GLOBAL – Today at COP28 in Dubai, Colombian President Gustavo Petro formally announced the country will join the call for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. In his COP28 speech President Petro was clear: “I have no doubt which position to take: between fossil capital and life; we choose the side of life”. With Colombia being the largest producer of coal and gas in Latin America, this announcement shows true global leadership towards climate justice and ending the fossil fuel era.
The fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty was an idea that was born in 2015 from small Pacific islands worried about rising sea levels and critical to the fact that the Paris Agreement does not explicitly mention the word “fossil fuels”, despite it being the main causes of climate change globally.
Peri Dias, 350.org Latin America representative at COP28:
“Colombia’s endorsement of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, becoming the 10th nation to endorse the call, is a positive path towards a just renewable energy transition. The endorsement sets a strong example for other Latin American and Global South leaders. In particular, Brazil, which will be hosting COP30, could play a more active role in the phase-out of oil, gas and coal and in urging the world to set more concrete targets.”
As a result of their demands for change, Colombians are beginning to see important concrete actions by Petro and his team to end the climate crisis. Brazil, which will take on the COP30 presidency in two years, could make this meeting a watershed moment by taking inspiration from Colombia’s commitment to ending oil, gas and coal and commit to eliminating fossil fuels.”
Media Contacts:
At COP28: Kim Bryan / [email protected] / +44 7770 881503
Remote: [email protected]