Next month, from November 10-21, world leaders will be meeting in Belém, Brazil, for the UN climate summit known as COP30, the world's most important talks on how we tackle the climate crisis.
Its full title is the Conference of the Parties and it's attended by almost every country on earth to thrash out issues such as emission reduction targets and how we get support to those on the front lines of climate breakdown. Alongside the politicians will be thousands of experts, journalists, climate activists, church leaders, and representatives from organisations, charities and businesses.
Christian Aid Ireland will be sending representatives to attend COP; among them Ross Fitzpatrick, Christian Aid Ireland’s policy and advocacy officer.
Why is it important for Christian Aid Ireland to be at COP30?
The COPs are the most important global process where the world works out how we deal with the climate crisis and comes up with shared solutions to achieve the progress we desperately need in order to limit global heating to below 1.5C as well as addressing the needs of those most affected by climate change. It's also the only global process where all countries participate, and the only one in which people from the Global South have an equal voice, meaning they are in a better position to negotiate outcomes which meet their needs.
Christian Aid has been engaging in COPs for nearly 20 years, working with our partners and allies to lobby negotiators and politicians directly, urging them to take stronger action and ensuring the voices of those on the frontline of the climate crisis are amplified.
We also play a key role in providing support and visibility for our partners' priorities by working with the media, building movements and advising on policy work.
COPs are also attended by thousands of lobbyists from the fossil fuels industry, and it's vital for Christian Aid Ireland to join forces with other civil society organisations to counter any efforts to slow down and prevent climate solutions.
Who do you plan to talk to there? What do you hope to achieve by being there?
Christian Aid Ireland will be talking to climate negotiators from many countries, representatives from other charities and organisations, as well as the media, as well as with our partners from climate vulnerable countries in Latin America, Africa and Asia.
Together we can call on governments to take action based on climate justice and promote solutions which meet the needs of communities who are the most affected by climate change and yet have done the least to contribute to it.
1. Provide the public climate finance that is needed
Developed country governments need to agree how they will provide the $300bn in climate finance that they committed to at COP29 and how they will mobilise the larger $1.3tn that was also promised. The $300bn needs to be public finance that does not increase the burden of debt for already poor countries. Governments should examine options such as taxing polluting activities and the super-rich. Read joint research from Christian Aid & Trócaire on how crucial this money is and specific new ways we can raise it here.
2. Stop investing in fossil fuels and support a ‘just transition’
All governments should commit to stopping new investments in fossil fuels, to end dirty energy subsidies and agree a time-bound phase-out of fossil fuels. COP30 also needs to deliver on the Just Transition Work Programme in ways that support developed countries at national level to transition to low carbon economies in a socially just way. This can be through agreeing the proposed Belém Action Mechanism for Just Transition (BAM).
3. Step up ambition
COP30 needs to be a catalyst that highlights how far off countries are collectively in meeting the goal of limiting global heating to 1.5C. World leaders at the summit should agree that countries go beyond their existing commitments or to submit updated plans that will deliver a 1.5 degree world that is safe and prosperous for all.
How can supporters get involved?
Christian Aid Ireland has two crucial climate action events coming up, and we need you to come along and take part. It’s time to remind our elected representatives that we need urgent leadership and real climate action:
National Climate Demonstration – Sat 15th November.
We’re organising a national march and demonstration in support of climate action with our friends and partners the Stop Climate Chaos (SCC) Coalition, including other faith-based and development organisations like Trócaire, Oxfam and Concern. It’s being held to coincide with the middle of the COP30 negotiations, and is a crucial opportunity for us to come together with thousands across Ireland to demand action.
We’ll meet at the front of Abbey Presbyterian at 12:45pm, look out for the Christian Aid Ireland banner and come march with us! We’ll walk from there to the Dáil where we’ll hear music and speakers from Ireland and abroad. There’s no need to register in advance, just bring yourself, friends, family and any banners or placards.
Do you need a lift from either Cork or Galway? We’ve organised buses to Dublin on the morning of Saturday, 15th November. The Cork bus will leave Cork city centre at 8am and leave Dublin at 5pm. The Galway bus will leave Galway Coach Station at 8.45am and leave Dublin at 5pm. The buses are free but seats are limited, so please let us know if you would like to join by emailing Michael.briggs@christian-aid.org or calling +353 1 496 7040.
Mass Lobby Day of TDs – Weds 3rd December.
We know how essential it is that politicians hear from constituents about what matters to them. Without this, crucial issues like climate change can slip down the agenda. So we’re organising an event where you can do exactly that: meet your local TD and urge them to prioritise climate action and ensure that those worst impacted are protected.
Join us in Buswells Hotel opposite the Dáil, Dublin, where we’ll be welcoming TDs from 11am to 8pm. This isn’t an in depth deep dive and you don’t need to be an expert, our team will be there on the day to support you. We just need you to make your voice heard and ask your TDs what actions they’ll take to tackle climate injustice. We’ll also have a chat ahead of time on Zoom to answer any questions, on November 26th 7-8pm.
Every voice matters. Together we can remind our elected representatives that climate action is an urgent priority, and that Ireland must do its fair share of the global effort needed.
