PRESS RELEASE | November 15, 2024
‘Fund our future’: Thousands mobilize across Asia to call on wealthy nations to commit to at least $1 trillion in climate reparations at COP29
In a Global Day of Action for Climate Justice, 350.org Asia mobilized citizens in streets and communities across the region to urge wealthy nations to commit at least US$1 trillion a year in climate reparations as world leaders make slow progress on a new climate finance goal at the ongoing COP29 climate talks in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Advocates, youth and climate-affected communities from Indonesia, Japan, Philippines, and Bangladesh gathered today in a powerful show of solidarity to push nations to keep the goal of limiting global temperatures to 1.5C alive. Their key message: nations historically responsible for the bulk of GHG emissions must provide substantial climate financing to developing countries in the form of grants. This funding is essential to support mitigation and adaptation efforts, while addressing loss and damage in vulnerable nations—countries that have contributed least to climate change yet bear the brunt of its devastating impacts.
“We need financing to unlock a just transition to low-carbon economies—not simply to meet global targets, but to ensure our communities can thrive despite climate disruptions.”
—Chuck Baclagon
Chuck Baclagon, 350.org Asia Regional Finance Campaigner says:
“Financial support is imperative to power our renewable energy efforts and adaptation strategies. We need financing to unlock a just transition to low-carbon economies—not simply to meet global targets, but to ensure our communities can thrive despite climate disruptions. Wealthy nations, whose prosperity was built on fossil fuels, have a profound responsibility to act–not just to meet survival needs, but to reorient development toward equity and ecological health over profit. We’re not asking for charity, but for a transformation in systems to support resilience and justice.”
In an action co-organized by 350.org Japan, Fridays for Future Tokyo, and My Future, citizens wore white to symbolize their call for peace amid wars and the climate crisis, noting that Japan’s current energy policy promotes nuclear power and fossil fuels.
“If Japan is serious about its climate commitments, it must prioritize the voices of citizens calling for people-centered climate solutions–that is, community-led renewables rather than dangerous distractions peddled by the fossil and nuclear industry.”
—Masayoshi Iyoda
Masayoshi Iyoda, 350.org Japan Campaigner says:
“The Japanese government faces people’s demands for a fossil fuel phaseout, a just transition to 100% renewables, and an ambitious climate finance agreement at COP29. Japan’s contribution to the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) must reflect its responsibility for the climate crisis as among the world’s top fossil fuel investors. But instead of divesting from fossil fuels, Japan is still notoriously financing fossil fuel technologies such as carbon capture and storage and ammonia co-firing with coal, as well as harmful nuclear energy. If Japan is serious about its climate commitments, it must prioritize the voices of citizens calling for people-centered climate solutions–that is, community-led renewables rather than dangerous distractions peddled by the fossil and nuclear industry.”
In Indonesia, one of the world’s top coal producers, 350.org Indonesia and Climate Rangers participated in actions in the cities of Jakarta, Solo and Surabaya to demand the new Prabowo administration to commit to phase out of fossil fuels and triple renewable energy by 2030 in its national climate goals or Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).
“As one of the world’s biggest economies, Indonesia has a huge obligation to act according to the urgency of the climate crisis and the gravity with which it impacts our communities.”
—Sisilia Nurmala Dewi
Sisilia Nurmala Dewi, 350.org Indonesia Team Lead says:
“In recent years, Indonesia has burned fossil fuels at a rate faster than any other country, ironically using more and more coal to power up its growing nickel industry. But burning fossil fuels at home to supply renewable energy technologies abroad defeats the essence of a just transition. Plans to ramp up oil and gas exploration, as well as biofuel that drives deforestation, as part of the new Prabowo administration’s bid for ‘energy independence’ are also worrying signs of policy regression. As one of the world’s biggest economies, Indonesia has a huge obligation to act according to the urgency of the climate crisis and the gravity with which it impacts our communities. There must be greater public participation in the NDC process and implementation to significantly scale up the community-based renewable energy solutions.”
In the Philippines, 350.org Pilipinas joined a march for climate justice participated by around 3,000 people in Quezon City. Recent powerful typhoons have caused several deaths, massive destruction and evacuation of thousands, some of whom are still without power and water.
“It is imperative that discussions on climate dues focus on empowering countries like ours to develop resilient, sustainable communities that prioritize people and renewable energy.”
—Fread de Mesa
Fread de Mesa, 350.org Pilipinas National Coordinator says:
“It is imperative that discussions on climate dues focus on empowering countries like ours to develop resilient, sustainable communities that prioritize people and renewable energy. To fund our future is to fuel our fight—to build resilient cities, not just to survive but to thrive. We demand climate justice, a lifeline for communities on the frontlines, powered by renewables and built to last. The road to COP29 isn’t just policy; it’s our survival. We’re not asking for a favor—we’re claiming what’s ours: a future where Filipinos flourish, driven by energy that lifts us, not destroys us.”
Meanwhile, youth from 350.org Bangladesh attending the COP29 said that a new climate finance goal must address the needs of vulnerable countries in South Asia that have faced extreme floods and droughts this year, which is set to become the hottest year on record.
The climate talks must mark the moment where climate finance moves from discussion to delivery, ensuring that a just transition becomes achievable for all nations, not just the wealthy few.”
—Amanullah Porag
Amanullah Porag, 350.org South Asia Mobilisations Coordinator says:
“Here at COP29, we can see many Global North countries trying to avoid their responsibility of providing money to the countries who are hit hardest because of climate change. What this means for vulnerable countries like Bangladesh is that communities still lack the resources needed to cope with the worst climate impacts and ensure climate action where it is needed most.
As a youth coming from a country that’s already drowning in debts, we don’t want the NCQG to be another fancy name for climate debts, we want equitable and accessible grants. The time for aspirational promises has passed. The climate talks must mark the moment where climate finance moves from discussion to delivery, ensuring that a just transition becomes achievable for all nations, not just the wealthy few.”
PHOTOS:
Here is the link to photos of actions which will be updated throughout the day, with the latest action taking place in Tokyo at 19:00 JST.
Media contact:
Ilang-Ilang Quijano
350.org Asia Communications Manager
ilang.quijano@350.org
+639175810934
*Masayoshi Iyoda (350.org Japan) and Amanullah Porag (350.org South Asia/Bangladesh) are on-site at COP29 in Baku and are available for interviews.