Samoa joins call for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty

December 4, 2023 – Dubai – As climate negotiations at COP28 in Dubai continue, Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa announced that Samoa has formally joined the bloc of nation-states seeking a negotiating mandate for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. Samoa’s announcement comes after the President of Palau, Surangel Whipps Jr. and Colombian President Gustavo Petro formally endorsed the Fossil Fuel Treaty in recent days at the UN Climate Talks. The proposal is now backed by 11 nation-states from 4 continents.

Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster, Samoa’s Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, said: “For myself, and also for Samoa, we see this as a very important initiative, and we do want to join. This is important. If we’re going to talk about a transition and a fossil fuel phase out this is a mechanism we need. We will join this initiative and we want to continue to advocate in ways that provide the mechanism so that we can continue to have space that will enable us to really put words into actions.”

Located in the Pacific region, Samoa faces harsh risks from the impacts of climate change due to its low-lying islands. Samoa’s proportion of renewable electricity generation, at 38%, is one of the highest in the Pacific. However, Samoa will need to commission a significant amount of new renewable generation to meet its laudable renewable electricity target of 100% by 2025.

With this bold move, the Pacific Island state of Samoa joins a growing bloc of countries  – including Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Tonga, Fiji, Niue, the Solomon Islands, Antigua and Barbuda, and Timor-Leste, Palau and Colombia – who are spearheading a push to secure a mandate to negotiate a new international mechanism to manage a phase out of fossil fuels, and finance a just and equitable global transition away from oil, gas and coal.

Samoa’s Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster speaking at COPS28 in Dubai.

Ralph Regenvanu, Vanuatu’s Minister for Climate Change Adaptation, Energy, Environment, Meteorology, Geohazards and Disaster Management, welcomed the announcement, saying: “We warmly welcome Samoa as the 11th nation to join the global call for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. This announcement is a significant milestone in our collective journey towards a sustainable and resilient future. The Pacific region has long been at the forefront of climate advocacy, facing the harsh realities of climate change. Samoa’s commitment underscores the shared Pacific determination to address the root causes of this crisis. Together, we reinforce the Pacific’s climate leadership, demonstrating that our small island nations are not just on the frontlines of climate impacts but also at the forefront of global solutions. This unity amplifies our call for urgent action, as we work hand in hand to secure a safer and more sustainable planet for all.”

Auimatagi Joe Moeono-Kolio Chief Advisor (Pacific) of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, said: “As a proud Samoan, today’s announcement is a moment to be proud of. Our nation is one of many in our region on the frontlines of climate change but today our leaders have chosen to continue being at the forefront of bold climate action. Samoa is the 11th country to officially join the call for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty and the 3rd country to do so – after Palau and Colombia – since the start of COP28. Samoa’s commitment illustrates the global demand for decisive action to tackle the climate crisis, and this wave of endorsements underlines the growing momentum and urgency of this crucial initiative. World leaders currently involved in climate negotiations have a responsibility to avoid the fossil fuel trap of net-zero solutions and instead join Palau, Colombia and Samoa in their efforts to secure a negotiating mandate for a Fossil Fuel Treaty, the binding plan needed to halt the expansion of new coal, oil and gas projects and manage a global transition away from fossil fuels.”

Alex Rafalowicz, Executive Director of the Fossil Fuel Non Proliferation Treaty said: “Samoa’s leadership on issues of climate justice is profound. Their recent role chairing Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) demonstrates their knowledge and commitment on the issue of climate change. They are now bringing that experience and commitment to the call for a Fossil Fuel Non Proliferation Treaty. Samoa is a part of a growing wave of momentum for this innovative solution to the world’s most pressing crisis – the climate crisis which is a fossil fuel crisis.”

Along with the group of nine nations, the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty proposal is also supported by the World Health Organization, the European Parliament, 101 Nobel Laureates, 600+ parliamentarians in 83 countries,  2,100 civil society organisations, 3,000 scientists and academics and over 90 cities and subnational governments, including most recently the State of California, the fifth largest economy in the world, and 9 Peruvian Indigenous Nations.

In this crescendo of support for international cooperation, the movement for a Fossil Fuel Treaty stands stronger than ever, heading to more major endorsements by the end of COP28, appearing as a testament to the growing momentum behind the push for a fast and fair phase out of coal, oil and gas.