At COP 28, a growing bloc of nations joined forces to seek a negotiating mandate for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty amid calls for a transition to renewable energy.

This treaty emphasizes the urgency to phase out fossil fuels while doubling energy efficiency and tripling the adoption of renewable energy to meet global energy needs.

So far, 16 countries supported the call for a treaty, most of which are developing nations, alongside over 130 cities.

The convention organized by the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty initiative brought together Kenyan stakeholders drawn from diverse backgrounds, including interfaith leaders, civil society, youth, and Indigenous communities.

They partnered in support of the call for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.

The treaty was curated to amplify calls for international cooperation and to facilitate an equitable and financed global transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy access for all.

The proposal for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty is anchored on three pillars: a global transition away from fossil fuels, where wealthy nations provide technical support and finance for developing nations to transition and equitably expand renewable energy access; non-proliferation, an end to the expansion of new coal, oil, and gas projects everywhere; and a fair phase-out, which requires wealthy nations to phase out existing fossil fuel production first and fastest.

According to Prince Papa, Africa Campaigner for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, the Paris Agreement was not clear on how to address the issue of fossil fuels, despite scientific evidence that burning them will push global temperatures beyond the 1.5°C threshold.

He lauds Kenya for its track record in climate leadership and urges that backing the treaty is an ideal option, as it would also help unlock international finance and technology transfer to bolster the country’s renewable energy goals.

Energy access is essential for the African continent now more than ever, with statistics showing that over 600 million people have no access to electricity, even as global calls emphasize the need to shift to clean energy.

Representing the youth was Muthoni Kariuki, President of Green Age Warriors and Miss Tourism Africa 2022.

She urged Kenya to step up and take a bold path forward by backing global efforts such as the proposed Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, describing it as a justice-based solution to the climate crisis.

“The youth are disproportionately impacted by the climate crisis. Our lives, futures, and dreams are on the line. This is why we are raising our voices louder than ever, demanding bold and lasting solutions that protect our generation and those to come,” said Muthoni.

Mr. Fredrick Njehu, Global Political Lead for Fair Share at Greenpeace Africa, emphasized that African nations are bearing the brunt of a climate crisis they did not cause.

Despite contributing the least emissions, they face the most severe and unprecedented consequences.

In light of the challenges faced on the continent and Kenya’s track record in adopting renewable energy, he stated that it is high time for a global plan to supplement the Paris Agreement by tackling the root causes of the crisis and charting the path for a fast, fair, and financed transition.

“We need our African nations at the table, shaping this solution, a Fossil Fuel Treaty that will deliver a much-needed transition to a liveable and prosperous future fueled by renewable energy,” said Mr. Njehu.

The Maasai community, led by Moses Ole Kipaliash, a Maasai community leader and environmentalist, was represented at the meeting.

Mr. Ole Kipaliash shared his journey of restoring drylands, an initiative that community members have embraced through tree planting and conservation of water resources.

He revealed that the community is willing and ready to join the treaty, making them the first Indigenous Peoples in Africa to back the call for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, joining 11 Amazonian Indigenous nations.

Ole Kipaliash highlighted how his community has, for centuries, lived in harmony with nature and developed ways to survive seasonal changes, until the impacts of climate change became severe and unpredictable.

“As the Maasai community, we have lived in harmony with nature for generations, relying on our land and animals to survive. But now the weather has changed, the rains have become unpredictable, the land is drying up, and our livestock are perishing,” he said.

“We support the call for a Fossil Fuel Treaty because we want to protect our land for future generations and stop the damage caused by pollution. We urge other communities and our leaders to stand with us and join this global effort.”

Different faith representatives also shared their contributions from the perspective of religious leadership.

Led by Hakeem Khalid, Environment and Climate Change Lead at the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) and the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya (IRCK), the focus was on protecting the environment, communities, and all creation as a moral imperative.

Hakeem reiterated that fulfilling this responsibility requires international cooperation to address the climate crisis, the greatest challenge of our time, primarily driven by the extraction and use of fossil fuels, including oil, gas, and coal.

“It is for this reason that we, the interfaith communities, stand with other stakeholders in support of the call for a Fossil Fuel Treaty, which offers a critical pathway for protecting nature by facilitating a fair and financed transition that supports the shift to a safe, clean, renewable-powered future for all,” said Hakeem.