80 senior Australian faith leaders from across the religious spectrum have signed an open letter calling on the Prime Minister to support a global Fossil Fuel Treaty and a fair, planned transition away from coal, oil and gas.
Launched on Tuesday 6 October, the letter coincides with coordinated public actions by Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Sikh and other faith communities in Cairns, Brisbane, Newcastle, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.
The call comes as Pacific leaders gathered for the COP31 Pre-COP in Fiji and a Leaders’ event in Tuvalu, with Australia holding the significant role of President of Negotiations for COP31.
The leaders said Australia must listen to Pacific communities already living with the impacts of climate change and ensure their priorities are heard in global negotiations.
Pacific church leaders have called for an immediate halt to fossil fuel expansion, stronger climate finance and compensation, and a greater decision-making role for communities most affected by the climate crisis.
The proposed Fossil Fuel Treaty would provide an international framework to end fossil fuel expansion and manage an equitable global transition away from coal, oil and gas.