Sample Fossil Free Resolution 

A resolution to move [CITY] to 100% clean, renewable energy and oppose new fossil fuel projects.

WHEREAS climate change is real, caused by humans, and affirmed by overwhelming scientific evidence;

WHEREAS climate change has already wrought devastating impacts, here and around the globe;

WHEREAS if unchecked, climate change will fundamentally undermine the stability of human societies and natural systems;

WHEREAS there is no credible path to a safe climate that includes new fossil fuel infrastructure;

WHEREAS, "renewable energy" includes energy derived from hydrogen, wind power sited in ecologically responsible ways, solar, existing and low-impact hydroelectric, geothermal, and ocean/wave technology sources. These sources of energy can have significant public health and other co-benefits that can help address pressing ecological and environmental justice challenges in sensitive ecosystems and communities here and around the country; 

WHEREAS, "renewable energy" specifically excludes energy derived from fossil fuels, nuclear, hydrogen produced from fossil fuels, and incineration of municipal and medical waste; 

WHEREAS, any forest biomass energy project requires special consideration to ensure that ecosystem health is not harmed, that the project does not result in increased life-cycle carbon emissions, and that air quality and fish habitat is not degraded; 

WHEREAS, renewable energy must also be sustainable, both in terms of the conservation of fish and wildlife habitat and in the promotion of human health and racial, environmental, and economic justice, and therefore reliance on existing hydroelectric power requires special consideration to reduce negative ecological impacts to biological systems dependent on the affected watersheds; 

WHEREAS [CITY] has a responsibility to its residents, our country, and the world, to accelerate the transition to 100% clean, renewable energy and oppose new fossil fuel infrastructure; 

WHEREAS social movements fighting the Keystone XL pipeline and the Dakota Access pipeline have inspired opposition to fossil fuel projects across the country;

WHEREAS local, state, and national economies are rapidly transitioning to 100% clean, renewable energy;

WHEREAS a just transition to 100% renewable energy can benefit low-income communities and communities of color that are disproportionately impacted by fossil fuel pollution; 

WHEREAS a just transition to 100% renewable energy will create millions of high-quality, family-sustaining jobs;

WHEREAS a just transition to 100% renewable energy can bring underserved communities, including those hardest hit by climate change, into the political process to develop more just, equitable and sustainable energy systems; and 

WHEREAS a just transition to 100% renewable energy can facilitate more democratic control and public ownership of energy systems, and more just and equal relationships with indigenous communities and tribal governments.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that [CITY] will actively oppose infrastructure whose primary purpose is transporting, storing, processing, or exporting fossil fuels in or through [CITY] or adjacent waterways; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that [CITY] will support a community-wide goal of 100% clean renewable energy as soon as possible, establishing sector-by-sector targets and an inclusive Climate Action Planning process within the next year.