As the world drags its feet on fully committing to and funding the transition from fossil fuel energy to clean energy alternatives, the devastating impacts are felt most acutely by marginalized communities around the world.
Teresa Anderson, the Global Lead on Climate Justice at ActionAid International, said:
“To step up the energy transition, we need COP29 to unlock the funds. An ambitious climate finance goal worth trillions of dollars each year will finally help the developing countries already drowning in debt from climate impacts, to afford to scale up renewable energy and leapfrog the fossil fuel era.
It’s important that the new goal on climate finance focuses on grants to governments rather than loans and private finance. Ensuring a just transition in energy isn’t just about replacing technology and can’t just be left up to the private sector. A responsible energy transition must actively involve communities and invest in infrastructure, training, social protections, and sustainable livelihoods.
Agreeing an ambitious new climate finance goal to accelerate the shift away from fossil fuels now will be far, far cheaper than the escalating costs of runaway climate breakdown later.”
Friday Ogezi the Climate Justice Advisor for Liberia and Nigeria at ActionAid International, said:
“Every day more than 2.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas are flared in the Niger Delta releasing pollutants that have poisoned water sources, destroyed farmland, and sickened people. The once vibrant community is now a shadow of its former self.
At this COP it is important to ensure that the needs of vulnerable communities are prioritised in energy transition conversations and decisions.
The oil companies have stolen our future. We demand a just transition backed by adequate finance in the form of grants. The time for empty promises is over. It’s time for action.”
The experiences of communities in the Niger Delta are a stark reminder of the human cost of fossil fuels. The world must immediately phase out fossil fuels and fund renewable energy solutions.
Ends
Teresa Anderson and Friday Ogezi are at COP29 and available for media interviews.
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About ActionAid
ActionAid is a global federation working with more than 41 million people living in more than 71 of the world’s poorest countries. We want to see a just, fair, and sustainable world, in which everybody enjoys the right to a life of dignity, and freedom from poverty and oppression. We work to achieve social justice and gender equality and to eradicate poverty.