Pakistan and Bahamas join the push for global pact to phase out fossil fuels

Pakistan becomes the first country in South Asia to engage with the bloc of climate-vulnerable countries to understand the contours of the proposal for a Fossil Fuel Treaty, aimed at fairly winding down fossil fuel production.

“Finance and cooperation are necessary for addressing the energy access challenges faced by countries like Pakistan,” Ms. Romina Khurshid Alam, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, noted in a statement.

“We are also joining, to analyze the pros and the cons of the proposal put forward by the 16 countries for a new international way forward - a treaty aimed at phasing out fossil fuel within a time bound framework, contingent on the provision of adequate financing and technology work.”

The group of now 16 countries across 4 continents has gained the powerful support of The Bahamas also joining the bloc.

As a climate-vulnerable nation, Pakistan faces escalating impacts, from the catastrophic flooding that submerged a third of the country in 2022 to extreme heatwaves, droughts, and glacial melting.

These underscore the urgent need for decisive action to tackle fossil fuels and address the climate crisis.

The Fossil Fuel Treaty proposal advocates for a transition rooted in equity and justice, with wealthy nations responsible for the highest emissions transitioning first and fastest while offering finance and technical support for developing and climate-vulnerable countries to transition away from fossil fuels.

This follows the second ministerial meeting of the endorsing nations recently held at COP29 in Baku, which brought together ministers and senior officials from countries spearheading the Fossil Fuel Treaty proposal.

Government representatives from the Pacific, Southeast Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and observer nations from Africa, Asia, and Europe, announced they are moving to the next phase to secure a negotiating mandate for the proposed Treaty.

Governments and organisations leading the Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative have welcomed Pakistan and the Bahamas' engagement.