The groundbreaking decision at COP28 calls on parties “to contribute to…transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems.”  Yet, the global production and use of fossil fuels continue to expand, making the goals of the Paris Agreement ever more difficult to achieve. 

This Policy Forum article argues that proponents of ambitious climate action should focus on stopping new fossil fuel projects, encompassing exploration for and development of new fossil fuel extraction sites, and permitting and construction of new, large-scale fossil fuel–consuming infrastructure. Specifically, the article argues that governments should ban new fossil fuel projects, and civil society should advocate such bans. Together, these efforts would help to build a global “No New Fossil” norm.