Students of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Manila participate in the Global Climate Strike. (Photo: 350.org Pilipinas)
Youth across Asia mobilized this week as part of the Global Climate Strike 2024 with a powerful message to Global North countries: as those most responsible for climate change, they must pay up US$5 trillion annually as part of their climate debt to the Global South, whose communities are least responsible but most affected by the climate crisis.
Bannering the call, “Asia’s Future Will be Powered by the Sun, the Wind, and the People,” 350.org and its partner organizations spearheaded actions in Bangladesh, Indonesia, Japan, and the Philippines ahead of Climate Week in New York City, where key countries are expected to announce their new national climate targets, also known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), ahead of the early 2025 deadline. These announcements will represent a litmus test for global climate ambition as November’s UN climate conference COP29 in Azerbaijan draws near.
“Hundreds of climate strikes are happening across Asia, a testament that the movement for a rapid energy revolution based on justice and equity is growing. We call on leaders in Asia to prioritize affordable and community-centered renewable energy solutions, especially for the vulnerable.
Norly Mercado, 350.org Asia Regional Director.
“Hundreds of climate strikes are happening across Asia, a testament that the movement for a rapid energy revolution based on justice and equity is growing. We call on leaders in Asia to prioritize affordable and community-centered renewable energy solutions, especially for the vulnerable. We need leaders from rich countries to pay up and fund this energy transition by taxing billionaires and fossil fuel companies who have contributed most to the climate crisis. We will continue to show force until our governments listen to our calls for a future which is centered on the people and the planet,” said Norly Mercado, 350.org Asia Regional Director.
In Bangladesh, a centralized action in Dhaka and decentralized strikes in 16 locations across the country, including in communities led by women and indigenous peoples, called for a Green New Deal to galvanize the transition to people-centered renewable energy.
“We, the South Asian people, are calling for a Green New Deal to be included in our NDCs. People are literally drowning due to climate impacts. We cannot further drown our economy with oil loans.”
Amanullah Porag, 350.org South Asia Mobilisations Coordinator.
“Most South Asian countries like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives are some of the lowest historical contributors to global carbon emissions, but are hit the hardest by climate impacts. We must ensure that our NDCs are powered by the sun, the wind, and the people and not oil companies. We must act now to ensure that no money is invested in fossil fuels. We, the South Asian people, are calling for a Green New Deal to be included in our NDCs. People are literally drowning due to climate impacts. We cannot further drown our economy with oil loans,” said Amanullah Porag, 350.org South Asia Mobilisations Coordinator.
Throughout the week, actions will be held in 22 cities across Indonesia.
“We urge the incoming government to accelerate the transition to renewable energy by strengthening its climate commitments through ambitious NDCs and tripling the current renewable energy mix by 2030 by opening up public and community participation.”
Sisilia Nurmala Dewi, 350.org Indonesia Team Lead.
“By participating in the Global Climate Strike, the youth have proven that we are not just passive observers; we are catalysts for change. Indonesia stands at a crossroads, facing critical democratic and climate challenges. We have witnessed firsthand how the unchecked pursuit of economic growth has devastated our environment and blatantly disregarded climate commitments and human rights. Corporate interests within the current political system poses a significant obstacle to meaningful climate action and social progress. We urge the incoming government to accelerate the transition to renewable energy by strengthening its climate commitments through ambitious NDCs and tripling the current renewable energy mix by 2030 by opening up public and community participation,” said Sisilia Nurmala Dewi, 350.org Indonesia Team Lead.
In Japan, 35 actions engaging diverse audiences–such as marches and people’s assemblies, film screenings, performances, book readings, and symposiums–were held nationwide, with a centralized “For Earth, For Us” event in Tokyo.
“As the world’s fifth-largest CO2 emitter, Japan bears a historical responsibility to lead by example. We must present an ambitious NDC to the table and decisively shift our public financing from dirty fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy.”
Hinako Arao, 350.org Japan Team Lead
“As the world’s fifth-largest CO2 emitter, Japan bears a historical responsibility to lead by example. We must present an ambitious NDC to the table and decisively shift our public financing from dirty fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy. This Climate Week, citizens across Japan are taking action to demand that our government enact policies to accelerate renewable energy expansion and rapidly decarbonize our energy sector. In solidarity with all communities fighting for climate justice, we will keep pushing until our government follows our vision of a safe future for all,” said Hinako Arao, 350.org Japan Team Lead.
In the Philippines, a week-long strike that emphasized artivism and the role of the youth in climate action was held in various universities. It featured educational talks, fashion shows, cultural performances, as well as practical demonstrations of climate solutions, such as free solar charging stations. The students called on the Philippine government and financial institutions such as the Asian Development Bank to divest from fossil fuels, and to make polluters pay for a just and equitable energy transition.
“Climate justice demands the dismantling of structural inequalities that deepen the vulnerabilities of marginalized communities. We must create inclusive solutions that empower the people and build climate resilience for a just and sustainable future.”
Kim Modelo, Student Regent of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines
“The youth are striking today in the Philippines, an island nation on the frontlines of the climate crisis. We face devastating impacts of extreme weather, rising seas, and resource shortages that ravage agriculture, health, and infrastructure. Climate justice demands the dismantling of structural inequalities that deepen the vulnerabilities of marginalized communities. We must create inclusive solutions that empower the people and build climate resilience for a just and sustainable future,” said Kim Modelo, Student Regent of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines.
Notes to editors:
- The Global Climate Strike, held every September, is a series of youth-led strikes all over the world to highlight the lack of inaction on the climate crisis. First started by Fridays For Future, it has since grown into a broad movement, with participation by 350 Asia.
- Several studies from an array of organisations, including the International Energy Agency, the UN’s Environment Programme, the London School of Economics, the World Bank, have said that between US$2.3 – US$10 trillion is needed to be paid each year by the Global North to the Global South. Another study, by ecological economist Andrew L. Fanning and anthropologist Jason Hickel, have calculated that even if the world takes urgent and sufficient action to limit warming to an average 1.5°C, fair reparations for the costs to the Global South caused by past decades of excessive pollution in the Global North, combined with projected escalating impacts, would come to US$192 trillion by 2050. Breaking that down and taking an average, the annual climate debt that wealthy countries need to pay to developing countries comes in at US$5trillion.
- During the COVID19 pandemic, rich countries found US$16 trillion to support their economies, while annually US$7 trillion of public money goes to fossil fuel giants through various environmentally harmful subsidies and incentives and G7 countries pay more than US$1 trillion to pay for wars and conflicts. Progressive tax measures targeting the wealthiest could raise up to US$2 trillion for climate finance.
- ‘Good’ NDCs must include concrete fossil fuel phase-out plans, ambitious and fair renewable energy targets, civil society participation process, as well as timelines for achieving set targets High quality, public finance that is accessible to these communities is also essential for Global South countries to commit to ambitious climate goals.
Media contact:
Ilang-Ilang Quijano
350.org Asia Communications Manager
ilang.quijano@350.org