A phase-out of all fossil energies is necessary – Implement a powerful damage and loss fund – Climate protection must be carried out in a socially fair way
Vienna, 23 November 2023. The “Alliance for Climate Justice”, made up of 26 Austrian environmental, development and social organizations, calls for immediate action on climate protection and its financing on the occasion of COP28.. “The consequences of the climate crisis are increasing enormously. This is felt mainly by countries that cause almost no emissions: natural disasters, droughts and floods destroy their livelihoods, lead to crop failures and water shortages and thus fuel poverty and inequality. “We therefore call for an immediate end to fossil fuel subsidies, an exit from fossil fuels by 2050 at the latest, and the implementation of a powerful damage and loss fund so that climate protection is socially fair, especially in the South Global.”
Mana Omar (SASAL, Kenya) calls for the voices of people disproportionately affected in the Global South to be heard and prioritized in climate decisions: “As we strive to achieve climate justice, we must ensure that the voices of disproportionately affected communities are heard and considered, and that they are prioritized in climate decisions. I speak from the perspective of pastors in Kenya. Despite the weight of the climate crisis they face, these communities are still excluded from decision-making. I urge all of you to consider your concerns and demands at the upcoming launch of the Loss and Damage Fund at COP28. We cannot resolve the popular crisis without the people. I appeal to all journalists to help us disseminate the key messages and concerns of pastoral leaders, and I appeal to you to stand with us and other affected and unheard communities.”
Environmental protection organization WWF Austria calls for an agreement from the global community to phase out fossil fuels: “The global inventory is an important test of how serious the global community is about climate protection. It is already clear in advance that a delayed course correction is necessary. To achieve this, all countries must rapidly improve their national climate protection plans for 2030 and set ambitious targets for 2035, in line with the 1.5 degree limit”, he states. WWF climate spokesperson Thomas Zehetner. “We cannot afford another weak climate conference like last year’s in Egypt. We therefore finally need a plan for the global phase-out of all fossil fuels by 2050 at the latest. Because, just as there was a global agreement on the urgency of the climate crisis with the Paris Climate Agreement, an agreement on the Its solution is now necessary: the gradual and comprehensive phase-out of fossil fuels.”
The coordination office of the Austrian Bishops’ Conference (KOO) calls for the implementation of the damage and loss fund for industrialized countries: “The climate conference must not only determine how the powerful new damage and loss fund will work, but also make a decision on the target level of the fund. “The Austrian federal government must support the EU in committing to a comprehensive initial contribution to the new damage and loss fund at this COP,” it demands KOO Climate Expert Martin Krenn. “Only if industrialized countries fulfill their responsibility can the new fund be implemented and thus reliably support the most vulnerable population groups in the climate crisis.”
Südwind calls for a balance of interests so that climate protection does not worsen social inequality: “In addition to financial compensation, a special balance of interests must also be taken into account in the interests of climate justice. To ensure that climate protection measures do not worsen social inequality, particularly vulnerable and marginalized groups must be included in decision-making and planning processes at all levels – on an equal basis and taking into account their needs. This includes women, indigenous groups, rural populations, migrants, young people and people with disabilities”, he states. Südwind climate spokesperson Lisa Aigelsperger. “Climate protection must always go hand in hand with human rights, poverty reduction and gender equality. This applies both to national climate protection and to measures initiated through international climate finance, for example in the extraction of raw materials for the energy transition. We can only solve the climate crisis together. This ultimately requires a transparent, solution-oriented and inclusive policy.”
The Climate Justice Alliance demand document is available here.
South Wind Petition: Fair compensation for climate damage
Availability of experts at COP28 in Dubai:
Mana Omar, SASAL, in Dubai from November 28th. until December 8th, [email protected]
Thomas Zehetner, WWF, in Dubai, from December 6th to 13th. [email protected]
Martin Krenn, K.O.O., in Dubai from November 29th. until December 8, [email protected]
Lisa Aigelsperger, South Windin Dubai, December 8-14, [email protected]