Amnesty International calls on leaders at the COP28 climate summit in the UAE to place human rights at the center of discussions and take immediate action to phase out fossil fuels.
As the world grapples with the devastating impacts of climate change, Amnesty International has called on leaders attending the COP28 climate summit in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to prioritize human rights and commit to rapidly phasing out fossil fuels. The organization’s Secretary General, Agnès Callamard, emphasized the urgent need for action and highlighted the importance of civil society’s participation in the summit. Amnesty International also urged the UAE government to release political dissidents and undertake meaningful human rights reforms. With concerns about the influence of the fossil fuel industry on the summit, Amnesty International has emphasized the need for leaders to defy such interests and work towards a just transition to renewable energy.
Upholding Human Rights and Ensuring Civil Society Participation
Amnesty International stressed the importance of upholding human rights during the COP28 summit. The organization called on all participants to press the UAE government to ensure the full, free, and fair participation of civil society. It also highlighted the need for meaningful human rights reforms beyond the summit, including the release of political dissidents, an end to arbitrary detention and unfair trials, and the decriminalization of same-sex relationships. Amnesty International emphasized that inclusive participation and respect for human rights are essential for achieving the objectives of the summit.
Defying Fossil Fuel Lobbyists and Phasing Out Fossil Fuels
Amnesty International expressed concerns about the influence of the fossil fuel industry on the COP28 summit. With Sultan Al Jaber, the summit’s president, also heading ADNOC, the UAE’s state oil company, there are concerns that the summit has been captured by fossil fuel interests. Amnesty International called for Al Jaber to resign from his role with ADNOC, citing a conflict of interest that undermines the summit’s credibility. The organization highlighted the need for leaders to resist the fossil fuel industry’s push for business as usual and greenwashing tactics. Instead, Amnesty International emphasized the importance of rapidly ending the production and use of fossil fuels and accelerating the transition to renewable energy.
The Devastating Impacts of Climate Change
Amnesty International drew attention to the devastating impacts of climate change, emphasizing the urgency of action. With 2023 on track to be the hottest year ever recorded, extreme weather events and slow-onset events like drought and sea-level rise are becoming more frequent and severe. The organization highlighted the interconnectedness of climate change and human rights, noting that climate change exacerbates food and water scarcity, displacement, migration, and conflict. Amnesty International’s global campaign, Write for Rights, is supporting community leaders from the Guda Maluyligal Nation in the Torres Strait, whose islands and livelihoods are being wrecked by climate change.
Loss and Damage Fund and Climate Justice
Amnesty International highlighted the need for urgent action on the loss and damage caused by climate change. While an outline agreement has been reached to establish a loss and damage fund, the organization called on the World Bank, the interim host of the fund, to clarify its commitment to ensuring access for all affected communities. Amnesty International also called on industrialized states and high-income fossil fuel producing countries to deliver funds at the scale needed. The organization emphasized the importance of climate justice, including terminating state subsidies to the fossil fuel industry and increasing investment in renewable energy. It also called on developed nations to fulfill their commitment to provide financial support to nations affected by climate change.
Conclusion:
Amnesty International’s call for leaders at the COP28 climate summit to prioritize human rights and phase out fossil fuels underscores the urgent need for action. The organization’s emphasis on civil society participation, human rights reforms, and the devastating impacts of climate change highlights the interconnectedness of climate change and human rights. By defying the influence of the fossil fuel industry and committing to a just transition to renewable energy, leaders at COP28 have the opportunity to protect human rights and deliver effective climate action. The world is watching as the summit unfolds, hoping for meaningful progress towards a sustainable and equitable future.
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