Mining magnate Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest has publicly pledged his support for a treaty to end fossil fuel extraction.
The Perth billionaire businessman joins a legion of countries, scientists and Nobel Prize laureates who have backed an official treaty to set deadlines for the global phasing out of fossil fuels.
Forrest, founder and chairman of metal mining giant Fortescue, is the first major industrialist and business leader to support the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.
“While the world committed to transition away from fossil fuels at COP-28 in Dubai last year, emissions continue to rise,” Forrest, who is in Baku attending the COP-29 summit, said.
“Entire islands in the Pacific have already disappeared due to rising sea levels.
“Today, I stand in solidarity with the Pacific Island nations and pledge my support to them, both as a business leader and philanthropist. I also commend them for their leadership.
“Devastating hurricanes and flooding across the world are causing unprecedented economic damage and mortality, all due to our warming ocean. Colombia has just declared a state of disaster due to torrential flooding.”
The iron ore tycoon re-emphasised his personal goal of reaching “real zero” after previously suggesting a net-zero target was a “fantasy”.
He also acknowledged Fortescue’s role in climate pollution.
“We need to stop talking about net zero and instead move to real zero – the complete elimination of all greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the extraction, use and burning of fossil fuels,” he added.
“The company I founded, Fortescue, is part of the global group of major companies and conglomerates that are responsible for all the industrial pollution in the world which is by far and away the largest pollution group of humanity.”
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Forrest added: “Fortescue is one of Australia’s biggest polluters – but will economically eliminate fossil fuels to be real zero by 2030. If we can do it, others can too.”
Chair of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Tzeporah Berman said the group was “thrilled” to welcome Forrest as a supporter of the movement.
Berman said he hoped Forrest’s influence would spur governments and other businesses to join the fight for winding down fossil fuel extraction.
The treaty has been endorsed by 14 countries, over 3000 scientists, 100 Nobel Laureates, 25 banks and the World Health Organisation (WHO).
While much of his fortune lies in mining, the West Australian has become a notable proponent of green hydrogen and defender of renewable energy.
