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Fossil Free Zones

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A Fossil Free Zone (abbr. FFZ) is described as “a geographic area characterised by the absence of fossil fuel activity.” This entails entities, areas, institutions, or communities that have formally committed to not extracting, processing, or burning fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and fossil gas. The idea was coined by Dr. Fergus Green of University College London (UCL) and is designed as a system to empower actors who have transitioned or are transitioning away from fossil fuels. The concept is inspired by the Nuclear Weapon Free Zones, which have been effective in promoting nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. The concept is promoted globally by the Leave It in the Ground Initiative (LINGO) as part of efforts to accelerate the transition to renewable energy and mitigate climate change.

Classification

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The concept includes several partial designations, such as:

  • Fossil Free Zone — A place that does not burn or extract oil, gas, or coal.
  • Fossil Independent Zone — An area whose infrastructure runs on 100% non-fossil energy by default, where infrastructure is defined as “systems and services that an entity uses to conduct day-to-day operations.” This means the area can conduct its normal operations fossil independent, so if fossil fuels ceased to exist, the zone could continue to operate smoothly.
  • Oil Free Zone — A place that does not burn or extract oil.
  • Gas Free Zone — A place that does not burn or extract gas.
  • Coal Free Zone — A place that does not burn or extract coal.
  • Fossil Extraction Free Zone — A place that does not extract oil, gas, or coal.
  • Oil and Gas Extraction Free Zone — A place that does not extract oil or gas.
  • Coal Extraction Free Zone — A place that does not extract coal.

Zones are recognized based on documented evidence such as legal restrictions, operational practices, or verifiable absence of fossil fuel infrastructure.

Types of areas identified and accounted for include:

  • Geopolitical regions
  • Residential and community areas
  • Learning and culture institutions
  • Natural landscapes
  • Businesses and leisure venues
  • Community and public services

History

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Dr. Fergus Green’s article, "Fossil Free Zones: A Proposal," was published in September 2022. Following this, the environmental non-governmental organization Leave It in the Ground Initiative (LINGO) institutionalized the concept as a long-term project aimed at recognizing and connecting communities free from fossil fuel activities. Through extensive research efforts, various communities, entities, and geopolitical regions have been examined for their fossil fuel-related practices. By 2025, the initiative had documented over 498 zones worldwide. Two larger research projects were conducted, focusing on Fossil Free Zones in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region in 2023, and on Fossil Free Zones among universities in Germany (ongoing).

Impact and Reception

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The initiative aims to:

  • Normalize fossil fuel phase-out through public recognition.
  • Build a global network of communities taking climate action.
  • Increase pressure on governments and corporations to commit to fossil-free policies.

Criticism and Challenges

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Critics have noted that:

  • The designation is symbolic unless backed by enforceable laws.
  • Partial fossil-free zones may still rely indirectly on fossil fuel-powered supply chains.

See also

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References

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