Council Signs Fossil Fuel Treaty

Published on 22 October 2021

Maribyrnong City Council has endorsed the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, which calls on governments to reduce and ultimately phase out their reliance on fossil fuels to limit the accelerating climate crisis.

Council’s name will be added to a list of more than two thousand scientists and academics from 81 countries and more than 700 organisations worldwide who have now endorsed the Treaty, including the cities of Los Angeles, Barcelona, Vancouver, Lewes Town Council in the UK, Sydney in Australia and the City of Moreland here in Melbourne.

Mayor, Cr Michael Clarke, said coal, oil and gas are responsible for almost 80 percent of all carbon dioxide emissions since the industrial revolution and without urgent intervention will continue to fuel the growing climate crisis.

“The world is beginning to recognise unprecedented levels of international co-operation will be needed to prevent the build-up of fossil fuels, phase out stockpiles and transition to safer and cleaner alternatives.

“As a member of the global community we have decided to also stand up to be counted and add our voice to the call for change,” he said.

Endorsement followed a notice of motion moved by Councillor Bernadette Thomas and is consistent with Council’s existing policies on the climate emergency - the acknowledgement in February 2019 and approval of the Climate Emergency Strategy in 2020.

“Signing the Treaty is Maribyrnong pushing our stake further into the sand,” Mayor Clarke said.

While Council does not have any direct association with fossil fuels it will be seeking to further embed its commitment in the draft Maribyrnong Climate Emergency Action Plan to address any association through others. It will also be writing to the Commonwealth Government calling on it to also support and ratify the treaty.

More information on the Treaty can be found at fossilfueltreaty.org