Tim Hollo, ACT Greens Federal Candidate for Canberra, has joined all six Greens Members of the Legislative Assembly in calling for a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty at the Stockholm+50 United Nations Summit next month.
The treaty would take decisive action on climate change by phasing out the use of fossil fuels, and fast-tracking solutions to transition communities dependent on fossil fuels.
Thanks to a concerted push by the Greens MLAs, last year the ACT became the highest level of government in the world to endorse a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty.
Mr Hollo said that if elected, he would draw on the knowledge and experience of his ACT colleagues to encourage his federal Labor counterparts to sign on too.
“We made the ACT the first territory, and I’d like to draw on that experience to make Australia the first country to call for the treaty.
“With polls indicating a minority parliament is increasingly likely, the Greens have put a moratorium on new fossil fuel projects at the centre of their balance of power demands.
“If Australia does what the science and Paris targets demand, putting an immediate halt on new coal and gas projects, we can rejoin the global efforts for a safe climate in a leadership role, including signing on to the fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty.”
Jo Clay MLA said: “Canberra is leading our country on climate change. With Greens in Government, we have cut emissions through using 100 per cent renewable electricity. Earlier this year, after decades of campaigning from the Greens and key advocacy groups like 350.org, the ACT Government divested from fossil fuels.
“But progressive cities like Canberra cannot do it alone. We need the Federal Government to get their head out of the sand, and address the real threat of climate change that is impacting Australian communities now.”
The letter will be delivered at the Stockholm+50 United Nations Summit, which will take place five decades after the 1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment.
