Cape Town - The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative has appointed Kumi Naidoo, globally recognised South African environmental and human rights leader, as its new president.
Naidoo brings over three decades of activism and leadership experience to the role, and will help spearhead the organisation’s mission to secure a global plan for a just, financed and equitable transition away from fossil fuels.
Kumi Naidoo, whose activism has its roots in South Africa’s tumultuous political past, has been a leading voice advocating for climate justice, sustainable development, and human rights across the world. As former Executive Director of Greenpeace International and Secretary General of Amnesty International and CIVICUS, he has been at the forefront of pivotal movements shaping environmental policy and social justice.
In response to his appointment, Kumi Naidoo said: “Throughout my life, I have sought justice for those marginalised by unjust political, economic and energy systems, especially in the Global South.
“The Fossil Fuel Treaty embodies this mission — it is a movement for global justice. It recognises that to effectively address the climate, health, environmental, economic and social risks posed by fossil fuels, we must foster international cooperation for a rapid and just transition away from these harmful resources, ensuring that countries, communities and individuals in the south are not left behind.
“We must bring together world leaders who are committed to protecting what we love and have the courage to take action — the governments leading this initiative are the ones already doing that.”
The World Health Organization estimates that outdoor air pollution, largely caused by fossil fuel emissions, contributes to over 4.2 million premature deaths annually. From compromising health, security, and livelihoods to fuelling conflicts globally, fossil fuels undermine all 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The scientific and economic evidence is clear: there can be no new fossil fuels in a healthy, thriving world.
“There are enough solutions out there in the world to transition away from oil, gas and coal, but that requires countries to stop expanding these projects and start focusing on clean, safe and fair energy sources. We need bold ideas, and this is the biggest new idea there is, and just at a time when the power and deception of the fossil fuel industry are finally being exposed, and countries are beginning to realise that we need to phase out fossil fuels. The Treaty is a blueprint for how to do that in a fair and equitable way. Later is too late. The race to see who will join the growing bloc of countries at the forefront of the solution is on; and the time to act is now”, said Naidoo.
Kumi Naidoo’s strong commitment to equity and innovative approach to advocacy were celebrated by the members of the initiative’s steering committee. They emphasised that these qualities are essential as the Fossil Fuel Treaty initiative enters a critical phase on the mission to unite countries to negotiate a new, binding global plan for a rapid and fair transition away from oil, gas, and coal.
The Steering Committee also takes the opportunity to welcome a new Co-Chair, Reverend James Bhagwan, General Secretary of the Pacific Conference of Churches.
Weekend Argus