Pittsburgh City Council Endorses Fossil Fuel Non‑Proliferation Treaty

On July 28, 2025, the Pittsburgh City Council passed a transformational Will of Council affirming the city’s commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement and formally endorsing the global call for a Fossil Fuel Non‑Proliferation Treaty.

The resolution goes further, urging the federal government of the United States to join international negotiations toward a binding treaty meant to halt the expansion of coal, oil, and gas globally. In doing so, Pittsburgh joins a growing wave of cities worldwide—including Philadelphia—to support the Fossil Fuel Treaty initiative.

The City's Will emphasizes Pittsburgh’s legacy of reinvention—from its industrial roots to its leadership in sustainability—and outlines key priorities:

• Limiting fossil fuel infrastructure expansion at the local level

• Addressing health and environmental inequities faced by frontline communities

• Alleviating energy cost burdens for residents

• Investing in a just, community‑led transition: rebuilding blighted neighborhoods, creating local jobs, ensuring clean air, healthy neighborhoods, and climate resilience for all Pittsburghers

Why this matters for Pennsylvania and beyond

• A model for other municipalities: Pittsburgh’s action demonstrates how cities can concretely support a global fossil fuel phase-out through local policy aligned with national and international goals.

• Ties local climate justice to global action: By explicitly acknowledging public health and environmental justice—especially in communities burdened by pollution—the resolution frames a treaty not just as an emissions goal, but as a tool for equity and resilience.

• Momentum building across the U.S.: While Pittsburgh now takes a formal stand, other U.S. cities such as Los Angeles and Philadelphia have already backed the treaty initiative, signaling a growing domestic urban movement.

What Pittsburgh can do next

• Advocate for state- and national-level support for negotiation of the Fossil Fuel Treaty.

• Strengthen local policies that align with treaty goals—such as halting approvals of new fossil fuel infrastructure, advancing building electrification, and promoting clean energy jobs.

• Embed community-driven transition planning, prioritizing the neighborhoods most impacted by pollution and economic disinvestment.