Benjamin Millar
Maribyrnong Council has thrown its voice behind calls to phase out fossil fuels.
The council has officially 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.
Maribyrnong will be added to a list of more than 700 organisations and two thousand scientists and academics from more than 80 countries who have now endorsed the Treaty, including the cities of Los Angeles, Barcelona, Vancouver, Sydney and the City of Moreland.
Mayor 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,” he said.
“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.”
Cr Clarke said endorsement followed a notice of motion moved by Councillor Bernadette Thomas and is consistent with the 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,” Cr Clarke said.
While the 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
