Joe Robertson from Citizens Climate International talks with us about the UN climate process including its achievements, fossil fuel influence and potential improvements
Option #1
Signup to be a volunteer with Citizen’s Climate International
Chance for community and to impact elected officials on climate
They have chapters in 75 countries so whether you’re in Europe or Down Under, there’s likely a chapter in your area
Environmental Volunteering | Join Citizens' Climate Lobby (citizensclimatelobby.org)
Option #2
If you live outside the EU, call on your representative to pass a carbon border adjustment
It's one of a few tools we have to pressure other nations to take more aggressive climate action
Potential talking points
EU has joined UK in exiting Energy Charter Treaty
1998 treaty was intended to help boost flow of international investments into energy sector
It has been used by fossil fuel industry to mount legal challenges to nation’s climate policies
State of Oregon just passed right to repair law
Forces electronics manufacturers to make it easier and cheaper to fix their devices
Requires them to provide access to tools / parts / instructions it uses to maintain or repair equipment
Other right to repair progress
Sources
EU countries to exit energy treaty over climate concerns, officials say | Reuters
Right to repair: all the latest news and updates - The Verge
Why is the EU's right to repair legislation important? | Topics | European Parliament (europa.eu)
Several nations beyond EU are considering a carbon border adjustment
Sources
Australia: Review of potential carbon border adjustment - KPMG United States
4 New Carbon Border Adjustment Bills in the US | World Resources Institute (wri.org)
Exploring Border Carbon Adjustments for Canada - Canada.ca
Highlights from COP 28
Agreement by 116 nations to triple world’s renewable energy capacity by 2030
Agreement by 134 nations to tackle climate impacts of food industry (no mention of livestock or targets, but includes nations accountable for 70% of global food consumed, 76% of emissions around food industry)
Source
Climate: highlights of COP28 (unric.org)
Halting deforestation with trade policy
12-20% of ghg emissions from deforestation
FORESTs Act
Sources
Pacific Island Nations at COP
39 island states / nations in attendance
“We will not sign our death certificate. We cannot sign on to a text that does not have strong commitments on phasing out fossil fuels” – Cedric Schuster of Samoa, the chair of the Alliance of Small Island States, 11 December 2023.
Source
COP28: 5 big takeaways on a historic climate agreement | The Hill