Burnaby City Council voted unanimously to endorse the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, recognizing the existential threat posed by climate change and the urgent need for our society to transition away from fossil fuels.
“In 2019, at the urging of Burnaby residents, City Council recognized that we are in the midst of a climate emergency and committed to a transformative plan to drastically reduce carbon emissions in our community,” said Mayor Mike Hurley. “But to avoid the worst effects of climate change, it is clear that the global community must support a rapid and just transition away from fossil fuels. That’s why the City of Burnaby is proud to endorse the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.”
The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty calls on governments, corporations and individuals to support three key goals:
- Non-Proliferation: Prevent the proliferation of coal, oil and gas by ending all new exploration and production;
- Fair Phase-Out: Phase out existing production of fossil fuels in line with the 1.5C global climate goal; and
- Just Transition: Fast-track real solutions and a just transition for every worker, community and country
Councillor Joe Keithley brought forward a motion to endorse the treaty at a regular council meeting on January 24.
“Thank you to the Burnaby residents and local activists who continue to advocate for our leaders to take decisive action to transition away from harmful fossil fuels,” said Councillor Keithley. “We’re proud to be adding our voices to the international ground swell of support for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.”
Burnaby is the fifth B.C. municipality to endorse the treaty, joining the City of New Westminster, the City of Vancouver, the District of North Vancouver and the District of West Vancouver. Over 1,000 organizations and businesses, and over 150,000 individuals have also signed the treaty.
Burnaby’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 aligns with the targets set by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to keep global temperature increases to a maximum of 1.5 degrees Celsius. These targets are also consistent with targets set at the regional, provincial and national levels.
Learn More: Burnaby.ca/climateaction
Media Contact:
Chris Bryan
Manager, Public Affairs
Public Affairs Office
604-570-3616 | [email protected]