Issue #47: What’s next after COP27?
On the win for loss and damage & the work left to do for coal phase-out
Mōrena, and happy Tuesday!
We’re at the end of a very long and tiring COP27 for those on the ground, with negotiators agreeing on a climate deal that finally introduces loss and damage finance. This is a testament to the mahi of the island nations, indigenous peoples, and everyone who has campaigned for fair financing for over thirty years. But there’s still room for improvement - NZ got Fossil of the Day for delaying a loss and damage finance facility until 2024 whilst claiming to support the Pacific, alongside others in the EU who used delaying tactics until the last minute, and the US that tried to block it entirely. Unfortunately, it also sets up the next political maze over who pays for the fund, and who is qualified to benefit from it - which could be used to force developing countries to compete with each other, or to allow private funding to set the parameters by which countries receive funding. There also remains a deep frustration over a failure to set a date to phase out fossil fuels because of opposition from Saudi Arabia and Russia (a good writeup on this can be found here).
So what next? While it’s worth celebrating that the loss and damage fund was created, it’s important we continue to push for this fund to do its job and protect the people it was created to protect, rather than the interest of wealthy people and powerful corporations. And underlying it all, we must phase out all fossil fuels (including “natural gas”), the root cause of the climate crisis and the reason we need the fund in the first place. These negotiations showed that NZ does have a voice (even if it was a delaying one at this COP) - which means that we can also use that voice to be a leader in the climate space.
What can you do today?
The most-clicked link from last week’s issue was the petition to keep half price fares around for good.
🐝 If you have 5 minutes: Getting the climate scoop
Our media should play a key role in informing us of the effects of climate change, but RNZ are failing to connect the dots between extreme weather events and climate change in their reporting. This is key to helping the public be more aware of the impacts of climate change at home.
Action: Ask RNZ for responsible climate news coverage
🐇 If you have 15 minutes: No carbon no problems
The government is working on an Equitable Transitions Strategy, with the draft due around June 2023. This will cover our transition to a low-emissions future, including changes to jobs, homes, and travel, so it’s absolutely critical to NZ’s climate plan! They’re really just looking for your opinion, so you don’t have to be an expert, just invested in what our collective futures will look like.
Action: Take the govt’s quick opinion survey on the transition to a low carbon futureAuckland Transport has a proposal open to make transport options more accessible for Te Atatū Peninsula. This includes making buses more reliable and improving the existing bike lanes. Like many proposals that even mention the word “bike”, this is likely to get strong voices against it, so show your support!
Action: Use Bike AKL’s post to get ideas, and then submit using the form here
💃🏽 If you have 30 minutes or more: Drop it like it’s COP
What’s better than volunteering for the climate? Getting paid to work for the climate!
Action: Have a look at these open roles, or share with a friend who might be a fit!Oxfam Aotearoa has two Wellington full time roles open: Advocacy and Mobilisation Manager and International Development Director.
350 Aotearoa are looking for a National Organising Manager (0.5 - 0.8 FTE, remote)
If you’re 16-21 years old or know anyone in that age range, AUT researchers are wanting to hear from young people about perspectives on the climate crisis, human rights, and decision-making. There will be a koha for your time, and the interviews can be done online.
Action: Email climatecrisisresearch@autuni.ac.nz or see this post for more infoIf you’re keen for more end-of-COP content, the Edmund Rice Centre is holding an online webinar that will be attended by delegates from the Pacific Islands - COP 27: Where to from here for Pacific Nations?
Action: Join the webinar at 8pm, Thursday November 24th
Wins!
NZ’s Supreme Court has ruled that preventing 16- and 17-year-olds from voting is a breach of human rights. Keep an ear out for how Parliament responds to this change - it’s a huge win for the MakeIt16 campaign!
We previously shared Gen Zero’s submission for Christchurch City Council’s draft housing and business choice plan change. However, the council voted against changing its planning rules to comply with government direction to enable denser housing, even though it reduces emissions and alleviates housing shortage. Last Thursday, the Associate Minister for the Environment, Phil Twyford, responded to this decision in a letter to Mayor Mauger and the Christchurch City Council (here’s one analysis we found). We hope that our national and local representatives can work together to find a solution that is equitable and accessible for all - Christchurch is no exception when it comes to needing to reduce its emissions, and sprawling cities bring all kinds of barriers to that!
That’s all for today, folks 👋🏽 Thanks for taking action. Enjoy this podcast which breaks down the He Waka Eke Noa response on agricultural emissions by featuring two of our Substack friends, Bernard Hickey from The Kākā and Melanie Newfield from The Turnstone.
See you next week,
Dhanya, Emily, and Jenny from the Climate Club