2022: A Year of Hope

Climate reports and community care

We kicked off the year with the release of the IPCC Working Group 6 Report on climate impacts, and the science was stark. Which is why we took this time to ensure our communities had access to the report but also the opportunity to share their anxieties and grief in a safe and equitable way. The “350 Asia Community Call: Navigating grief, activism burnout and holding our movement close” was a great way to kick off the year with solidarity and hope.

Powering Limasawa.

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We love seeing people-powered climate solutions and renewable energy is not only good for the planet, it also helps rebuild communities affected by typhoons and other climate impacts. In April, 350 Pacific, 350 Asia and the Institute of Climate and Sustainable Cities teamed up to install a solar community charging station in Limasawa, Philippines. This was part of an initiative to help Limasawa communities rebuild in the wake of Super Typhoon Odette.

Watch how a solar community charging station is helping Limasawa rebuild their communities through renewable energy after Super Typhoon Odette. This system was a common initiative by 350 Pacific and the Institute of Climate and Sustainable Cities. @350pacific @icscph

Earth Day

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On Earth Day 2022, thousands of young people across Asia called on their governments and corporations to move away from climate-destroying fossil fuels. 350 Bangladesh asked polluters to pay the damage and limit emissions. 350 Philippines joined thousands of climate activists in an event called #PedalforPeopleandPlanet and Indonesia pushed for stakeholders to choose #PeopleNotProfit

Asia Development Bank must ditch fossil fuels

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Climate activists from 350 Pilipinas joined clean energy advocates at the Asian Development Bank headquarters, calling on the Asia Clean Energy Forum participants to lead the energy transition to power low-carbon development in Asia. This means a total departure from fossil-fuel financing and other dirty energy solutions like waste-to-energy and nuclear.

Japan stops coal aid to Matarbari and Indramayu projects.

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Half way through the year, we saw a win for people power! Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press Secretary Hikariko Ono announced the suspension of Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) for coal plants in Indonesia and Bangladesh. The decision brought to a halt the Japanese financial support for Bangladesh’s Matarbari coal-fired power plant phase 2 and Indonesia’s Indramayu coal-fired power plant. The fight continues to end JICA’s support of all phases of Matarbari coal-fired power plants and ensure none of these are simply transitioned to fossil gas power plants under the guise of false solutions.

Megabanks in misalignment

https://twitter.com/350_Japan/status/1541947900892045313

It was AGM (Annual General Meeting) season for Japanese megabanks and activists in June and activists employed an interesting new strategy. Several NGOs and citizens that are new shareholders of the Japanese megabank put forth a shareholder proposal calling for the bank’s business strategy to align with the goal of the Paris Agreement.

End finance for fossil fuels

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While CEOs broke out the champagne in July to celebrate record high profits in their skyscrapers, we were out on the streets to demand climate justice. Public and commercial banks must be held accountable for financing the climate crisis and propping up fossil fuels.

The climate crisis continues

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In September, more than 1,000 people were killed in Pakistan due to flooding worsened by climate change. The devastating floods claimed lives and livelihoods while fossil fuel billionaires continued to place profits over people. 350 Asia supported ongoing relief efforts in Pakistan and will continue to stand by communities on the frontlines of climate change.

Asia Solidarity Lab

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How do we strengthen the youth climate movement towards a #FossilFreeAsia to be regenerative, intersectional, and centered on care and solidarity amidst and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic? In September, 350 Asia invited people across the continent to the Asia Solidarity Lab 2022, a powerful gathering of youth organizers, campaigners, and activists to uplift emerging campaigns, compelling stories, and transformative joyful organizing in the region towards climate justice.

Weave of Hope

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Asia is known for its diversity. We have a long history of preserving diverse cultures and traditions. Through the “Weave of Hope”, 350.org Asia captured the similarities in this diversity, by inviting artists to work in various styles and variations, digitally. In the exhibition, a number of artists in Asia presented their works as a form of their concern about the climate crisis.

The G20 Ministers meeting in Bali

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The G20 is a global and multilateral cooperation between 19 countries and the European Union (EU). This group of 20 represents 60% of the global population, 75% of the global market, and 80% of the world’s gross domestic product (GDP). The G20 countries have a special role in fast-tracking the shift to a low-carbon world. In November, G20 ministers met in Bali and reaffirmed the importance of keeping global heating below 1.5 degrees celsius.

Just Energy Transition Partnership

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Leaders of the world’s richest nations gathered at the Heads of State and Governments Summit, part of the ongoing G20 Summit in Bali, Indonesia. At the summit, the Indonesia Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) was launched, which will mobilize US$20 billion to speed up the country’s energy transition from coal.

Indonesia is the world’s largest coal exporter and uses coal as its main energy source. JETP could be transformative if and only if designed and implemented with the principles of justice and transparency at its core. We can’t afford to wait any longer. We’ve all been experiencing monstrous weather events that cost lives and livelihoods. Real climate action must be demanded from world leaders in every way possible.

Real climate action should be expected from world leaders to prioritize, and we must keep banging down on their doors to remind them of their commitments. A real just energy transition is the only way to achieve a future that leaves no one behind.

Dirty Development

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On World Human Rights Day, 350 Bangladesh and 350 Asia stood in solidarity with the communities in Matarbari, Bangladesh. Since 2013 they have been bearing the brunt of the destructive impacts of coal plants. We premiered our new documentary ‘Matarbari: Dirty Development’ tomorrow 10 December. he documentary sheds light on the real cost of the Matarbari coal plant and challenges the ‘development’ narrative by rich countries like Japan that fossil fuels are the only way to usher in improvement in the quality of life. You can watch it and find out more: 350.org/matarbari