Posted on April, 22 2025

(GLAND, Switzerland) 24 April 2025 - In a world increasingly aware of the dangers posed by climate change and geopolitical tensions, ensuring energy security for all means one crucial step: ending our dependence on fossil fuels. Shifting rapidly to renewable energy brings more than climate benefits: it is a route to economic growth, lower energy bills for citizens, and stronger energy security. 
 
One trend stands clear from all others: while fossil fuel reserves dwindle, price volatility increases and secure delivery is at the whim of global geopolitics, renewable energy keeps growing in scale, reliability and affordability, helping many low-and middle-income countries reduce their dependence on importing fossil fuels. 
 
Recent energy crises - brought on by various factors post the COVID-19 pandemic and then the war in Ukraine - highlighted the inherent risks of the world’s dependence on fossil fuels. And, says WWF Global NDC Enhancement Coordinator Shirley Matheson, achieving the Paris Agreement’s global temperature goal of 1.5℃ is only feasible through a comprehensive phase-out of fossil fuels. And countries need to embed these implementation plans in their national climate strategy, called Nationally Determined Contributions or NDCs.
 
“Well-designed climate plans and policies can boost economies,” she says, citing a recent Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development report which found that well-designed climate actions can accelerate economic growth. In the UK, for example, the net-zero sector is expanding at three times the rate of the overall economy, creating high-wage jobs, enhancing energy security, and fostering innovation. 
 
Globally, taxpayers spent an astonishing $6 trillion annually subsidizing the fossil fuel industry. This could be redirected to fund initiatives aimed at energy security, renewable energy development, supporting communities facing the brunt of the climate crisis, and nature restoration.
 
“Fossil fuels can no longer give us the energy security or the climate security we need. The IEA told us in 2023 that we cannot afford any new oil and gas if we are to meet our legally binding climate goals. Their members must include the phase out of fossil fuels in the national climate plans that they have to submit by before COP20 starts in November - instilling confidence for investment and innovation,” says Matheson.
 
New NDCs must be submitted to UN Climate Change ideally by September this year, in line with the Paris Agreement.
 
To assist countries to include the fair phase-out of fossil fuels in their national climate plans, WWF has published a new report - Phasing out Fossil Fuels Through NDCs 3.0: Guidance for Policy-Makers. The report aims to support governments in their NDC drafting processes, rather than providing a prescriptive set of measures. It offers guidance to teams drafting a country's NDC, namely by showing:

• how little countries are reflecting fossil fuel phase out in climate plans, suggesting why they should do so, and countering common arguments against the feasibility of phasing out fossil fuels;
• how countries might address consumption, production of oil, gas and coal in their national climate plans; and 
• how to address aspects to consider before, during and after drafting the national climate plans. 

“Recently, a major survey of business leaders found that three-quarters associate renewables with better energy security. It’s time that the world’s political leaders caught up. Clear and actionable plans that detail how countries will phase out fossil fuels will instil the confidence for investment and innovation and will generate growth and the enduring jobs required for the future,” says Matheson.

For further information, contact: Mandy Woods mwoods@wwfint.org or news@wwfint.org