MANILA, October 27, 2021. A few days before the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change summit (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland, climate advocates from 350 Pilipinas held a dragon & lion dance at the Chinese Embassy in Manila to rally for Asian-led leadership for the upcoming conference.
At the United Nations General Assembly in September, President Xi Jinping of China announced the country will cease funding of coal-fired power plants abroad. The announcement was seen by the global community as a potential game-changer for climate action, as it sets a valuable precedent for other countries to follow suit in terms of ambition and urgency to meet the emissions reduction targets that have been set in the Paris Agreement. While waiting for further pertinent details regarding the timeline, scope, and impact of this announcement on existing projects, climate activists are urging other major fossil fuel project supporters, especially private financiers for oil and gas in the West, to follow suit.
The dragon dance — which is commonly performed during festive occasions — symbolizes the need for renewal, a tone which at this time, is needed to drive home the message that climate activists are stressing — that the time to act is now.
“Coming from one of the most vulnerable areas to the impacts of climate change, we chose to hold the dance to highlight the need for a shared and concerted effort to respond to one of the greatest challenges of our time”, said Fread De Mesa, National Coordinator of 350 Pilipinas.
The upcoming climate conference in Glasgow COP26 is the first time that parties are expected to commit to enhanced ambitions since the Paris Agreement in 2015. The delegations of countries are meeting at a crucial moment to push for fair, ambitious and binding emissions reduction targets under their nationally determined contributions.
China’s announcement to step up support for other developing countries in pursuing green and low-carbon energy, sets the stage for concerted climate action that focuses on ensuring our common future to thrive even as we face the impacts of climate change.
“There is a clear imperative to act by jumpstarting the energy transition to be able to meet decarbonization targets as well as to usher in low-carbon development in Asia, which hosts more than half of the world’s population,” said Chuck Baclagon, Regional Finance Campaigner of 350.org. “ Our message is that clean energy translates to a healthy environment, but also to a new sustainable and prosperous future that benefits both people and the planet.”
World governments find themselves at a critical juncture, whether or not they will choose to continue from the status quo of pollution and global warming or to pave the way for a new low carbon economy that works for everyone.
More photos: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/3/folders/1b_f5ndOxhuyYcDVhkwXsfyFvmfbqD2J-
ABOUT: 350 Pilipinas, is a climate advocacy group working for a safe climate and a better future in the Philippines as the national affiliate of 350.org Asia
CONTACT: Chuck Baclagon, 350.org Pilipinas: +639272412743, chuck@350.org