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The energy around climate action is buzzing these days. Major international meetings where big decisions on climate goals are taken are happening one after another – from COP16 in Colombia and G20 in Brazil to COP29 in Azerbaijan.
So we’re taking a two-fold approach to make sure that these moments are not all talk and no action. First, we are showing up at big global gatherings to urge world leaders that they must:
- Step up their climate ambitions
- Mobilize more money for renewables
- And most importantly, listen to the historically marginalized communities when making big climate decisions
At the same time, our teams across the world are putting pressure on governments and decision-makers in their own countries through protests, stunts and activist training. Take a look!
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Movement Updates Discover our latest actions demanding climate solutions & energy justice
Championing Indigenous Leadership at the Biodiversity COP
We showed up in a big way this week at the Biodiversity COP16 in Cali, Colombia to champion community-led energy transition & lift up Indigenous leaders. With our partners, we held a powerful Indigenous mobilization and two engaging side events for a fossil free and a just energy future in the Amazon. Our launch of the G9 group comprising leaders from nine Amazonas nations showed that as the true guardians of nature, Indigenous leaders should also be at the decision-making table when addressing the climate crises.
Demanding Tax Justice in France
The Budget proposal tabled by the French government for 2025 slashes the ecological transition, public services and development aid. In response, our team staged a symbolic yet powerful classroom outside the Parliament (National Assembly), reminding parliamentarians of their duties to citizens and the planet. We also hosted a webinar with speakers from our networks sharing expertise on taxing the richest and co-hosted the Tax Justice Forum in Paris, which brought together 150 citizens to design urgent measures aiming at reducing inequality and efficiently fighting against the climate crisis. The fight for tax justice must go on!
Rejecting the Africa Energy Week
We marched with over 1,000 activists in Johannesburg, South Africa to protest the African Energy Week (AEW). Spaces like AEW are allowing fossil fuel giants to exert their influence and exploit Africa’s resources for global elites, while African communities remain impoverished. A glaring example is the promotion of East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), which displaces communities and destroys ecosystems in Uganda and Tanzania. To learn more about our demands that call for an end to this harmful exploitation, watch our interview or read our open letter endorsed by over 250 African civil society groups.
Strengthening Asia’s Climate Leaders
Our ninth edition of the Asia Solidarity Lab Fellowship, brought together 22 campaigners, organizers, and activists from 11 countries in a groundbreaking program to empower emerging leaders in climate justice. Hosted by IBEKA, the fellowship on Climate Citizenship for Global Solidarity helped participants gain skills to organize climate justice campaigns through online mentoring, community circles, and in-person activities. The newly formed network is now ready to contribute to socially just climate and energy solutions and reshape the region’s future.
Climate Jargon Unpack the terms & concepts being used by climate activists & experts
Conference of the Parties (COP)
Conference of the Parties refers to international meetings where countries come together to discuss important issues.
Within the climate movement, when people talk about COP, they usually mean the United Nations Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC) or the “Climate COP”, an annual meeting where countries negotiate new actions and review progress in tackling the climate crisis. The first climate COP happened in Germany in 1995.
The last COP or COP28 was held in Dubai in 2023 where the countries agreed to triple the global renewable energy by 2030. Scroll down the Renewable Rundown section to see how we are doing on that goal. COP29 this year is taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan from 11 – 22 November. Take a look at this glossary to become a quick expert in COP-related terms!
As you read above, another important COP is the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD) or the ‘Biodiversity COP’ held every two years to address nature & biodiversity issues.
Community Spotlight Be inspired by stories & interviews of real people who are fighting for a just energy transition
Activist Profile: Genesis Whitlock
Genesis Whitlock, young activist from Antigua and Barbuda. Photo: antiguanewssroom.com
Genesis is an activist with the Caribbean Climate Network from the island country of Antigua and Barbuda. She is deeply connected to nature through her grandmother’s garden and Caribbean food traditions like ackee and yucca. After the devastating Hurricane Irma in 2017, she and her grandmother began growing more food and inspired others to do the same, building resilience against climate impacts in their community. Genesis advocates for protecting food systems as her community faces climate injustice, land dispossession, and food insecurity. She believes those most affected by the climate crisis should shape climate policies and access climate finance to repair harm. She supports community-based renewable energy and sustainable food production projects, especially solar power for farms.
Watch and read more about Genesis’ advocacy for climate justice in the Caribbean.
Renewable Rundown Get informed on big numbers, key facts and important news
34%
This is how much we are projected to fall short of the goal to triple renewable energy by 2030 – the big commitment made by countries during COP28 last year to help limit global heating to 1.5°C.
We now have the official report card tracking this and other goals set during COP28 (known as the UAE Consensus). It shows that we need to raise renewable energy annual capacity from 3.9 terawatts (TW) today to 11.2 TW by 2030. However, countries’ current national plans are expected to leave a global collective gap of 3.8 TW by 2030, missing the target by 34%.
Despite good progress in renewable energy in 2023, we are still off-track. To meet this energy goal, renewable energy investments must increase from $570 billion in 2023 to $1.5 trillion each year until 2030. That’s why we’re pushing countries to set more ambitious targets for their next round of climate commitments.
Your Power Support us in demanding real climate action
With the UN Biodiversity Conference COP16 taking place in Cali, the Colombian Government has just officially recognized that Indigenous People in the Colombian Amazon have the authority to protect their own lands.
This is wonderful because it gives the Indigenous communities, who have centuries old knowledge in protecting our environment but are most vulnerable to climate crisis impacts, a lot more bargaining power and autonomy to protect one of the most climate-sensitive areas in the world. We are now asking all other Amazon presidents to do the same, and we need your help!
Stand with us in telling other Latin American leaders to follow Colombia’s lead and recognize the power of Indigenous communities in protecting our precious nature:
Energize Build your skills to tackle the climate crisis and widen our movement
We have an amazing opportunity for you! But first, take a moment to answer if you want to:
- Build a world that prioritizes people and the planet?
- Gain 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 said yes to any of the above, apply to join Renew Our Power—the first global gathering focused on scaling community-led renewable energy projects. The training takes place in April 2025 in Brasilia, Brazil, where we will help you unlock your agency through skills training, workshops, and inspiring stories. The deadline to apply is 30 November 2024!
