European Parliament leads push for a new treaty to curb the expansion of fossil fuel projects

The European Parliament has called on countries to develop a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty – a major development in the global push to end the expansion of fossil fuel projects.

EIA welcomes this resolution passed today (20 October) which outlines the Parliament’s demands for the UN CoP27 climate summit in Egypt next month.

As well as the push for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, the EU is also calling for countries to phase out fossil fuels as soon possible, halt all new investments in extraction and end fossil fuel subsidies.

Coal-fired power plant

Today’s action adds to a wave of recent diplomatic support. The President of Vanuatu, the President of Timor-Leste, the Vatican and the World Health Organisation have already called for the global energy system to be urgently transformed.

EIA Climate Campaigner Kim O’Dowd said: “The science is clear – even without any new fossil fuel expansion, there is already more coal, oil and gas under production to take global heating well beyond our global climate target of 1.5ºC.

“It is urgent to end the fossil age. Today’s call from the European Parliament is a major step in the right direction.”

Coal-fired power station in the UK

However, the EU’s vote needs to be transformed into actions. Many European nations have the capacity to transition away from fossil fuels faster than other countries around the world.

O’Dowd added: “The European Union must enact the pillars of the Treaty (end expansion, phase out and enabling a global just transition) within domestic policy as a matter of urgency.

“Right now, many European nations are pivoting from importing Russian gas to importing from, for example, Algeria, Nigeria or Azerbaijan, despite the impact on climate, human health and local communities, instead of investing in new renewable energy sources.

“This call is a key opportunity for nation states to support the development of a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty to manage a global and just transition.