Climate justice

COP26

The coaltion of campaign groups which we’re part of in the run up to the UN climate talks in Glasgow next year is planning a major online conference this November, around the time when COP26 should have been held.

There’s also a series of weekly introductory workshops happening right now. Follow the coaliton on social media for more:

facebook.com/cop26coalition twitter.com/COP26_Coalition instagram.com/cop26coalition

UK fossil fuel finance

There have been further encouraging signs in recent weeks that the government is close to announcing an end to all UK financing of fossil fuels via the aid budget and UK Export Finance before COP26 next year. It would be the first country to make such an announcement, making this a huge win for everyone involved in the campaign. So thank you again for all of your support!

That being said, it is important to push the government to make this announcement as soon as possible to prevent any rowing back and to ensure good ambition for COP26 is set as early as possible. In September we initiated a mass social media action encouraging the prime minister to use his opportunities to speak at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) to announce the change, whilst also working behind the scenes to increase pressure on the government.

Unfortunately he didn’t do this, so the announcement could be delayed until the Finance in Common Summit in November, or even until next year It is also worth noting that, even after the announcement is made, we will still be campaigning for the UK to divest from its existing fossil fuel support and step up its financial support for a just energy transition. CDC Group, the UK’s development bank, claimed it in July it would stop fossil fuel investments, but has now announced that it would not divest from existing investments and could make indirect investments in fossil fuels up to 2022. Clearly we need to keep up the pressure.

Take action

We need your help to remind the government that this policy needs to be changed now. Raising this issue with your MP, of whatever party, could be important - contact daniel.willis@globaljustice.org.uk for advice and a template letter.

You could also organise a Zoom meeting with your local Global Justice Now or XR group or trade union branch with Daniel Willis (daniel.willis@globaljustice.org.uk) to hear more about the UK’s financial backing for overseas fossil fuels.

If you’re on Twitter, you can tweet the prime minister encouraging him to make the announcement. For example:

You can’t claim to be a ‘climate leader’ while pouring billions of pounds of public money into fossil fuels. @BorisJohnson - it’s time to announce that the UK will #StopFundingFossils as soon as possible! https://act.globaljustice.org.uk/primeminister-stop-funding-fossil-fuels-overseas

Please also share the online supporter action with an explanation on social media.