Agenda item

            The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 12th June, it had deferred consideration of a report relating to the above-mentioned motion to enable a further report to be submitted that would outline the cost implications to the Council should the motion be adopted in full. The further report mentioned above is set out hereunder:

1.0          Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

1.1       To respond to the Notice of Motion referred to this Committee by the Standards and Business Committee on 22nd May 2025 in relation to Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty and the request to investigate cost implications made at Climate and City Resilience Committee on 12th June 2025.

2.0       Recommendation

2.1       Members are asked to note that, in accordance with Standing Orders, Notices of Motion which commit the Council to expenditure or fall within the remit of a particular Committee must be referred to the appropriate committee for consideration and report. 

At this time Members are asked to note the outline consideration of the Notice of Motion and potential cost implications.

3.0       Main Report

3.1       The following Motion was referred to the Climate and City Resilience Committee at its meeting on 12 June 2025

Motion: Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty

“Recognising Northern Ireland’s commitment to achieve net zero by 2050, (and Belfast City Council’s previous motion recognising a climate emergency), Belfast City Council will endorse the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, an initiative to secure an international and legally binding treaty to phase out fossil fuels and will write to the Northern Ireland Executive as well as the Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero urging them to support this initiative.”

Proposer: Councillor Anthony Flynn

Seconder: Councillor Brian Smyth 

The Motion calls upon the Council to endorse the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty and to write to the Northern Ireland Executive, the Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero urging them to support this initiative.

3.2       Consideration of the Notice of Motion

The Notice of Motion to endorse the Non-Proliferation of Fossil Fuel Treaty has been considered by officers within the Climate team in terms of its effectiveness and potential cost implications.

3.3       Endorsing the Treaty means supporting the three central commitments: that being, ending the expansion of fossil fuel production; setting and equitable path to phase out existing coal, oil and gas; and ensuring a just transition for communities and workers affected by the energy shift.

3.4       Under The treaty, as a developed economy, Northern Ireland will be expected to phase out faster than less developed countries. The commitments in the Treaty compliment the obligations in the Paris Agreement. As of October 2025, sixteen countries and more than 130 cities (including 8 UK cities) and sub-national governments have officially endorsed the Treaty. The UK and Ireland have not officially endorsed the Treaty.

3.5       The Notice of Motion is aligned with the Council’s ambition of achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050. The ending of fossil fuel expansion is considered to be highly beneficial for the global climate and efforts made by nations, governments and organisations to decarbonise their activities with renewable technologies at the forefront of moving toward net zero. Aside from their impact on climate change, there are other significant co-benefits associated with a move away from fossil fuels as their continued use contributes significantly to air pollution and associated human health impacts, water quality (from spills, wastewater discharges etc), land degradation, and the displacement of communities.

3.6       Implications of endorsing the Treaty

Endorsing the Treaty signals support for a global phase-out of fossil fuel production and a just energy transition. The implications are mostly political, reputational and advocacy based rather than legal and financial.

3.7       Politically, endorsement places Belfast among other cities advocating for rapid climate action and builds pressure for the UK government to endorse the Treaty. It also signals to local communities the Council’s commitment to social justice and an equitable transition. Endorsement would increase global visibility and help to build momentum for the phase out of fossil fuels.

3.8       Potential financial and legal implications

As the Council’s existing climate ambitions align with the Treaty no additional Council resources, reporting or legal changes will be required. There are therefore no direct financial or legal obligations as the Treaty aligns with ongoing local climate ambitions. However, there could be higher costs for BCC and City residents as the NI economy transitions away from fossil fuels. Members should be aware that there are cost implications to decarbonisation, both to Council operations, especially where fossil fuels are still used by the Council’s fleet and to heat its buildings, and at city level as transport and heating are increasingly electrified.

There may be some indirect cost implications for the Council through staff time for writing additional briefing notes, stakeholder engagement, communications or policy alignment checks. There may also be cost implications for bringing the wording or principles of the treaty into the procurement, strategies or plans of the Council.  

3.9       Next steps if Council decides to endorse the Treaty

Endorsing the Treaty is essentially an advocacy gesture and there is no requirement to take any further action after endorsement. However, members may wish to consider the following possible actions:

·         Publish the endorsement and make a public announcement through the BCC website and local media.

·         Use the financial planning and rate setting processes as an opportunity to review and strengthen commitment to climate-related policies and those plans which prioritise fossil fuel phase out and adoption of renewable energy (e.g. Sustainable Procurement, decarbonisation of BCC estate and operations, installation of EV chargers, Bolder Vision etc.)

·         Advocate for an increase in the level of financial support available to enable vulnerable households to improve the energy efficiency of their homes and transition to low carbon heating solutions.

·         Support renewable energy projects and community energy schemes including an assessment of the suitability of Council assets to host renewable energy and community energy schemes.

4.0       Financial and Resource Implications

4.1       There is no immediate resource or financial ask of the Council.

5.0       Equality or Good Relations Implications

5.1       There are no immediate implications regarding equality, good relations and rural needs aside to say that the cost of transitioning from fossil fuels will be disproportionately more challenging for low-income households.

            The Committee noted that there would be no immediate cost implications to the Council in endorsing the motion.

After discussion, the Committee adopted the motion, subject to the following:

·         that a report be submitted to a future meeting that would outline the indicative costs that might be incurred by the Council and the City in transitioning away from fossil fuel usage;

·         that a letter be forwarded also to the Republic of Ireland’s Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Mr. D. O’Brien, seeking his support for the Council’s stance on the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty; and

·         that the Council would be mindful of the infrastructural and transitionary needs of all communities in achieving net zero by 2050.