G20-Leaders-Follow-the-Money (1)Citizens Climate International is asking G20 leaders to ‘’Follow the Money”…….’It is similar to the #G7 #SteerUsToSafety campaign where you all asked friends and family to send letters and secured 1194 letters from 80 countries. We know that German Chancellor Olaf Scholtz, the G7 was informed directly of all your work. Together across the planet we can empower the G20 leaders to follow the money’.
The newly published United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Emissions Gap Report states that the world is not on track to reach the Paris Agreement goals. Global temperatures could reach 2.8°C by the end of the century. The world must cut emissions by 45 per cent by 2030 to avoid global catastrophe. G20 countries are responsible for 80% of carbon emissions, Africa 3%. The further exploitation of fossil fuels must stop but the transition to a decarbonised world has to be a just transition which is fair to the countries which have historically been least responsible for global warming and are currently suffering the worst effects of climate change.
The text of the letter to G20 leaders states…
Thank you for your service to your country and the world.
We are in a climate emergency and already feeling the effects across the globe. By January 1, 2030 the world must cut greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 45% compared to 2005 levels. We are not on track.
Not all countries are equally culpable in creating the climate emergency we are now in. The G20 is responsible for 80% of total GHG emissions. Africa, as a continent, is only responsible for 3%.
We need a measured retreat from fossil fuels.
In the past six weeks Vanuatu, Timor Leste, the European Parliament and the World Health Organization have joined the call for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. The three pillars of the treaty are:
- End expansion of new fossil fuels projects
- Phase out current production in line with 1.5ºC
- Enable a global just transition for every worker, community & country.
It is within your capacity to create a strong COVID recovery, finance loss and damage, finance successful adaptation, unwind our economies from fossil fuels and cut GHGs in line with the science while shielding low and middle income households.
G20 leaders you just need to follow the money.
Here are four solid suggestions:
- Impose a windfall tax on fossil fuel companies
- Redirect all harmful subsidies towards an equitable and resilient future
- Follow Aotearoa New Zealand’s lead and require financial institutions to disclose climate risks
- Enact carbon pricing policies that return revenues back to citizens on an equal per capita basis. This will have an added benefit of reducing income inequality while cutting GHGs.
Most importantly, these policies must be rooted in human rights and gender justice
Please go here for more information about this campaign:
Thank you for considering the contents of this email.