The UK wins the award for not backing the majority world’s calls for a global mechanism for just transition at COP30. A Belém Action Mechanism for Just Transition is one of the key outcomes civil society is calling for at COP30.
CAN-UK came to COP30 joining calls from trade unions and global civil society to put people at the heart of climate action. To do that we called on the UK to champion the adoption of a Belém Action Mechanism for Just Transition to enable and accelerate initiatives like the UK’s new green jobs initiative globally, and demonstrate that the goal of better lives for everyone is at the heart of climate action and COP30.
Ahead of COP30, more than 45 organisations wrote to the Secretary of State Ed Miliband calling for the UK to back the proposal.
Catherine Pettengell, Executive Director of Climate Action Network UK (CAN-UK) said:
“It is disappointing not to see the UK championing greater global action and support for just transition at COP30, especially given the new UK green jobs initiative that shows a domestic commitment to this agenda. Last week, the Prime Minister said the UK is all in on climate action to create new green jobs, lower energy bills, and restore nature – and this is exactly what just transition is all about – better lives for everyone, both in the UK and around the world. The UK’s stance in the just transition negotiations needs an urgent rethink to ensure that all countries can harness benefits of the transition fairly. We need a global mechanism at COP30 that puts people at the centre of global action.”
Selena Victor, Director of Policy and Advocacy at Mercy Corps said:
“The UK’s refusal to support real progress at COP30 on the Belém Action Mechanism is hugely disappointing. This mechanism would jumpstart global work on just transition, foregrounding people, jobs, and equity at the same time as reducing emissions and working towards net zero. It is a critical element of climate action, and the UK’s blocking action yesterday is both surprising and frustrating. We urge the UK to change its position.”
Mateo Adarve Zuluaga, Climate Justice Researcher at Oxfam GB said:
“At a moment when the global majority of 134 countries called for the establishment of a Global Mechanism for a Just Transition, the UK delegation’s refusal to engage or even discuss the proposal stood in stark contrast to the spirit of global cooperation. The proposals fell far short of expectations, making expressions of support for a just transition feel empty and disconnected from the realities and demands of communities and workers seeking justice.”
ENDS
Notes for editors:
- Climate Action Network UK (CAN-UK) brings together international development and environment organisations in the UK working on the poverty-nature-climate agenda to advocate for climate justice and sustainable development for all.
- CAN-UK is the UK node of Climate Action Network (CAN), a global network of more than 1,900 civil society organisations in over 130 countries driving collective and sustainable action to fight the climate crisis and to achieve social and racial justice. climatenetwork.org.
- Read CAN-UK’s COP30 briefing paper, which outlines our key asks for COP30.
- On the 13th October, CAN-UK and more than 45 charities, campaigns and trade unions called for the UK to champion an ambitious outcome on just transition at COP30. You can read the open letter here.
- The Fossil of the Day award has been presented by Climate Action Network (CAN) at COP for 16 years now. The award is presented daily at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, spotlighting those doing the most to block progress in climate negotiations. Today’s award press release is available here.
- CAN-UK Executive Director Catherine Pettengell is attending COP30 in Belém, Brazil and is available for interview.
