Dear Minister of State
Stop Fossil Fuels from Fuelling Conflict: Why the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty is an essential climate tool for peace
The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) has over 100 years’ experience seeking out the root causes of war and conflict, working through WILPF’s consultative status at the United Nations, and using negotiation and conciliation to bring an end to conflict.
I am writing to follow up my letter of 18th October which enclosed a copy of a recent report produced by WILPF in collaboration with the Fossil Fuel Treaty Organisation to bring to your attention the role which fossil fuels have played in shaping, exacerbating, sustaining or prolonging inter-state conflicts and violence across the world unlike any other commodity. As you know, phasing out fossil fuels is essential for a peaceful and climate-just world and the proposed Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty can play a critical role on this path – by acting as a climate tool for peace.
WILPF was delighted that COP29 was attended by the Prime Minister, the Secretary of State and yourself and our WILPF representative was pleased to join the session which you hosted in the UK pavilion. While the outcomes of the COP are disappointing it does appear that some small progress has been made. We understand that some additional countries have agreed to sign up to the FFNPT, but that the UK is still not among them.
As before, I hope that you and your teams will take the time to read the report and in particular take the proposed actions into account in your Government’s forthcoming programmes. At a time when so many countries are affected by inter-state and internal conflict, as well as increasing numbers of climate catastrophes, such action is vital. As the Minister for Women and Equality you will also be well aware of the disproportionate impact of the climate crisis on women, and how climate change and conflict simultaneously exacerbate existing inequalities.
Britain once again has a key role to play in the international arena as a leader on Climate Change and Peace, particularly at the UN General Assembly first Committee on International Peace and Security and the UN Security Council. You can also use the platforms of wider UN and multilateral processes, in particular in preparations for the next COP30 in Brazil, to present these critical links and promote the FFNPT as a mechanism for a sustainable peace.
We look forward to hearing your response.
Yours in peace
Fiona McOwan, National Secretary, for WILPF UK Executive Committee
https://fossilfueltreaty.org/research for electronic copy and other information on the FFNPT.
The Rt Hon Anneliese Dodds MP
Minister for International Development, Women and Equalities
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, King Charles Street, London, SW1A 2AH
