Description

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Picture Courtesy: DOWNTOEARTH

Context

At the World Conservation Congress, the IUCN passed Motion 042, becoming the first multilateral organization to directly name fossil fuel production as a threat to nature.

What is the IUCN?

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is the world's largest and most diverse environmental network, comprising both government and civil society organizations.

Founded in 1948, it is considered the global authority on the status of the natural world and the measures needed to protect it.

History

1948: Founded in Fontainebleau, France, as the International Union for the Protection of Nature (IUPN).
1956: Renamed the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN).
1964: Published the first IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
1980: Published the World Conservation Strategy, defining "sustainable development."
2008: Reverted to the official name: International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Key Provisions of the Motion 042

The motion was tabled by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and co-sponsored by various civil society and Indigenous organizations.

World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)

It is a leading independent conservation organization, dedicated to preserving nature and reducing threats to Earth's biodiversity.

Origin: The WWF was established in 1961, in Switzerland.

Initial focus: Initially called the World Wildlife Fund, it focused on protecting endangered species.

Expansion and name change: In 1986, it adopted its current name to reflect a broader focus on habitat protection, climate change, and sustainability.

Symbol: The WWF's famous panda logo was inspired by Chi-Chi, a giant panda at the London Zoo in 1961

Naming Fossil Fuels as a Direct Threat

For the first time, the IUCN explicitly names fossil fuel production and combustion as the core cause of the climate and biodiversity crises, shifting focus from emissions to the problem's source.

Call for a Complete and Just Phase-Out: The motion urges all governments to:

Phase out the production and use of coal, oil, and gas.
Halt all new fossil fuel extraction projects globally.
Ensure a "just transition" for workers and communities that are currently dependent on the fossil fuel industry.

Endorsement of a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty

The motion promotes exploring new international legal instruments, such as a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, to manage fossil fuel supply, an idea backed by climate-vulnerable nations and civil society.

Significance and Implications of this Decision

Unification of Climate and Biodiversity Agendas

The IUCN has formally unified the climate and biodiversity crises agendas, asserting that nature protection and climate action are interconnected, and a fossil fuel phase-out is crucial for both.

Increased Momentum for COP3

Weeks before COP30 in Belém, Brazil, this decision pressures world leaders to ambitiously phase out fossil fuels, demanding action beyond vague commitments.

Strengthening the Call for a Fossil Fuel Treaty

The proposed Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, backed by the IUCN, seeks to address the lack of a global agreement managing fossil fuel production, a gap compared to the Paris Agreement's focus on emissions reduction.

Amplifying the Voices of Vulnerable and Indigenous Communities

Indigenous groups have highlighted the severe impact of oil and gas extraction on Indigenous peoples, co-sponsoring a motion to affirm their "lived reality."

Experts emphasized that "There is no conservation without Indigenous rights, and no climate justice without a full and fair phase-out of fossil fuels."

Reinforcing Legal and Moral Obligations

The motion is supported by other adopted resolutions, including;

Motion 141, welcomed advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) affirming states' legal obligations to prevent climate harm.
Motion 038, calls for implementing the Paris Agreement's goals—particularly transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems "in a just, orderly and equitable manner."

Conclusion

The IUCN has classified fossil fuels as a threat to nature, connecting ecosystem protection with the need for a rapid and fair transition away from coal, oil, and gas. This decision unifies climate and biodiversity objectives and backs a new Fossil Fuel Treaty.

Source: DOWNTOEARTH

Attempt Daily Quiz

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. With reference to the recently adopted IUCN Motion 042, consider the following statements:

1. It is the first resolution by a multilateral body that explicitly names fossil fuel production as a threat to biodiversity.

2. The motion was tabled by India.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

A) 1 only

B) 2 only

C) Both 1 and 2

D) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: A

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: IUCN Motion 042 is the first resolution by a major environmental body to explicitly name fossil fuel production as a direct threat to nature and biodiversity. Previous global forums have focused more on the consumption of fossil fuels, not their production.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The motion was not tabled by India. It was sponsored by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and co-sponsored by other groups like BirdLife International and the Government of Vanuatu.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Resolution 042, adopted by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) at its World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi in October 2025, marks a significant milestone. It is the first time the IUCN has explicitly identified fossil fuel production as a direct threat to nature.

It increases pressure on governments regarding fossil fuels, positioning the phase-out as necessary for conservation and strengthening the ties between climate and biodiversity policies.

IUCN motions are not legally binding, but they carry significant political and moral influence, affecting global policy and environmental law.