PRESS RELEASE – For Immediate Release: 10 November 2021

GLASGOW – Parliamentarians from the Global South recently initiated a Parliamentarians’ Call for a Fossil Fuel Free Future and are inviting their colleagues from all over the world to join them. The initiative, released today at COP26 in Glasgow, is already supported by more than 150 nationally-elected legislators from more than 30 countries around the world. 

The initiators of the call are Members of Parliament from Bangladesh, Colombia, Costa Rica, Indonesia, Kiribati, Palau, Philippines, Rwanda, South Africa and Timor Leste.

Speaking at a press conference at the COP26 in Glasgow, lead initiator Charles Santiago, a member of the Malaysian parliament said:

“As parliamentarians, we have a unique and important role to play to facilitate a swift and just transition out of fossil fuels, not just in our countries but globally. This initiative is meant to harness the power of many parliamentarians speaking as one to urge governments to take more decisive actions for a rapid, just and equitable phase out of fossil fuels.”

The Parliamentarians Call for a Fossil Fuel Free Future is urging governments to do more and go the full distance to:

• End new expansion of oil, gas and coal production in line with the best available science as outlined by the IPCC and United Nations Environment Program;

• Phase out existing oil, gas and coal in a manner that is fair and equitable, taking into account the responsibilities of countries for climate change and their respective capacity to transition;

• Commit to and pursue transformational policies and plans to ensure 100% access to renewable energy globally, support economies to diversify away from fossil fuels, and enable people and communities across the globe to flourish through a just global transition.

• Enact national budgets and fiscal policies that will support this swift and  just transition nationally and globally; Ensure the timely and adequate delivery of public, additional and non-debt creating climate finance as part of the obligations of rich, industrialized countries to address climate change

• Forge new international commitments and treaties complementing the Paris Agreement to address the urgency of a swift and just transition away from fossil fuel energy and build democratic, renewable, safe energy systems for all people and communities in line with the goal of keeping global temperature rise below 1.5 degrees Celsius and preventing climate catastrophe.

Stevenson J. Kuartei, a member of the Senate of  Palau, called on other parliamentarians to sign on to the call:

“This is an invitation and a call to action to all the colleagues, members of congress, and parliaments with whom we share this global village to join and take on this critical global aspiration for a fossil fuel free future.”

Saber Chowdhury, a member of the Bangladeshi parliament who represented the initiators during the press conference, said the initiative is urgent:

“There seems to be no end to fossil fuel production. The Civil Society Equity Review on Equitable Phase Out of Fossil Fuels cites that by 2030, the fossil fuel industry will be extracting twice as much fossil fuel as would be consistent with 1.5°C, presenting a clear and present danger.”. 

Mercy Barends, a member of the Indonesian Parliament said:

“We urge our fellow parliamentarians around the world to lend their voices in calling for a swift, just and equitable transition away from fossil fuels. We ask you to join us in solidarity to reach the climate ambition needed for a fossil fuel free future.”

Paola Vega, Member of Parliament, Colombia said:

“As with all international regulations, the responsibility to translate the agreement into concrete actions falls upon us: the legislators that adapt upon the needs and possibilities of our countries. That is our main task in the fight against climate change in order to get the necessary results."

The Parliamentarians’ Call for a Fossil Fuel Free Future is now open for signatures from other legislators around the world. It will be fully launched in 2022.  The current list of signatories is available at www.fossilfuelfreefuture.org

Matthieu Orphelin, Member of Parliament, France said:

“Today, 11 million dollars of public money are invested in fossil fuel extraction every minute! Each dollar invested in fossil fuel is a lost dollar, a dollar against future generations. Every country, every company, every investor, every government must end oil, gas and coal exploration and new exploitation right now. Not tomorrow, not in 10 years. Now!

We need concrete decisions. We need strong commitments. We need immediate actions.”

Rosa Galvez, Member of Parliament, Canada said:

“Parliamentarians have a responsibility to call on their national governments to follow science, take real climate action and demand transparency on decision-making and allocation of public funds. This responsibility is particularly important for countries like Canada which claims to be a climate champion while still providing the highest fossil fuel subsidies per capita among the G20. Fossil fuel production represents 26% of Canada's national emissions, and, if accounted for, combustion from exports would roughly double our national emissions. It is time for the government to act on its promises. It is Code Red for our planet and the window for action is closing.”

For media enquiries:
Michael Poland (Glasgow) michael@fossilfueltreaty.org +61419581748

Vivian Varin (Glasgow) viviana@fossilfueltreaty.org +33 663485267

For an up-to-date list of signatories see www.fossilfuelfreefuture.org