CITIES FOR A FOSSIL FREE FUTURE POLICY BRIEF

The document positions cities as central actors in the global movement to end fossil fuel dependence, noting that while they are major emitters, they can lead through 'city diplomacy' and local policy. It outlines 21 key recommendations divided into two main categories: enhancing city diplomacy and removing the 'social licence' of the fossil fuel industry, and implementing sectoral decarbonisation in transportation, energy, the built environment, and waste management. The brief emphasizes that urban action must be coupled with national-level pressure to ensure a just transition for workers and marginalized communities.

• Cities are disproportionately impactful in the climate crisis, housing approximately 50% of the global population while generating around 70% of global carbon emissions.
• The fossil fuel industry actively undermines climate policy through extensive PR, 'artwashing', and 'sportswashing' to maintain its social legitimacy.
• City diplomacy is evolving from 'paradiplomacy' to active global influence, with over 100 mayors now endorsing the call for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.
• Urban transportation is a primary emission source, with petroleum supplying over 90% of the total energy used by world transport.
• Buildings are critical for decarbonisation as they account for more than half of the average energy use in cities.
• The plastics crisis is inextricably linked to fossil fuels, as 99% of all plastics are derived from them, and they are projected to drive nearly half of oil demand growth by midcentury.
• Air pollution causes seven million deaths annually, with 89% of the 4.2 million outdoor air pollution deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries.
• A 'just transition' in the urban economy requires including the informal sector, particularly waste pickers who collect approximately 60% of all plastic for recycling globally.

APA

Snaije, L., Poland, M., & Sawas, A. (2024). CITIES FOR A FOSSIL FREE FUTURE POLICY BRIEF. Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative. https://www.fossilfueltreaty.org/s/Cities-for-a-Fossil-Free-Future-From-Enhancing-City-Diplomacy-to-Decarbonising-Key-Sectors.pdf

Chicago

Snaije, Lucas, Michael Poland, and Amiera Sawas. CITIES FOR A FOSSIL FREE FUTURE POLICY BRIEF. Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, 2024. https://www.fossilfueltreaty.org/s/Cities-for-a-Fossil-Free-Future-From-Enhancing-City-Diplomacy-to-Decarbonising-Key-Sectors.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Snaije |first1=Lucas |last2=Poland |first2=Michael |last3=Sawas |first3=Amiera |title=CITIES FOR A FOSSIL FREE FUTURE POLICY BRIEF |publisher=Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative |date=2024 |url=https://www.fossilfueltreaty.org/s/Cities-for-a-Fossil-Free-Future-From-Enhancing-City-Diplomacy-to-Decarbonising-Key-Sectors.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{snaije2024cities, author = {Snaije, Lucas and Poland, Michael and Sawas, Amiera}, title = {{CITIES FOR A FOSSIL FREE FUTURE POLICY BRIEF}}, institution = {Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative}, year = {2024}, url = {https://www.fossilfueltreaty.org/s/Cities-for-a-Fossil-Free-Future-From-Enhancing-City-Diplomacy-to-Decarbonising-Key-Sectors.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }