Fossil Free Politics: Reject partnerships with the fossil fuel industry

Author: 
ALTER-EU

To avert climate breakdown, the vast majority of the fossil fuel industry’s gas, oil, and coal reserves need to stay in the ground. Fossil fuel lobbyists have relentless- ly tried for decades to deny science, and delay, weak- en, and sabotage climate action - despite knowing their business heats the planet and destroys communities. Their business model is killing our future. To tackle the climate emergency, and ensure that climate policy is conducted entirely in the public interest, we must cut fossil fuel interests out of our politics, similar to existing restrictions on the tobacco industry.

We need a fossil free politics before it’s too late. This means no more meetings, conflicts of interest, partnerships, or collaborations with fossil fuel lobby- ists in our democratic institutions (including the UN and EU institutions). In concrete terms, this would mean four definitive and courageous measures. Here we explain the fourth one:

4) Reject partnerships with the fossil fuel industry: no sponsorships or partnerships; no sharing platforms with industry representatives; no hosting or attending of industry events; no party or candidate donations. 

This would include but not be limited to: 

  • Governments and/or decision makers not accepting any spon- sorship, partnership or other direct or indirect gifts/dona- tions/support from fossil fuel companies or representatives. 
  • Public authority representatives do not appear at fossil fuel sponsored events, debates or activities, and do not invite fossil fuel corporations or representatives for public debates, events or other activities.
  • Fossil fuel companies or their representatives (including consultan- cies, law firms and public relation companies) are not allowed to organise events, exhibitions or other activities on government premises, including national and European parliaments. 
  • Political parties, politicians and their campaign vehicles not accepting money or donations in kind from the fossil fuel industry.