Keep Fossil Fuels in the Ground: A Declaration for the Health of Mother Earth - Center for International Environmental Law

The 'Keep Fossil Fuels in the Ground: A Declaration for the Health of Mother Earth' is a November 2015 statement signed by numerous international organizations and activists. It calls for an immediate end to fossil fuel extraction, exploration, and subsidization to address the climate crisis and protect the rights of nature and Indigenous peoples, advocating for a transition to 100% renewable energy.

• The document asserts that the extraction, transportation, and consumption of fossil fuels have caused significant damage to the environment and all life forms, acting as a primary driver of the climate crisis and mass extinction. It notes that these harms disproportionately affect those who did not profit from the systems causing the crisis and lack the resources to adapt, specifically mentioning frontline communities and those directly injured by fossil fuel use.
• To prevent the worsening of the climate crisis and restore a healthy relationship with the natural world, the declaration states that the vast majority of global fossil fuel reserves must remain in the ground. It urges governments to prioritize the needs of people and communities over corporate profits through immediate action to stop extraction.
• The signatories demand an immediate cessation of public funding and subsidies for fossil fuel infrastructure, exploration, and extraction. They call for these resources to be redirected toward a just transition to a clean and renewable energy economy, with a priority on frontline communities.
• The declaration calls for the removal of the fossil fuel industry's influence over political and governance systems. Specifically, it demands that the industry be barred from participating in international climate negotiations to ensure that energy policies are guided by science and equity rather than industry interests.
• The document advocates for a transition to a decentralized, democratized energy system powered 100% by sustainable and renewable energy sources. It explicitly rejects 'false solutions' that justify continued fossil fuel use or market-based mechanisms that increase inequality or allow polluters to avoid reducing pollution at the source.
• The declaration emphasizes the necessity of respecting the rights of nature and Indigenous peoples, including the right to free, prior and informed consent and the right to refuse extractive activities on traditional lands. It calls for the repair of damages resulting from colonialism, racism, and environmental genocide.

APA

Center for International Environmental Law (2015). Keep Fossil Fuels in the Ground: A Declaration for the Health of Mother Earth - Center for International Environmental Law. https://www.ciel.org/news/fossilfuels_4dec2015/

Chicago

Center for International Environmental Law. Keep Fossil Fuels in the Ground: A Declaration for the Health of Mother Earth - Center for International Environmental Law. 2015. https://www.ciel.org/news/fossilfuels_4dec2015/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Center for International Environmental Law |title=Keep Fossil Fuels in the Ground: A Declaration for the Health of Mother Earth - Center for International Environmental Law |date=4 December 2015 |url=https://www.ciel.org/news/fossilfuels_4dec2015/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{centerforinternationalenvironmentallaw2015keep, author = {{Center for International Environmental Law}}, title = {{Keep Fossil Fuels in the Ground: A Declaration for the Health of Mother Earth - Center for International Environmental Law}}, publisher = {Center for International Environmental Law}, year = {2015}, month = dec, url = {https://www.ciel.org/news/fossilfuels_4dec2015/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }