Lilongwe has become the first African capital city to publicly back the call for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty (FFNPT), a proposed global legal mechanism to end the expansion of the fuels and enable a fair phase-out.

Malawi is facing the effects of climate change, with increased flooding and drought causing damage to crops and livelihoods. The city of Mzuzu has also endorsed the pact.

"Our nation’s vulnerability to climate change, caused by fossil fuels, has had devastating effects on our communities," Ruth Chingwalu, deputy mayor of Lilongwe city council, said in a statement.

"In order to prevent climate catastrophe, urgent action at all levels and international cooperation are essential to ensure a safe and liveable future for us all."

Support growing for a pact

So far, 13 national governments have publicly backed the call for such a treaty, including many small island nations, along with the World Health Organization, the European Parliament, hundreds of elected officials around the world and a growing list of cities.

The initiative aims to address the gap between the goal of the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5°C, and the reality that many of the governments of countries that signed up to that agreement are still approving new coal, oil and gas projects.

A group of 77 former government leaders and Nobel laureates from around the world voiced their support for the treaty in an open letter last month to world leaders.

Signatories including Muhammad Yunus, chief adviser of Bangladesh, Mary Robinson, the former president of Ireland, and the Dalai Lama urged leaders to affirm their commitment at the upcoming UN Summit of the Future in September to a fair transition away from fossil fuels.

They added that they commended the nations that are "spearheading such an effort by seeking the negotiation of a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty".

Call for more backing

“There is far too much sun shining, wind blowing and water flowing through our continent for us to continue deepening fossil fuel extraction, which has failed to power our continent or enrich our people," said Seble Samuel, head of Africa campaigns and advocacy at the FFNPT Initiative.

"Lilongwe and Mzuzu’s call for a Fossil Fuel Treaty is one that should be echoed across Africa for a people-centred just transition to renewable energy, to achieve energy sovereignty and climate justice for our people and our continent."