Countries Must Confront Fossil Fuels Head-On
Countries should directly address fossil fuels in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
According to Sergio Díaz, legal director at the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, most climate plans lack explicit goals for cutting back on oil, gas, and coal.
- Colombia and Vanuatu are rare examples of countries with climate plans that contain explicit goals for reducing fossil fuel use.
- Ignoring fossil fuels undermines countries' legal obligations under the Paris Agreement and customary international law.
Decisive commitments to reduce fossil fuel production and use would uphold countries' legal obligations and protect the environment.
Author's summary: Countries must directly address fossil fuels in their NDCs to reduce emissions.