of injustice and fostering a sustainable future,” said Gillian.

While Commonwealth states issued a major declaration on ocean protection, the communique did not address one of the greatest threats to marine life—fossil fuels. Their production alters ocean chemistry through acidification and heat stress, threatening marine ecosystems. Fossil fuel processes also disrupt critical feeding and breeding habitats, endangering global marine species.

The communique’s release coincided with a statement from Australian businessman Dr. Andrew Forrest, supporting Pacific Island nations’ climate leadership and urging others to join in advocating for a Fossil Fuel Treaty.

Attention now shifts to the upcoming UN COP29 climate talks in Azerbaijan, where the urgent transition from fossil fuels will be a focal point. Following this agenda’s recognition at COP28 and in the Pact for the Future in September, COP29 must move beyond commitment to actionable financing plans for fossil fuel phase-out.

Robust climate financing through the New Collective Quantified Goal is crucial for enabling developing nations’ transitions. A Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty would effectively complement the Paris Agreement, ensuring coordinated, equitable global efforts to end fossil fuel production.

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