The Lofoten Declaration, drafted in August 2017, is an international manifesto calling for the end of
hydrocarbon exploration
Hydrocarbon exploration (or oil and gas exploration) is the search by petroleum geologists and geophysicists for deposits of hydrocarbons, particularly petroleum and natural gas, in the Earth using petroleum geology.
Exploration methods
Vis ...
and further expansion of
fossil fuel reserves for the purpose of
climate change mitigation. It calls for
fossil fuel divestment and
phase-out of use with a
just transition to a
low-carbon economy
A low-carbon economy (LCE) or decarbonised economy is an economy based on energy sources that produce low levels of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. GHG emissions due to human activity are the dominant cause of observed climate change since the mi ...
.
A diverse group of signatories has signed the declaration, affirming demands for early leadership in efforts from the economies that have benefited the most from fossil fuel extraction.
The Declaration was named for the
Lofoten
Lofoten () is an archipelago and a traditional district in the county of Nordland, Norway. Lofoten has distinctive scenery with dramatic mountains and peaks, open sea and sheltered bays, beaches and untouched lands. There are two towns, Svolvà ...
archipelago where public concern has successfully prevented offshore development of petroleum reserves.
Signed by 600 organizations
spanning 76 countries,
the Declaration is believed to have helped influence the government of Norway to divest from investment in exploration and production.
The Lofoten Declaration also helped mobilized efforts for a global treaty on a managed declined of fossil fuel production, such as the
Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative.
References
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Climate action plans
Emissions reduction
Climate change policy
Ethical investment
Low-carbon economy
Sustainable energy