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Lilongwe has achieved a milestone by becoming the first African capital to sign the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Fossil Fuels, demonstrating its bold commitment to tackling climate change.
The two Malawi cities have joined forces with Mzuzu to become climate champions, advocating for a global shift away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energy. With Malawi holding the Chair of the Least Developed Countries (LDC) Group, the support of the two cities is a powerful statement in the fight for a sustainable future.
The move by Lilongwe and Mzuzu, which together have more than 1.2 million residents, comes as Malawi and other vulnerable countries bear the brunt of climate change, which is largely driven by the consumption of fossil fuels. As global leaders push for renewable energy, Malawi’s capital has shown its commitment to climate action, in line with the growing global movement to phase out fossil fuels.
“We are ready to play our part in making Lilongwe a fossil fuel-free zone,” said Lilongwe City Council Deputy Mayor Ruth Chingwalu. “Our country is vulnerable to climate change caused by fossil fuels, which is having a devastating impact on our communities. Urgent action at all levels and international cooperation are essential to ensure a safe and livable future for all of us.”
Mzuzu Mayor Kondani Nyasulu echoed the sentiment, stressing the importance of addressing the root causes of climate change. “In order to achieve the Malawi Agenda 2023 goals and achieve the required economic and social transformation, the City Council must take a faster, deeper and more ambitious approach to address climate change and greenhouse gas emissions. Mzuzu City Council hopes to join others through the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty to phase out coal, oil, gas extraction and thin plastic production.”
Malawi’s climate vulnerability is evident in the country’s history of natural disasters, with 19 major floods and seven droughts in the past fifty years. These climate disasters are exacerbated by the global expansion of fossil fuel extraction, responsible for nearly 90% of carbon emissions in the past decade. In Lilongwe, where 76% of residents live in informal settlements, the impacts of climate change are particularly severe, with floods causing widespread displacement, destruction and loss of life.
By signing the treaty, Lilongwe and Mzuzu are positioning themselves as climate leaders despite their low greenhouse gas emissions, which mainly come from the transportation sector. Their action sends a strong message to other cities and countries, urging them to support the Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative. This proposed legal mechanism aims to end the expansion of fossil fuels, achieve a fair phase-out of fossil fuels, and promote the transfer of finance and technology needed for a fair energy transition.
“We have too much sunshine, wind and water on our continent to continue deepening fossil fuel extraction,” said Seble Samuel, Head of Africa Campaigns and Advocacy at the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative. “Lilongwe and Mzuzu’s call for a fossil fuel treaty should be echoed across Africa to deliver a people-centred, equitable transition to renewable energy that delivers energy sovereignty and climate justice for our people and our continent.”
Environmentalists in Malawi also praised the city’s support for the treaty. Steven Derreck Chisendenji, a prominent environmentalist, said: “The environmental debt caused by fossil fuels must be addressed now, or nature will declare us bankrupt. We hope that the support of the mayors of Lilongwe and Mzuzu for the treaty will encourage other cities and countries across the continent to follow suit and build greater support for the treaty for people and nature.”
The global call for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty is growing, with 13 nation states, more than 110 cities and local governments, 2,500 civil society organizations, more than 3,000 scientists and academics, 101 Nobel laureates and at least 600 parliamentarians supporting the proposal. With cities like Lilongwe and Mzuzu taking the lead, the call for a just and sustainable future is growing stronger.
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