In the last COP28 Update blog post, I shared some of the news outlets’ coverage of notable announcements and other highlights (or low-lights) coming out of the conference. Today, on Day 8 of the conference, I’m sharing what some of the advocacy groups and activists are sharing from their experience and perspective. Following, is just a tiny sample.
The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) is very vocal in its support for the actions taken at COP28 to reduce methane emissions. In a statement, EDF President, Fred Krupp, says, “It is a very big deal that 50 companies responsible for 40% of global oil production have agreed to virtually eliminate their methane pollution.” Read, Methane Pledge Could be “Most Impactful International Climate Action” in Decades.
WWF is calling for “more action, fewer excuses” in their article, Halftime at the COP. In the article, they make the case that the encouraging flurry of pronouncements and commitments coming out of COP28 this year is unlike anything seen at previous COPS. But when it comes to COP, as the Global Stocktake demonstrates, pledges rarely turn into tangible results and meet urgent timetables that might prevent the worst effects of the climate emergency.
Greenpeace Africa is calling for all African leaders to deliver for Africa at COP28, demanding a “100% just transition to renewable energy.” You can read more about their demands for African Heads of State here.
We Don’t Have Time continues their daily live broadcasts from COP28. We are sharing their livestreams on our COP28 resource page (link below).
A press release from Climate Action Network International on December 5, 2023 declared that, “Study reveals that nearly 2,500 fossil fuel delegates are in COP28 and another report shows one year’s emissions from Europe’s nine major oil and gas companies could cause around 360,000 temperature-related future premature deaths.” The release concludes that, “The success of COP28 will not depend on speeches on big stages, new promises on top of old, broken ones but on whether leaders have the courage to call for a just and equitable phase out of all fossil fuels without excuses or exceptions.”
On December 4, 2023, Human Rights Watch released a new report, “‘You Can Smell Petrol in the Air’: UAE Fossil Fuels Feed Toxic Pollution”. In a news release, Richard Pershouse, environment director at Human Rights Watch says, “Fossil fuels pollute the air people breathe in the UAE. But the obliteration of civil society by UAE’s government means that no one can publicly express concerns, let alone criticize the government’s failure to prevent this harm.” The UAE, of course, is the COP28 host country.
GreenTV.com’s coverage of COP28 continues on the GreenTV.com COP28 resource page. Check back often during the conference for updates, live streams, and reports from contributors.