130+ Civil Society Organizations Call for a Permanent End To War, Windfall Tax on Oil and Gas Profits
15 April 2026 – As finance ministers gather in Washington DC for the IMF-World Bank Spring meetings amidst warnings of global recession, a coalition of 130+ civil society organizations is demanding governments to secure a permanent end to the wars in South West Asia and break the chains of fossil fuel dependence. The open letter highlights that in addition to thousands of civilians killed by US and Israeli bombs, millions globally are being pushed into hunger and debt because of the iron grip of oil and gas on our economies. To call attention to the action the group projected a large message “No Bombs, No Barrels” onto the headquarters of the World Bank and IMF in Washington DC.
The coalition says that while these meetings are about the global economy and affordability crisis, they are sitting on the most obvious solutions: end the war, tax the huge windfall profits that oil and gas companies are making from the conflict, and dump fossil fuels for good in favour of secure and affordable renewable energy.. The statement, “They Profit, We Pay. Fix It Now,” sets out four urgent demands:
- Demand 1: End the war completely and permanently: Civilians are bearing the brunt of ongoing violence, losing lives, homes, and stability. Temporary ceasefires are not enough. This illegal war must end.
- Demand 2: Make the profiteers pay: In one month, over $100 billion has been extracted from people through rising energy costs. Governments must tax fossil fuel windfall profits and use the revenue to fund public services and support households and workers facing rising living costs.
- Demand 3: Make food and energy secure for all: Public investment should prioritise sustainable agriculture and renewable energy, while ending subsidies for fossil fuels and weapons.
- Demand 4: Cancel debt: Many Global South countries are unable to respond to the crisis due to heavy debt burdens.
It is backed by over 130+ organisations spanning trade unions, grassroots movements, faith groups, and NGOs.
Quotes
“We do not need to wait for international finance ministers to tell us what we are already experiencing: the poison of fossil fuel dependence and the suffering of those of us that are bound to it. But not everyone is suffering — oil and gas companies are making huge profits off the back of this war and its impact on our cost of living. We just saw Category 4 Super Typhoon Sinlaku batter the Northern Mariana Islands, and Category 3 Cyclone Vaianu tear through Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and Fiji. How are we meant to recover from this and fit the bill of rising fuel costs at the same time? We are tired of paying for their profit with our paychecks, our islands and our lives.” Fenton Lutunatabua, Pacific and Caribbean Lead, 350.org
“While people struggle to afford food, fuel, and basic necessities, fossil fuel companies are profiting massively from the chaos. The IMF itself has warned of the risk of a global recession. Governments gathering in Washington have a clear responsibility: end this illegal war, stop the flow of destruction, and make the profiteers pay. Taxing windfall oil and gas profits could provide immediate relief to families and invest in the clean, affordable energy systems we urgently need. They profit, we pay. It’s time to fix it now: no bombs, no barrels” – Savio Carvalho, Managing Director 350.org
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