This article is the conclusion of the discussion paper "Fossil Fuel Phase-Out: A Key Contribution to Halting and Reversing Biodiversity Loss," published by WWF-International.

Download the full report here

IUCN faces historic vote on fossil fuels' impacts on climate and biodiversity | WWF

In the 21st century, Indonesia and the world face two major interconnected crises: climate change and biodiversity loss. Yet the root causes of both crises are often overlooked. For this reason, WWF International, in partnership with the FFNP Treaty Initiative, sponsored (proposed) Motion 42, which was later adopted by the IUCN. Motion 42 states that Motion 42: "Addressing the climate and biodiversity crises through fossil fuel supply-side measures and a just transition"

Motion 42 calls for a shift in policy focus not just to emissions or energy demand, but to the supply side of fossil fuels, from extraction to combustion, the key to breaking the cycle between the climate crisis and the loss of nature.

The urgency of this document cannot be overstated. Climate change is accelerating, and its impacts are already disrupting human and natural systems. At the same time, the biodiversity of species, habitats, and natural services on which people depend is being eroded. Global reports cite climate change as one of the direct drivers of diversity loss. When we miss the opportunity to address the root cause - fossil fuel dependence - we enter an unending cycle of ecological destruction. This document makes it clear that if we truly want to reverse the trend of natural destruction, we must get to the root of the problem. The extraction and burning of coal, oil, and gas remains the biggest contributor to the climate crisis - and therefore to biodiversity loss. It endorses the idea of fossil fuel phase-out as a central step of a global strategy: halting new development of fossil fuels, bringing existing production to a controlled halt - not as an additional option, but as a core part of the strategy.

How do fossil fuels damage nature? There are two major pathways. First, the indirect pathway through climate change: rising temperatures, rising sea levels, fires, habitat disruption, forced migration of species, and collapsing food webs - all exacerbating the destruction of nature.

Second, the direct (non-climate) pathway: the process of onshore or offshore extraction of fossil fuels results in land degradation, water and air pollution, oil spills, and habitat degradation that is often difficult to reverse. In other words, fossil fuels are destroying nature both through the impacts we see globally and through very real, local-specific impacts.

The document also shows that the climate action agenda and biodiversity protection should not be seen as two separate issues. They must be synergized - and the point of intersection is fossil fuel production. As the focus shifts to the supply side, low-carbon energy policy and nature conservation can work together, not apart. For Indonesia, this document is particularly relevant. As a country with the highest biodiversity and consisting of more than 17,000 islands, we have a unique challenge: on the one hand, we are still heavily dependent on coal and fossil energy; on the other hand, we have great potential in nature-based solutions and carbon trading. If we continue with "business as usual", we risk not only national or international climate targets, but also biodiversity targets and the resilience of local communities - especially in coastal areas, islands, and indigenous peoples. Our policy and advocacy frameworks must adjust quickly to align the energy transition and the protection of nature.

Of course, the implementation challenges in Indonesia are great. The local context -economic, social, cultural, customary- makes it impossible to transition uniformly. Especially at a time when national economic growth targets are still high. There are real socio-economic trade-offs: fossil sector workers, local communities, and inter-regional equity. This document does not spell out everything in detail in the context of developing countries, but it provides a solid foundation. Our job then is to translate this global framework to the Indonesian context: setting faster coal phase-out targets, developing oil & gas reduction scenarios, ensuring a just transition for local communities and workers, and integrating biodiversity into energy policy.

The key message of this document is: the future of nature (and people) depends largely on our choices now. We can choose to treat the climate and biodiversity crises as two separate agendas, or we can act at the root of the problem, choosing a just, rapid, and timely transition pathway away from fossil fuels. For Indonesia, that choice is not just an environmental issue, but also the future of the nation, its natural heritage, and the well-being of future generations. Now is the time to turn choice into action.