Activists from the Global South convened at the COP29 summit in Baku, urging wealthy nations to provide trillions of dollars to help less privileged countries address the impacts of climate change.
Demonstrators stressed the importance of unity among climate ministers as negotiations for a financial agreement continued. African Union member activists urged to increase funding for climate change in Africa and denounced France’s nuclear activities, demanding an end to genocide.
Aishwarya Visvanathan, from the Asian Peoples’ Movement on Debt and Development, called on Global South ministers to remain united. “They must not agree to a deal that harms the Global South further. They need to stand firm together,” she said.
The activists also emphasized the need to transition away from fossil fuels to protect the environment. Kjell Kühne, from the Leave it in the Ground Initiative (LINGO), highlighted the dangers of fossil fuel expansion into vulnerable and protected areas. “We are asking countries to include measures in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to move away from fossil fuels, particularly avoiding drilling and coal mining in protected regions,” Kühne said.
Vulnerable nations argue that over $1 trillion is needed to cope with climate-related damages, far exceeding the commitments made by wealthier countries.
