All member states of the United Nations must follow Vanuatu's lead and call for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.
The fossil fuel industry is responsible for the rapidly changing climate and rising sea levels. For Pacific island nations like Vanuatu, urgent climate action is about survival.
We need to call on the United States to stand with the Pacific nations before the UN COP27 climate talks happening this November.
Last Friday, the President of Vanuatu, an island nation in the Pacific, made history by calling on nations to negotiate a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty at the UN General Assembly. Negotiating and signing a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty could be a critical step to stop all new development of oil and gas, phase out existing fossil fuel production, and ensure workers are transitioned to a greener economy in a fair way.
The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty is a binding international agreement to phase out fossil fuels, support dependent economies, workers and communities to diversify away from fossil fuels, ensure 100% access to renewable energy globally and promote a just transition that leaves no-one behind.
I urge the United States to support Vanuatu's efforts to negotiate a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, and ensure that all countries commit to phasing out fossil fuels once and for all.