Joined by System Change Not Climate Change, a global coalition of climate justice groups has issued a set of demands to the world governments assembling in Sharm El Sheik, Egypt, for COP27, the United Nations’ largest climate gathering of the year.
The group’s statement identifies capitalism as destroying life as we know it and calls for Big Polluters to be kicked out of the annual UN conference that they have corrupted for the past 26 years.
The coalition’s statement has been signed by more than 425 organizations comprising a cross-section of the global movement for climate, economic, and social justice.
To world governments ahead of COP27:
The climate crisis is no longer on our doorsteps; it is here and now. Around the world, we are already experiencing irreversible damage to the planet, and the loss of homelands, cultures, ecosystems, and more – all of this on a daily basis. And it is the communities around the world that have contributed the very least to climate change that are paying the highest price–their lives and livelihoods.
We are living in a climate crisis, not because it was inevitable or unavoidable. Rather, we have witnessed world governments protect Big Polluters’ interests and fail year after year to deliver the needed climate equity and action to end the world’s fossil fuel addiction, and to rapidly and justly transition to a new global system – one that is equitable, socially just, gender responsive, nature-restoring, fossil-fuel-free, and life affirming.
We have witnessed world governments– particularly the U.S., EU, Norway, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand – cause countless delays and obstruct so many opportunities to meaningfully act. They have continued the legacy of racism, patriarchy, extractivism, and colonialism year after year, protecting the greed and profits of Big Polluters that continue to pillage and plunder from frontline communities with impunity.
We know who is to blame for the climate crisis. For over half a century, Big Polluters have known their deadly products would cause tremendous harm. What did they do? They hid the truth, sowed doubt, and invested billions of dollars to delay climate action. All in the name of greed and profits, no matter the cost to people and the planet. Why do you continue to support and enable them every step of the way?
We, the more than 425 organizations representing millions of people around the world, ask you– what do you stand for? Do you stand for the obscenely greedy, reckless, and deadly business practices of Big Polluters that have driven us to the brink of extinction? Or do you stand for a world where communities can thrive and where we protect and nurture the planet Earth that is our only home?
Ahead of COP27 happening in Sharm El Sheikh in November 2022, we demand:
1. No more writing the rules.
Big Polluters must not be granted access to climate policymaking. This allows them to continue to unduly influence, weaken, and undermine the global response to climate change, and it’s why we are on the brink of extinction. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change must urgently establish an Accountability Framework to end this corporate capture. As an immediate next step, beginning with COP27, all participants must be required to publicly disclose and declare their interests. People deserve to know who is at the policymaking table, and what their real agenda is.
2. No more bankrolling climate action.
No Big Polluter partnership or sponsorships of climate talks or climate action. Not now. Not ever. Major polluters must not be allowed to greenwash themselves and literally buy their way out of culpability for a crisis they have caused. Already, two major polluters have been named as COP27 partners- Coca-Cola, the world’s largest plastics polluter and a major political blocker of action; and Microsoft, the world’s largest tech partner to the oil and gas industry. The UNFCCC will always fail to deliver so long as this is deemed acceptable.
3. Polluters Out- People In.
While civil society has always participated in the COP process, governments have made it more difficult each time for NGOs and climate justice movements to have their voices heard. We need equitable, meaningful inclusion. Climate action must center the leadership and lived experience of the people, especially those on the frontlines of the climate crisis. With frontline communities in the lead, we must end the funding and validation of dangerous distractions and false solutions that promote Big Polluters’ profits, enable their abuses, and guarantee decades more of fossil fuel use.
4. Reset the system.
Capitalism is destroying life as we know it. It’s time to build a new way of living and collaborating that works for people, not polluters, and that restores, rather than destroys, nature. We need real, just, accountable, gender responsive, community-led, nature-restoring, and proven and transformative solutions to be implemented rapidly and justly. We need a total and equitable transition off of fossil fuels. We need real solutions that center the rights of Indigenous peoples, local communities and the protection of those speaking up for justice. We need an end to the impunity of corporate abuses.
Signatories
International
- 350.org
- ActionAid International
- Artists On The Frontline
- BankTrack
- Black Indigenous Liberation Movement
- Carbon Market Watch
- Care About Climate
- Center for International Environmental Law
- Climate Action Network International
- Climate Clock
- Climate Connect Digital
- Climate Save Movement
- Corporate Accountability
- Demand Climate Justice
- Earth Uprising International
- EarthRights International
- EcoEquity
- EDGE Funders
- Environmental Justice Foundation
- ESCR-Net (International Network for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights)
- ETC Group
- FIAN International
- Fridays For Future Digital
- Friends of the Earth International
- Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA)
- Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP)
- Global Forest Coalition
- Global Forum of Communities Discriminated On Work And Descent (GFOD)
- Global Witness
- GRAIN
- Grassroots to Global
- Greenpeace
- Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
- International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA)
- Leave it in the Ground Initiative (LINGO)
- LIFE Education Sustainability Equality
- Moxie Consultancy Collective
- Oil Change International
- Oxfam
- Parents For Future Global
- Rainforest Action Network
- Recourse
- Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous Peoples
- Stay Grounded
- Tebtebba (Indigenous Peoples International Centre for Policy Research and Education)
- The Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID)
- The Sunrise Project
- Third World Network
- Transition Network
- Transnational Institute
- Transparency International
- Unitarian Universalist Service Committee
- Urgent Action Fund for Women’s Human Rights
- War on Want
- Water Justice and Gender
- WECF International
- Whale and Dolphin Conservation
- Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN)
- Women’s Environment and Development Organization (WEDO)
- Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF)
- World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO)
- Zero Hour
Africa
- AbibiNsroma Foundation
- Africa Evangelical Church Development Programme
- Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ)
- African Center for Advocacy (ACA)
- Ako Foundation
- Association Nigérienne des Scouts de l’Environnement (ANSEN)
- Association pour la Conservation et la Protection des Ecosystèmes des Lacs et l’Agriculture Durable
- Bio Vision Africa (BiVA)
- Botswana Watch Organization
- Brainforest
- CADTM Afrique
- Centre de Recherches et d’Appui pour les Alternatives de Développement – Océan Indien (CRAAD-OI)
- Centre for Citizens Conserving Environment & Management (CECIC)
- Centre for Environmental Justice Togo
- Centre for Girls and Interaction (CEGI)
- Clean Up Kenya
- Collectif Sénégalais des Africaines pour la Promotion de l’Éducation Relative à l’Environnement ( COSAPERE)
- Congo Basin Conservation Society CBCS Network
- Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA)
- EATegrity
- Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR)
- Environmental Development Action in the Third World (ENDA)
- Endorois Indigenous Women Empowerment Network (EIWEN)
- Environmental Rights Action (ERA) / Friends of the Earth Nigeria
- Firelight Foundation
- Foundation for the Conservation of the Earth (FOCONE)
- Franciscans Africa
- GenderCC Southern Africa
- Green Development Advocates
- Green Leaf Advocacy and Empowerment Center
- Greener Tanzania Livelihood Organization
- Greenpeace Africa
- groundWork, Friends of the Earth South Africa
- Health of Mother Earth Foundation
- Humanity for Sustainable Development
- JA! Justica Ambiental / FOE Mozambique
- Jamaa Resource Initiatives
- Kikandwa Environmental Association
- Kishoka Youth Organization
- Ligue internationale Des Femmes Pour La Paix Et La Liberté
- Lumière Synergie pour le Développement
- Natural Justice
- New Apostolic Centre for Development (NCD)
- Oil watch Africa
- Organisation Non Gouvernementale Progrès National
- Pelum Zambia
- Power Shift Africa
- RECODEF AACJ
- Réseau des Organisations de la Société CIvile pour le DEveloppement du Tonkpi (ROSCIDET)
- Resource Link Foundation
- SAFE HOME
- South Durban Community Environmental Aliance
- Uganda Coalition for Sustainable Development
- Unissons nous Pour la Promotion des Batwa
- Vision for Alternative Development
- WoMin African Alliance
- Yna Kenya
- You-Lean Chad
- Zambia Alliance for Agroecology and Biodiversity (ZAAB)
Asia & Pacific
- 350.org Japan
- AIPNEE
- Al-Ard for Agricultural Development
- Alliance for Future Generations – Fiji
- Asha Parivar
- Asia Dalit Rights Forum
- Asia Pacific Transgender Network
- Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)
- Asian Peoples Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD)
- Association For Promotion Sustainable Development
- Aware Girls
- Bangladesh Krishok Federation
- Beyond Beijing Committee Nepal
- Bharat Jan Vigyan Jatha BJVj
- Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India
- Center for Environmental Concerns – Philippines
- Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur
- Climate Action Merri-bek
- Climate Action Network Japan
- Climate Club
- CNS
- Community Initiatives for Development in Pakistan
- Community Rural Development Society Nepal (CRDS Nepal)
- Creative Foundation Nepal
- Digo Bikas Institute
- Diverse Voices and Action (DIVA) for Equality
- Education Training & Service for Community- Nepal. (ETSC Nepal)
- EMPOWER INDIA
- Environics Trust
- ETSC Nepal
- Extinction Rebellion Indonesia
- Federation of Community Forestry Users, Nepal (FECOFUN)
- FoE Japan
- FridaysForFuture Pakistan
- Friends of the Earth Malaysia
- GrowthWatch
- Himalaya Niti Abhiyan
- IBON International
- Indian Social Action Forum
- Indigenous Peoples Organisation -Australia
- Indigenous Women Legal Awareness Group (INWOLAG)
- Institute for Strategic and Development Studies (ISDS)
- keepacoolworld
- Korean Advocates for Global Health (KAGH)
- Krityanand UNESCO Club Jamshedpur
- Let India Breathe
- Lok Shakti Abhiyan
- Manushya Foundation
- Mom Loves Taiwan Association
- Mountain Indigenous Knowledge Centre
- Movement for Advancing Understanding of Sustainability And Mutuality MAUSAM
- National Campaign for Sustainable Development Nepal
- National Coalition for Education
- Nepal Development Initiative
- New Zealand Climate Action Network
- NGO Forum on ADB
- North-East Affected Area Development Society (NEADS)
- Northern Beaches Climate Action Network
- Ole Siosiomaga Society Inc (OLSSI)
- Oyu Tolgoi Watch
- Pacific Islands Climate Action Network
- PAIRVI – India
- Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum
- Parents for Climate Aotearoa
- Paropakar Primary Health Care Centre PPUK
- PENGON / Friends of the Earth Palestine
- Public Association Women’s Organization Alga
- Rivers without Boundaries Mongolia
- Sanklapa Darchula Nepal(Sankalpa)
- Sisi Initiative Site Support Group
- Sukaar Welfare Organization
- Sustainable Menstruation Kerala Collective
- UNISC International
- WALHI / Friends of the Earth Indonesia
- Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines
Europe
- A Sud Ecologia e Cooperazione
- Aitec
- Alle Dörfer Bleiben (All villages stay)
- ASEED
- ATTAC España
- Attac France
- Attac Österreich
- BankTrack
- Biofuelwatch
- Bomenstichting Achterhoek
- BUNDjugend / Young Friends of the Earth germany
- CADTM France
- Cambridge Doughnut Economics Action Group
- Cambs Climate Justice Coalition
- Campaign against Climate Change
- CAN Europe
- Canopée
- CCFD – Terre Solidaire
- Changing Markets Foundation
- Chesterfield Climate Alliance
- Climate Action Network France
- Climáximo
- Collectif BreakFree Suisse
- Communication Workers Union (UK) NW Health, Safety & Environment Forum
- Cooperativa CICrA Justicia Ambiental
- Corporate Europe Observatory
- Culture Unstained
- Danish Association for a Living Sea
- Den Grønne Ungdomsbevægelse (The Green Youth Movement)
- Deutsche Stiftung Meeresschutz
- Divest Parliament
- Eco Action Families
- Eco Dharma Network
- Ecologistas en Acción
- European Coordination Via Campesina (ECVC)
- Emergenza Climatica
- ENERGIES 2050
- Enginyeria sense Fronteres
- Environmental Action South Yorkshire
- Environmental Investigation Agency
- ElasmOcean e.V.
- Extinction Rebellion Leeds
- Feminist Exchange Network
- Focus Association for Sustainable Development
- Food & Water Action Europe
- Fossil Free Sweden
- Fresh Eyes
- Fridays For Future – Soder om Soder (FFF SOS)
- Friends of the Earth Cyprus
- Friends of the Earth Europe
- Friends of the Earth Malta
- Friends of the Earth Norway (Naturvernforbundet)
- Friends of the Earth Scotland
- Fundación APY
- Fundacja “Rozwój TAK-Odkrywki NIE”
- GAFE-France
- Gallifrey Foundation
- Glasgow Calls Out Polluters
- Global Justice Now
- Gower St
- Grandparents For Future Austria
- Green Mazovia Assocciation
- Green New Deal Norwich
- Grup de Científics i Tècnics per un Futur No Nuclear – GCTPFNN
- Hellenic Platform for Development
- Islamic Relief Worldwide
- Journalists for Human Rights (JHR)
- Jugendrat Wien
- Just Transition Wakefield
- Kolektiv Z
- Law 4 Palestine
- Leave it in the Ground Initiative (LINGO)
- Legambiente
- Les Amis de la Terre France
- London Mining Network
- Mary Robertson Foundation
- Movimento No TAP/SNAM di Brindisi
- Music Declares Emergency
- New World Research
- NOAH- Friends of the Earth Denmark
- Nottingham Climate Assembly
- Novact
- Observatori DESC (Economic, Social, Cultural and Environmental Rights Observatory)
- Oil Workers’ Rights Protection Organization Public Union
- Parents For Future Austria
- Per il Clima Fuori dal Fossile
- Project HEARD
- Rapid Transition Alliance
- Razom We Stand
- Reclaim Finance
- Reclame Fossielvrij
- reGeneration Weston
- Research-Intellectual Club “Dialogue of Generations” RICDOG
- RIPESS Europe – Solidarity Economy Europe
- Save Inishowen from Gold Mining
- Sciaena
- Seas At Risk
- SETEM Catalunya
- Stamp Out Poverty
- Stop Ny Fossil Infrastruktur
- Stowarzayszenie Ekologiczne EKO-UNIA, Poland
- Stowarzyszenie Pracownia na rzecz Wszystkich Istot
- System Change Not Climate Change
- The Greens Movement of Georgia
- The Zetkin Collective
- Tipping Point UK
- Transition Crich
- Trócaire
- Umanotera, The Slovenian Foundation for Sustainable Development
- Unite Commuity York
- urgewald
- WeMove Europe
- Women’s Environmental Network (WEN)
- Working group Food Justice
- Yorkshire and Humber Climate Justice Coalition
- The Zetkin Collective
Latin America & the Caribbean
- 5Z / At-eN
- Árvore, Ser Tecnológico
- ArvoreAgua
- Asociación Americana de Juristas
- Asociación de pescadores artesanales del golfo de fonseca Honduras Apagolf
- Asociación Generaciones de Paz (ASDEPAZ)
- Asociación Interamericana para la Defensa del Ambiente (AIDA)
- Asociación Inti Illimani
- Asociación Latinoamericana de Medicina Social ALAMES – Ecuador
- CENSAT Agua Viva – Friends of the Earth Colombia-
- Centro de Desarrollo Humano (CDH)
- Centro de Documentación en Derechos Humanos “Segundo Montes Mozo S.J.” (CSMM)
- Centro Nicaragüenses de Conservación Ambiental – CENICA
- Centro para la Autonomía y Desarrollo de los Pueblos Indígenas – CADPI
- Climate Action Network Latin America (CANLA)
- Colectivo CASA
- Colectivo VientoSur
- Comité Ambiental en defensa de la vida Ibagué
- Comité defensor de la vida amazonica en lacuenca del río madera
- Consejo de Mujeres y Dos Espíritus (LGBT+) Lickanantay – Chile
- CooperAcción
- Cosecha Colectiva
- Enda Colombia
- Engajamundo
- FASE – Solidarity and Education
- Fridays for Future Ceará
- Fundación Lickanantay Chile
- Fundacion para Estudio e Investigaciones de la Mujer (FEIM)
- Fundación RENICC
- Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP) – LAC
- Geografía Crítica Ecuador
- Gobierno Territorial Autonomo de la Nacion Wampis
- Groupe d’Action Francophone pour l’Environnement GAFE Haïti
- Institut de Recherche-Formation pour l’Environnement et le Développement Durable – IRFEDD-Haïti
- Instituto para la Participacion y el Desarrollo (INPADE)
- Juventudes por Latinoamérica y el Caribe
- La Ruta del Clima
- Lucha por la Amazonia Boliviana
- Mouvement National Citoyen pour le Climat Alternatiba Haïti
- Movimiento Ciudadano Frente al Cambio Climatico
- Plataforma Boliviana Frente al Cambio Climatico (BFCC)
- Pueblo Originario Kichwa de Sarayaku
- Project on Organizing, Development, Education, and Research (PODER)
- Reaccion Climatica
- Red de Custodios del Archipiélago de Bosques y Selvas de Xalapa, Veracruz
- Red de Información y Acción Ambiental de Veracruz
- Sobrevivencia, Amigos de la Tierra Paraguay
- Taller Ecologista
- UFBA
- Vida Simbiotica
- Voluntarios Ambientalistas de la Región Amazónica
Middle East
- Climate Action Network Arab World/Africa
- Dibeen For Environmental Development
North America
- 198 methods
- 350 Conejo / San Fernando Valley
- 350NYC
- 350 Ventura County Climate Hub
- Accelerate Neighborhood Climate Action
- Arise for Social Justice
- Association québécoise des organismes de coopération internationale (AQOCI)
- California Kitchen
- Call to Action Colorado
- CAN-Rac Canada
- Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment
- CatholicNetwork US
- Center for Biological Diversity
- Citizen’s Alliance for a Sustainable Englewood
- Clean Energy Action
- Climate Action for Lifelong Learners (CALL)
- Climate Action Parry Sound
- Climate Defense Project
- Climate Justice Alliance
- CO2Action
- CO Dem Party – Energy and Environmental Initiative
- CODEPINK
- Code Pink Western Mass
- Communities United for Restorative Youth Justice (CURYJ)
- Community for Sustainable Energy
- Destination Zero
- Earth Ethics, Inc.
- Empower Our Future
- End Military Madness Against the Earth
- Extinction Rebellion US
- Florida Rising
- Fridays For Future Greater Sudbury
- Friends of the Earth Canada
- Global Institute for Sustainable Prosperity
- Grand(m)others Act to Save the Planet (GASP)
- Grassroots Global Justice Alliance
- Greater New Orleans Housing Alliance
- Green House Collaboration Center
- Green New Deal Virginia
- Health In Harmony
- Heinrich Böll Stiftung Washington, DC
- iakwatonhontsanonstats – Kahnawake Youth Climate Collective
- Indigenous Climate Action
- Indigenous Environmental Network
- Indivisible Ambassadors
- Interstate 70 Citizens Advisory Group
- Just Transition Alliance
- Larimer Alliance for Health, Safety & Environment
- Littleton Business Alliance
- Mayfair Park Neighborhood Association Board
- Mental Health & Inclusion Ministries
- Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light
- Montbello Neighborhood Improvement Association
- Native Movement
- New Energy Economy
- No Coal in Oakland
- North American Climate, Conservation and Environment (NACCE)
- North Range Concerned Citizens
- Oil and Gas Action Network
- Ordained Minister in the U.C.C.
- Pacific Environment
- Pesticide Action Network North America (PANNA)
- Primavera Zur
- Publish What You Pay – US
- Pueblo Action Alliance
- RapidShift Network
- Red Deer Center
- San Francisco Bay Physicians for Social Responsibility
- Save the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Seventh Generation Initiative
- Southwest Organization for Sustainability
- Spirit of the Sun
- Stand.earth
- Sunflower Alliance
- Surrey For Future
- System Change Not Climate Change
- Taproot Earth
- The Carmack Collective
- The Enviro Show
- Third Act Educators
- Third Act NYC
- Tonatierra
- Toronto Raging Grannies
- Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs
- Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC)
- Unite North Metro Denver
- USW Local 675
- Wall of Women
- Western Slope Businesses for a Livable Climate
- WildEarth Guardians
- Womxn from the Mountain
- Working for Racial Equity
- XR SF Bay
