This newsletter is also available in French and Spanish.
Recently, there has been a lot of energy surrounding climate change countermeasures. From COP16 in Colombia and the G20 in Brazil to COP29 in Azerbaijan, major international conferences are taking place one after another, where important decisions on climate change targets are being taken.
So we’re taking a two-pronged approach to ensure these moments aren’t all talk and no action. First, we are at a massive global gathering urging world leaders to:
Strengthen climate ambition Mobilize more finance for renewable energy And most importantly, listen to historically marginalized communities when making big climate decisions is
At the same time, our teams around the world are putting pressure on their own governments and decision-makers through protests, stunts, and activist training. Please take a look!
Join our Our Power mailing list to stay up-to-date on climate action from around the world. We’ll send you the stories that matter, the campaigns that inspire, and more directly to you every month.
movement update Check out our latest efforts for climate solutions and energy justice.
Championing Indigenous Leadership at Biodiversity COP
This week we were highly present at Biodiversity COP16 in Cali, Colombia, championing community-led energy transitions and uplifting indigenous leaders. Together with our partners, we organized a powerful indigenous mobilization and two engaging side events to make a fossil-free and just energy future a reality in the Amazon. The launch of the G9 group, made up of leaders from nine Amazonian countries, demonstrated that as true guardians of nature, indigenous leaders should also be at the decision-making table when tackling the climate crisis.
Seeking tax justice in France
The French government’s proposed budget for 2025 cuts the environmental transition, public services and development aid. In response, our team held a symbolic and powerful classroom outside Parliament (Parliament) to remind MPs of their obligations to the people and the planet. We also hosted a webinar with speakers from our network sharing their expertise on taxing the wealthy, and co-hosted the Tax Justice Forum in Paris, which brought together 150 citizens to discuss reducing inequality and the climate crisis. We have developed emergency measures aimed at effectively combating this. The fight for tax justice must continue!
Africa Energy Week Rejection
We marched with over 1,000 activists in Johannesburg, South Africa to protest Africa Energy Week (AEW). Spaces like AEW allow fossil fuel giants to exert influence and exploit Africa’s resources for the benefit of global elites, while African communities remain poor. A notable example is the promotion of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), which will displace communities and destroy ecosystems in Uganda and Tanzania. To learn more about our demand for an end to this harmful exploitation, watch our interview or read the open letter supported by over 250 African civil society organizations.
SStrengthening Asia’s climate change leadership
The ninth edition of the Asia Solidarity Lab Fellowship brought together 22 campaigners, organizers and activists from 11 countries in a ground-breaking program that empowers emerging leaders in climate justice. The fellowship on “Climate Citizenship for Global Solidarity” hosted by IBEKA helped participants gain skills in organizing climate justice campaigns through online mentoring, community circles, and in-person activities. The newly formed network is ready to contribute to socially just climate and energy solutions and reshape the region’s future.
climate technical terminology Uncover the terms and concepts used by climate activists and experts
Conference of the Parties (COP)
Conference of the Parties refers to an international conference where countries meet to discuss important issues.
When we talk about COP within the climate change movement, we usually refer to the United Nations Conference on Climate Change (UNFCCC) or “Climate COP.” This is an annual conference where countries negotiate new actions and review progress in tackling the climate crisis. The first Climate COP was held in Germany in 1995.
The last COP or COP28 was held in Dubai in 2023, where countries agreed to triple global renewable energy by 2030. Scroll down in our Renewable Energy Overview section to see how we’re working towards that goal. This year’s COP29 will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan from November 11th to 22nd. Check out this glossary to quickly understand COP-related terms.
As you read above, another important COP is the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD) or “Biodiversity COP”, which is held every two years to address nature and biodiversity issues.
community spotlight Get inspired by stories and interviews with real people fighting for a just energy transition
Activist Profile: Genesis Whitlock
Genesis Whitlock, a young activist from Antigua and Barbuda. Photo: antiguanewsroom.com
Genesis is a Caribbean Climate Network activist from the island nation of Antigua and Barbuda. She is deeply connected to nature through her grandmother’s garden and traditional Caribbean dishes such as ackee and yucca. After 2017’s devastating Hurricane Irma, she and her grandmother began growing more food, inspiring others to do the same, and building resilience to climate impacts in their community . Genesis advocates for food system protection as her community faces climate injustice, land grabbing, and food insecurity. She believes those most affected by the climate crisis need access to climate finance to shape climate policy and repair the damage. She supports community-based renewable energy and sustainable food production projects, particularly solar power for farms.
Find out more and read about Genesis’ advocacy for climate justice in the Caribbean.
Renewable run down Stay informed about the big numbers, important facts and important news
34%
This is projected to fall short of the goal of tripling renewable energy by 2030, or the big commitment countries made during last year’s COP28 to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C. I mean, is it?
We now have an official report card tracking this and other goals set during COP28 (known as the UAE Consensus). This indicates that annual renewable energy generation needs to increase from 3.9 terawatts (TW) today to 11.2 TW by 2030. However, current national plans predict a global gap of 3.8 TW by 2030, leaving the target 34 TW short. %.
In 2023, renewable energy is on track, but still off track. Achieving this energy goal will require increasing investment in renewable energy from $570 billion in 2023 to $1.5 trillion annually through 2030. That’s why we’re calling on countries to set even more ambitious goals for their next round of climate action.
your force Help us demand real climate action
As the United Nations Biodiversity Conference COP16 is held in Cali, the Colombian government has just officially recognized the indigenous peoples of the Colombian Amazon as having the right to protect their lands.
This is great. Because, despite having centuries of knowledge about environmental protection, indigenous communities, some of the most vulnerable to the impacts of the climate crisis, have more to offer to protect one of the world’s most climate-sensitive regions. Because it gives you a lot of bargaining power and autonomy. We’re now asking all other Amazon presidents to do the same, and we need your help.
Join us in telling other Latin American leaders to follow Colombia’s lead and recognize the power of indigenous communities to protect our precious nature.
give energy Gain the skills to fight the climate crisis and grow our movement
We have a great opportunity for you! But first, please take the time to answer if you would like to:
Do you want to build a world that prioritizes people and the planet? Gain the skills and inspiration to develop renewable energy projects? Fight for policies that support renewable energy? Connect with global advocates for a renewable energy future.
If you answered yes to any of the above, apply to join Renew Our Power, the first global gathering focused on scaling community-led renewable energy projects. This training will be held in Brasilia, Brazil in April 2025 and will help you unlock your agency’s potential through skills training, workshops, and inspiring stories. Application deadline is November 30, 2024!
For more climate change news, follow 350 on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram
