Bringing fossil fuels centre stage to tackle the dual crises: Climate change and biodiversity loss
(Pictured: Pascal Mirindi, Laura Muñoz, Alexis Greffa, Amarilys Llano)
Just days after the close of COP16 of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), we’re reflecting on both achievements and missed opportunities in addressing the intertwined crises of biodiversity, climate, and justice.
At COP16 in Cali, we saw the formal recognition of Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities as biodiversity guardians—an essential step towards justice. Yet, without addressing fossil fuels in the final agreement, a critical opportunity was missed to ensure a real "Peace with Nature."
At CHOGM in Apia, Samoa, eight Small Island states boldly championed a fossil-free future with the release of Uncommon Wealth, a report spotlighting how fossil fuel expansion by Australia, Canada, and the UK—just 6% of the Commonwealth’s population—drives 60% of its emissions.
This month’s newsletter emphasises the importance and the power of South-South solidarity, from Tanzania to Cali, where communities are rising together against colonialism.
Across the Global South, the pursuit of climate justice, peace, and a just transition is a shared fight, a collective vision, and a path toward resilience and dignity.
Andrés Gómez Head of Latin America and the Caribbean for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty
The 16th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Cali, Colombia closes without mentioning fossil fuels, leaving intact one of the biggest threats to biodiversity and climate: the extraction and burning of oil, gas and coal.
Although indigenous peoples and Afro-descendant communities were recognised as guardians of biodiversity and geoengineering was rejected, the fossil industry remains the “elephant in the room.”
Expansion of fossil fuels is a “death sentence” for island nations
At the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Apia, Samoa, eight Small Island states made a powerful stand for a fossil free future with the release of a new report “Uncommon Wealth: Fossil Fuel Expansion in the Commonwealth Dominated by Three Wealthy Countries”.
The report shines a light on the staggering fossil fuel expansion by Australia, Canada, and the UK—responsible for 60% of Commonwealth extraction emissions, despite being only 6% of its population.
We were so honoured to be among activists building our collective power, sharing our stories & dancing in solidarity for demilitarised, feminist, fossil free, resilient, abundant and joyful new worlds at the Climate Justice Camp in Tanzania.
We hold immense gratitude to everyone who was there and for our allies. We held powerful sessions together on south-south resistance to extractivism from Africa to Abya Yala, on busting fossil fuel fallacies in Africa.
Throughout the Season of Creation, faith communities worldwide came together to advocate for a Fossil Fuel Treaty, highlighting humanity’s sacred role as stewards of creation. In Kenya, the Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative partnered with the Laudato Si’ Movement and GreenFaith to host an interfaith media briefing where interfaith leaders called on the Kenyan government to join the bloc of nations calling for a Treaty. Following the briefing, a powerful interfaith procession of faith leaders and climate activists was held in Nairobi to reinforce this message.
Beyond Kenya, Laudato Si’ members held actions in Nigeria and Madagascar and Australian Religious Response to Climate Change further amplified the interfaith call for a Treaty.
“Colombia became the first significant fossil fuel producer to join an alliance of nations calling for a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty at the December meeting. President Gustavo Petro’s administration is pushing to ban fracking as it tries to phase out coal, oil and gas, pledging to make biodiversity the basis of its wealth in the post-fossil fuels era.”
“Tuvalu’s Prime Minister, Feleti Teo, alongside senior officials from Vanuatu and Fiji, backed a new report from the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, which highlights the significant role Australia, Canada and the U.K. play in global emissions.”
SOCIALS WORTH SHARING
Building an Amazon free of fossil fuels
“Amazon Free of Fossil Fuels and all forms of extractivism” brought together dozens of indigenous nationalities, as well as allied organizations and institutions to declare: The Amazon is a territory of life, not a sacrifice zone!
Tuvalu’s Prime Minister Feleti Teo emphasized the urgent need for global action on climate change, especially as Australia continues to push coal and gas exports—despite being one of the world’s largest fossil fuel exporters.
