Written by: Kimberly White
The City of Newcastle has called for a global phase-out of fossil fuels.
In a recent vote, Newcastle formally endorsed the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty proposal, aligning itself with 110 other local governments across the globe urging world leaders to negotiate a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Home to the world’s largest coal port, the Australian city declared a climate emergency in 2019, committing to a just economic transition for coal mining communities, increased investment in hydrogen energy exports, and construction of large-scale renewables and storage.
“This Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty was initiated by Pacific nations who are experiencing the existential threat of climate change before many other nations, and it is very important to us being in the region that we support their initiative,” said Councillor John Mackenzie.
The motion criticized the false bravado of countries and companies claiming to be climate leaders, addressing emissions reductions and demand without also addressing fossil fuel supply and continuing to greenlight new fossil fuel exploration and expansion. The council motion also calls on the Australian government to endorse the treaty.
The City of Sydney, the Australian Capital Territory, the Mayor of Hobart, and several councils across Victoria have also endorsed the treaty, urging Australian leadership to address greenhouse gas emissions and put an end to fossil fuel expansion.
“The Australian government – the world’s third largest fossil fuel exporter – is increasingly isolated in their plans to continue expanding coal and gas extraction,” said Michael Poland, Campaign Director at the Fossil Fuel Treaty initiative. “From councils in coal regions to our Pacific neighbours, people across the world are calling for governments to plan a fast and fair phase-out of fossil fuels. Later will be too late, the Albanese government could listen to these calls and end the expansion of fossil fuels today.”
Newcastle joins an expansive global network of nations, subnational governments, and city councils united in championing the development of an ambitious international framework aimed at ceasing fossil fuel expansion and phasing out oil, coal, and gas production through managing and financing a just transition for industry workers.
Newcastle isn’t the only major fossil fuel-producing region supporting the global effort to accelerate a just transition to clean energy. During the COP28 climate negotiations in Dubai last year, Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced that the oil-dependent nation had joined the growing alliance of nations advocating for the treaty, affirming his nation’s commitment to addressing the climate crisis and a just transition to renewable energy for all.
President Petro criticized continued support of fossil fuels, stating that this support risks the extinction of life on our planet and that the world must commit to avoiding “‘omnicide.”
