Scots Makar Kathleen Jamie, A.L. Kennedy and Sara Sheridan call for Scottish Government to back end to fossil fuels

Date: 14 November 2024
Campaigns: Climate

Scotland’s Makar Kathleen Jamie, and writers A.L. Kennedy and Sara Sheridan have joined figures across Scotland in signing an open letter which urges First Minister John Swinney to back calls for a fast and fair end to fossil fuels.

The open letter states that international cooperation and “an agreement to stop new fossil fuel extraction, phase out current production and manage a global transition from oil, gas and coal” in a “fast and fair” manner is needed to address the urgency of the ongoing climate crisis. As COP29 global climate talks continue, the letter states that the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, championed by some of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries, is urgently needed to achieve this.

The proposed treaty would commit countries to ending the expansion of fossil fuels and managing a globally just transition away from coal, oil and gas. The proposal is being made by 14 governments around the world including Colombia – who called for the treaty at COP28 – as well as a group of Pacific Island nations and Caribbean countries, including Fiji, Antigua and Barbuda, and Samoa. More nations are expected to back the treaty proposal during the course of the ongoing COP29 climate talks.

Additionally, 120 cities and subnational governments around the world have backed calls for the treaty, including Edinburgh, Birmingham and London in the UK.

Global Justice Now Scotland, Paperboats writers’ collective and 13 other groups today handed in the letter at the Scottish Parliament, accompanied by demonstrations. Paperboats Writers Collective floated paper boats – with messages from the public urging the First Minister to take action – on the pond outside parliament, the North Sea Knitters laid out a 20m red scarf to represent the red line of temperature rise that the world must stay below, while campaigners held up letters spelling out: “Scotland: say aye to a fossil fuel treaty”.

Scotland was the first global north country globally to commit funding for loss and damage, caused by climate change, announced during COP26 in Glasgow.

As COP29 continues, climate campaigners across the world have been critical of the failure of COP processes over the course of almost thirty years to acknowledge the leading role fossil fuels have played in causing the climate crisis – and for failing to have an action plan in place for their end.

Supporters of the Fossil Fuel Treaty state that the treaty would provide a complementary and needed mechanism to directly address this omission.

Liz Murray, head of Scottish campaigns at Global Justice Now, said:
“The world urgently needs a fair and fast transition away from fossil fuels and to renewable energy. Countries most impacted by the climate crisis, yet least responsible for it, are leading the call for a Fossil Fuel Treaty to make this happen and Scotland must back their proposal. The treaty would give a global roadmap for an energy transition that is fair and leaves no community, country or worker behind. It’s time for Scotland to stand up for our collective future.”

Jan Stacey, from Paperboats writers’ collective, said:
“The Scottish writers, poets and storytellers of Paperboats are proud to add our voices to call for the First Minister to back the Fossil Fuel Treaty. In this climate emergency, Scotland’s story must be one of being on the side of a livable planet – and the Fossil Fuel Treaty offers a fair, just and practical way for global communities to come together to do that.”

Notes to editors  

1. Photos from Thursday’s demonstration are available to download at: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/rtpsfzmrox6zho7xj06yi/AKRBaYPGe7m92hx-2yR5ROM?rlkey=fe1glid11zkt8mc614v085o11&st=qpp40xt7&dl=0 (Credit: Callum Bennetts / Maverick Photo Agency)
2. The open letter is available to view online at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1ka3HJKZjYpuTqoRMVN9vwcQTnNkp0T_OQf5RT0BgMUM/edit