Baku, Azerbaijan, November 16, 2024 - At COP29, Colombia's Minister of Environment, Susana Muhamad, reaffirmed the country's commitment to the Fossil Fuels Non-Proliferation Treaty during a press conference that brought together global leaders in the field. The minister highlighted the progress achieved by the initiative, which already has the backing of 14 countries and is moving towards new phases of political mobilization at the international level.
Muhamad stressed the importance of putting people at the center of the energy transition to avoid the social and political polarization that hinders climate solutions. "The false dichotomy between social justice and environment is being exploited by authoritarian discourses that deny the climate crisis. This treaty seeks to change that narrative and promote a just transition that leaves no one behind", she said.
During COP29, Colombia's Minister of Environment, Susana Muhamad, reaffirmed the country's commitment to the Fossil Fuels Non-Proliferation Treaty, highlighting the support of 14 countries and the progress towards new phases of international political mobilization.
The minister stressed that despite progress, the global energy transition remains uneven. “While in a country like Belgium solar energy is expanding, in Africa millions of people lack access to electricity. This is not only a climate injustice, but a fertile ground for populism and denialism. We need a new global economic pact that prioritizes climate finance and promotes a just transition for developing countries”, Muhamad added.
The minister also commented on the absence of the Argentine delegation, saying, “It is worrying that they are unable to participate in this forum, where all nations should be able to debate and negotiate. Their absence reflects the denial of the problem and the defense of an economic model that benefits the powerful. This treaty promotes a multilateral process for a just energy transition”.
Experts back Fossil Fuel Treaty
Dr. Maria Neira, Director of the Department of Public Health and Environment of the World Health Organization (WHO), supported the Minister's position by emphasizing the impacts of fossil fuels on public health. According to Neira, the climate crisis is also a health crisis, with seven million premature deaths each year linked to air pollution. "In some cities, people breathe air with 400 micrograms per cubic meter of PM 2.5 particles, when the WHO recommends a maximum of five. Our lungs are paying the price for fossil fuels" , she warned.
In addition, the WHO official stressed the urgency of accelerating the transition to clean energy. "The economic cost of inaction is already being absorbed by health systems around the world. This is not just an environmental problem, it is a matter of life and death", she concluded.
WHO supports Colombia's commitment. Dr. Maria Neira, director of WHO's Department of Public Health and Environment, highlighted the critical connection between eliminating fossil fuels and improving global public health.
The meeting also included interventions from other leaders and experts who reinforced the need to address the climate crisis through a multilateral framework. Harjeet Singh, director of Global Engagement for the treaty initiative, said: “The leadership of developing countries and indigenous communities is key to addressing this climate emergency". Sustainable finance expert Jwala Rambarran called for reform of the global financial architecture to facilitate a just transition, noting that “the Global South cannot bear the cost of a crisis it did not create. Just transition is not a luxury, it is a necessity to prevent the most vulnerable communities from being left behind."
Colombia, as one of the leading countries in this initiative, will continue to advocate for resolutions at the UN General Assembly and other international forums to push for the adoption of the treaty and ensure that the Paris Agreement is an effective tool in the fight against climate change.