Malawi hosts High Level Dialogue on a global transition and the Fossil Fuel Treaty

Dear friends,

We are just back from a powerful gathering in Malawi on the global just transition and the Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative. We are so grateful to our incredible partners at Malawi's Coordination Union for the Rehabilitation of the Environment (CURE) for hosting us in Lilongwe for this high level dialogue held together with policymakers, researchers and civil society.

Malawi, like so many African nations, is hyper-vulnerable to the fossil-fuelled climate crisis that it did not cause. This climate injustice has played out in endless flash floods, long dry spells and cyclones that have stolen precious lives, uprooted critical infrastructure and decimated economies and communities.

The country holds important climate leadership to face this injustice such as chairing the Least Developed Countries Group (LDCs) and as an active member of the V20. Subnational governments Lilongwe (the capital city) and Mzuzu are championing the call for a Fossil Fuel Treaty.

International justice-based frameworks are needed to support this leadership, address unjust debt cycles and facilitate the finance and technology transfers needed for an equitable transition that delivers energy access for the millions facing energy poverty in Malawi and across our continent. The fossil fuel era has failed Africa immensely as energy and wealth is siphoned out of our continent and left us with the biggest energy blackouts in the world.

A Fossil Fuel Treaty must be people-powered and centered around justice for our earth and our communities to deliver the renewable energy access and potential that is most concentrated across Africa. In the words of Malawi's Principal Secretary for the Ministry of Energy, Engineer Alfonso Chikuni, "it is imperative that African nations, more specifically Malawi, have a place at the table to allow for an inclusive process of setting the terms and provisions of a Fossil Fuel Treaty that puts the needs of our vulnerable communities first."

Seble Samuel

Head of Africa Campaigns & Advocacy
Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative

IRELAND’S PIVOTAL ROLE IN A FOSSIL-FREE FUTURE

Ireland stands at a crossroads: remain locked into fossil fuel dependency or step up as a global leader in the just energy transition. The country’s continued reliance on oil, gas, and coal is holding back its ability to meet key Sustainable Development Goals, from health and gender equality to justice and sustainable communities. Ireland is already feeling the impacts of the climate crisis and relying on fossil fuels leaves the country vulnerable to unstable energy prices and supply shortages. Ireland has both the opportunity and the responsibility to take bold action, phase out fossil fuels, and accelerate progress toward a fairer, healthier, and more resilient future. 

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ADVANCING GENDER JUSTICE AND REPARATIONS IN THE ENERGY TRANSITION

African feminists gathered in Addis Ababa in the leadup to the African Union Summit to dive into this year's theme on reparations and justice for African women and girls. We teamed up with our allies at the SHINE Collab, FEMNET and WILPF to hold some powerful sessions on climate justice for Africa and intersectional reparations, with a deep dive on energy sovereignty and justice. Together we are building our collective power for feminist just transitions from fossil fuels to a justice-centered and cooperative renewable future for our continent.

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KUMI NAIDOO IN AUSTRALIA FOR KEY FOSSIL FUEL TREATY CONVERSATIONS

Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative President, Kumi Naidoo, will take the stage in Australia for The Planet Talks: Ending Fossil Fuels, presented by The Guardian (March 10), and a special conversation with Dr. Naomi Oreskes and Hon. Mike Rann (March 11). Then, in Sydney, he’ll speak at The People’s COP (March 14), focusing on how local climate action can influence COP31 and beyond. Australia’s bid to co-host COP31 alongside Pacific nations presents a crucial moment for the country to demonstrate real climate leadership.

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NEW REPORT ON GLOBAL EMISSIONS

InfluenceMap's latest update to the Carbon Majors database reveals that, from 2022 to 2023, emissions from the world’s largest oil, gas, coal, and cement producers increased—and that just 36 companies were responsible for over 50% of global fossil CO2 emissions in 2023. In the last year, the database has played an instrumental role in efforts to hold companies accountable for their contribution to climate damages—including in Vermont and New York's Climate Superfund laws. 

As companies continue to increase their emissions and ignore the climate and public health fallout, the updated data can strengthen the case for climate accountability and legal action around the world.

IN THE MEDIA

“Alex Rafalowicz, executive director of the Fossil Fuel Non-proliferation Treaty Initiative, says it's essential the new plans come in by September. That's so the UN can assess whether the plans are sufficiently more ambitious, which will then influence the negotiations at the global climate conference in Brazil in November.”

“Harjeet Singh, the global engagement director for Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, has highlighted the need for South Asia to move away from fossil fuels. In an interview with DawnNews English, Singh said South Asia has “one-fifth of the world’s population and a “huge dependence on fossil fuels for energy, job, and even debts servicing”. “That reality shapes where we are and what kind of support we need to take a step which helps us move away from fossil fuels, adopt cleaner energy, but also ensure energy access.”

“Lucas Snaije, cities co-ordinator with the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, said cities were “first responders” to the climate crisis. “Transformation is not going to happen without a paradigm shift on how we move through cities,” he said. That meant active travel (walking or cycling) and public transport in the main – and occasionally using a car, “hopefully an EV”

SOCIALS WORTH SHARING

It’s time to end the fossil fuel era

Hear from Tanaka Tekeshe (Manica Youth Assembly)) on why the Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative is imperative, including job training for girls. 

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Join Us

With more wildfires, floods, droughts and storms, we need to call for a rapid and just transition to move away from coal, oil and gas now. Will you be part of this change?

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