Global Zero leaders understand that whatever stabilizing impact nuclear weapons may have had during the Cold War, any residual benefits of these arsenals are now overshadowed by the growing risks of proliferation and the related risk of nuclear terrorism.
Building on the extraordinary growth of the Global Zero movement and the political support it has achieved since December 2008, we now have a historic opportunity to set the world’s course to zero nuclear weapons.
In pursuing global zero, nations will confront profound and complex political and security issues to determine as they assess whether going to zero serves their national interests, taking into consideration the state of various geopolitical, regional and national security issues at that time. The Global Zero Commission is examining these issues and their interrelationship with our plan for the elimination of nuclear weapons.
In 2011, Global Zero will launch a three-year campaign to bring all nuclear weapons countries together to negotiate cuts in arsenals worldwide for the first time in history. This will require the US and Russia to first agree to further reduce their Cold War stockpiles and the leaders of all nuclear weapons countries to commit to multilateral negotiations in 2014. As outlined in the Global Zero Action Plan, these negotiations would cut all arsenals by 50%, followed by final negotiations to eliminate all remaining nuclear weapons by 2030.
Global Zero will build international and domestic political support for negotiations (especially important with 2012 presidential campaigns underway in the US, France and Russia), following its proven model: combining the influence of eminent leaders, media, online and grassroots outreach, cutting-edge policy development and direct dialogue with governments.
Ultimately, it will fall to political leaders to decide on a course toward a world free of nuclear weapons. The Global Zero Action Plan is not the only possible approach, but we are confident that the process we outline will serve as a useful framework and encourage international dialogue and action among leaders, experts and the public on strategies for achieving global zero:
PHASE I (2010 - 2013)
Following the ratification of the New START Treaty, the US and Russia will negotiate a bilateral accord to reduce to 1,000 total warheads each (to be implemented by 2018). Earlier if possible, but not later than the ratification of the US-Russia bilateral accord, all other nuclear weapons countries will freeze the total number of warheads in their arsenals and commit to participate in multilateral negotiations for proportionate reductions of stockpiles. Preparation for multilateral negotiations will then begin.
PHASE II (2014 - 2018)
In a multilateral framework, the US and Russia will agree to reduce to 500 total warheads each (to be implemented by 2021) as long as all other nuclear weapons countries agree to maintain the freeze on their stockpiles until 2018, followed by proportionate reductions until 2021. A comprehensive verification/enforcement system will be established, including no-notice, on-site inspections, and safeguards on the civilian nuclear fuel cycle will be strengthened in order to prevent diversion of materials to build weapons.
PHASE III (2019 - 2023)
Negotiate a Global Zero Accord: a legally binding international agreement, signed by all nuclear capable countries, for the phased, verified, proportionate reduction of all nuclear arsenals to zero total warheads by 2030.
PHASE IV (2024 - 2030)
Complete the phased, verified, proportionate dismantlement of all nuclear arsenals to zero total warheads by 2030, and continue the comprehensive verification and enforcement system prohibiting the development and possession of nuclear weapons.
Download the full Global Zero Action Plan.
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