A Critical Moment for Action
The coming months offer crucial opportunities to drive transformative changes in social, economic, and political systems. From September 13 to 20, the Global Fight to End Fossil Fuels and the #PayUp Climate Finance Campaign, both led by the Climate Action Network International, will unite for a Global Week of Action for Climate Finance and a Fossil-Free Future.
This week is specifically set on these days to push the UN’s landmark Summit of the Future (September 20 to 23, New York) towards more ambitious solutions and draw attention from the heads of state, governments, and ministers gathering for the UN General Assembly High-Level Week (September 23 to 27, New York). This effort aims to rally global support to hold governments accountable for their promises and demand an end to their reliance on fossil fuels.
Dirty Subsidies Stealing our Future
Despite international agreements on climate goals and urgent warnings from scientists, many governments continue to support the expansion of fossil fuels in collaboration with wealthy elites and polluting corporations. In 2022, the profits of the oil and gas industry surged to over $4 trillion, a sharp increase from the recent average of $1.5 trillion.
While our region and its populations are already suffering from the impacts of global warming, some governments continue to invest billions in dirty energy.
Six countries in our region rank among the top 25 globally for the highest share of GDP allocated to fossil fuel subsidies: Uzbekistan leads at 32%, followed by Turkmenistan (20%), Azerbaijan (16%), Kazakhstan (15%), Ukraine (13%), and Russia (7%), perpetuating this dangerous trend.
The Urgency of Transitioning to Renewable Energy
This demonstrates a troubling commitment to fossil fuel extraction that directly undermines global efforts to limit warming to below 1.5°C and ensure a livable planet for all.
To meet these critical climate goals, a rapid, just, and equitable transition to renewable energy is urgently needed, with a clear path to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The primary responsibility for driving this transition rests with the governments of the Global North, who hold the greatest resources and historical accountability for emissions. Similarly, national governments in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia are responsible for how they spend our public funds.
Accountability: A Global and Regional Responsibility
We are joining thousands of people from all over the world to remind our governments that energy efficiency and renewable energy investment mean security for our region. The sooner our countries’ budgets reflect the commitments under the Paris Agreement, the greater chances the EECCA region will have at building a just, green and peaceful future.
Our Regional Demands for Climate Justice
Our regional demands are clear:
- Shift public funding from fossil fuels and nuclear energy to energy efficiency and renewables.
- Boost the Global North funding to vulnerable countries in the form of grants.
- Back up democratic processes and civil society to localize investments and enhance credibility.
Rejecting False Solutions and Greenwashing
We must also demand an end to ‘greenwashing,’ where companies falsely portray themselves as environmentally friendly, and reject false solutions like carbon offsets, carbon capture and storage (CCS), or geoengineering. True climate action requires holding polluters accountable.
As we prepare for COP29 in Baku, we demand that companies responsible for coal, oil, and gas extraction be made to pay for climate-related damage and support local communities in their efforts toward rehabilitation, remediation, and transition.
How to Join the Fight
We encourage groups and organisations in the EECCA region to expose the harms inflicted by the fossil fuel industry on communities and ecosystems, holding governments, corporations, and financial institutions accountable for the damage and injustices they have caused.
To join the campaigns, follow these steps:
- Choose a story to highlight
- Use the hashtags #endfossilfuel and #payup
- Share your post on social media
- Tag @caneecca
The Global Week of Action: What to Expect
The Global Week of Action will feature a range of online and offline mobilizations, beginning with the #EndFossilFuels campaign on September 13 and concluding with the #PayUp for Climate Finance action on September 20.
