The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) adopted Resolution 042 during its World Conservation Conference, calling for the phase-out of coal, oil, and gas, as well as a halt to new mining and ensuring a just transition for affected workers.
What is Resolution 042?
- Resolution 042 was passed by the IUCN (World Conservation Union).
- It calls for a global phase-out of coal, oil, and gas to protect nature.
- Demands an immediate moratorium on all new fossil fuel extraction and development projects.
- Advocates for a just transition for affected workers and vulnerable communities around the world.
- Urges the pursuit of a global fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty for coordinated action.
- Urgent reforms have support from indigenous groups, civil society, and organizations such as WWF and Wildlife International.
Relevance and Significance:
- The IUCN has become the first multilateral body to officially recognize fossil fuel production as a threat to nature.
- It marks a unified global call to address fossil fuels as the root cause of environmental degradation.
- Strengthens efforts towards integrating climate and biodiversity goals, especially ahead of COP30.
- The approach of environmental experts and IUCN is being seen as an important step for global conservation and climate justice.
About the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN):
- The International Union for Conservation of Nature is a membership association of governmental and non-governmental organizations worldwide.
- With over 1,400 member organizations, IUCN is the international authority on the state of the natural world.
- It is a global authority for the conservation of the world’s natural state, established in the year 1948.
- Its headquarters is located in Gland, Switzerland.
- The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species was established in 1964 and is the world’s most comprehensive list of the global conservation status of plant and animal species.
- Its members include states, non-governmental organizations, indigenous peoples’ organizations, experts, government agencies, etc.
- The United Nations granted IUCN official observer status in 1992 due to growing environmental concerns.
- IUCN organizes the IUCN World Conservation Union Summit every four years.