J2. Fossil Fuel Industry

Posted by John Donovan 17 July 2024

In the latest chapter of Shell’s never-ending saga of environmental hypocrisy, the oil giant has decided to backtrack on its grandiose promise to save the planet by recycling plastic waste. Back in 2022, Shell boldly claimed it would convert a whopping 1 million tonnes of plastic waste into oil every year through “advanced recycling.” Now, it turns out this pledge was about as solid as a politician’s promise.

“Advanced” or “chemical” recycling—just fancy terms for breaking down plastic with heat—was Shell’s supposed answer to the plastics pollution crisis. The company started investing in this pyrolysis process back in 2019, even using the resultant oil in a Louisiana plant and declaring its ambition to recycle 1 million tonnes of plastic by 2025. But as of their 2023 sustainability report, Shell quietly confessed: “[I]n 2023 we concluded that the scale of our ambition to turn 1m tonnes of plastic waste a year into pyrolysis oil by 2025 is unfeasible.”

In case you’re wondering if Shell shouted this from the rooftops, think again. They slid this little nugget into their report without much fanfare. When asked about it, Shell spokesperson Curtis Smith said, “Our ambition, regardless of regulation, is to increase circularity and move away from a linear economy to one where products and materials are reused, repurposed and recycled.” Translation: “We still want to look good without actually doing much.”

Davis Allen, an investigative researcher at the Center for Climate Integrity, described the rollback as “significant,” noting it’s an acknowledgment that advanced recycling isn’t the magical solution it’s been hyped up to be. In fact, it’s often more polluting and energy-intensive than traditional recycling. Who would’ve guessed that setting fire to plastic might not be the greenest option?

Shell blames the market, citing “lack of available feedstock, slow technology development and regulatory uncertainty.” This is particularly rich coming from a company that operates in a world awash with plastic waste. It turns out pyrolysis works best with clean, homogeneous plastics, not the mixed mess of consumer waste. Cleaning and sorting plastic is expensive, so most facilities rely on industrial scrap—essentially the leftovers from manufacturing.

Allen pointed out that the issues with advanced recycling aren’t new and that Shell “maybe should have seen [them] coming.” Apparently, even Shell’s crystal ball was a bit murky on this one. Judith Enck from Beyond Plastics added that advanced recycling facilities in the U.S. often underperform or shut down altogether.

Despite this about-face on recycling, Shell hasn’t slowed its plastic production. It recently opened a massive chemical complex in Pittsburgh capable of producing 1.6 million tonnes of plastic annually. Meanwhile, the American Chemistry Council, which Shell is still part of, continues to push the narrative that advanced recycling will solve all our plastic woes.

So, Shell’s grand recycling ambition has turned out to be just another empty promise. But hey, at least they’re good at producing plastic—and pollution.

Disclaimer: This platform operates as a non-commercial, advert-free, and subscription-free space. We do not accept donations and aim to provide information to our readers free of charge. Our content, including images and the Sheldon chatbot feature, incorporates information generated by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and various other technological means. Additionally, we may draw from sources such as Wikipedia and other published materials. It’s important to note that the content presented on this platform may include satirical adaptations derived from previously published sources. While we strive to maintain factual accuracy, we infuse elements of satire to engage and entertain our audience. Should any individual or entity find factual inaccuracies in our content, we encourage them to notify us promptly for rectification. We value accuracy and aim to address any discrepancies swiftly. Content may include gossip, rumours or exaggeration. Readers are therefore advised to verify all information for accuracy and completeness independently. Any actions taken based on the content provided on our platform are at your own risk.

 

 

 

Shell’s Latest Feat: Quietly Ditching Its Eco-Friendly Recycling Pledge was first posted on July 17, 2024 at 5:13 pm.
©2018 "Royal Dutch Shell Plc .com". Use of this feed is for personal non-commercial use only. If you are not reading this article in your feed reader, then the site is guilty of copyright infringement. Please contact me at john@shellnews.net

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: 

Nicole Rodel, Oil Change International – nicole@priceofoil.org

COP29 Presidency Must Prioritize A Fossil Fuel Phase-Out With Fair Financing.

17 July 2024 – Today COP29 president, Mukhtar Babayev published the first letter to Parties to set out the principles of focus and outline the vision for this year’s UN climate talks. 

In response, Laurie van der Burg, Public Finance lead at Oil Change International, said: 

“The COP Presidency is centering the new climate finance target, the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG), in this year’s UN climate talks. To deliver on last year’s groundbreaking commitment to transition away from fossil fuels, rich countries must raise trillions of dollars to support climate action in developing countries. While the COP29 host recognizes the need for a significant increase in finance, it fails to emphasize that this must be provided on fair terms to countries that need it most.

“The Presidency’s letter also exposes the cognitive dissonance at the heart of international climate diplomacy: on one hand, pledging to submit national climate plans in line with the 1.5°C limit, while at the same time ramping up fossil fuel production. Unless the COP Troika– a partnership between former, current, and future COP hosts UAE, Azerbaijan, and Brazil– recognizes there is no such thing as 1.5-aligned climate plan with more coal, oil, and gas infrastructure, it risks making a mockery of the unprecedented mobilization that led to the COP28 decision to phase out  fossil fuels.

“To drive progress the Presidency should underline that there is plenty of public money available to end the fossil fuel era and build a renewable energy economy that works for everyone in its place.”  

The post COP29 Presidency Must Prioritize A Fossil Fuel Phase-Out With Fair Financing. appeared first on Oil Change International.

Shell’s New Puppet Master in Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay: Another Greedy Exec to Oversee the Pollution Parade

Posted by John Donovan: 16 July 2024

In yet another move that proves Shell’s undying dedication to environmental devastation and corporate greed, the oil behemoth has appointed Germán Burmeister as the senior vice president and country chair for Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay. Effective August 1, Burmeister will be the latest in a long line of executives tasked with ensuring Shell’s relentless pursuit of profits at the expense of our planet.

$3.5 billion over a decade wasn’t enough for Shell’s appetite in Argentina. So, they’re throwing another $500 million into the mix for 2024 to “sustain and expand” their operations in Vaca Muerta. Because, of course, nothing says sustainable like drilling deeper and more aggressively into one of the largest shale oil reserves.

Burmeister, who has loyally served Shell for 23 years in commercial, strategic, and managerial roles across Latin America, Africa, Asia, and Europe, seems perfectly groomed for the task. After all, his recent stint as senior vice president and country chair in Kazakhstan must have given him ample practice in prioritizing profits over people and the planet.

Congratulations, Germán! We can’t wait to see how you’ll help Shell continue its legacy of “excellence” in environmental and social irresponsibility across South America.

Disclaimer: This platform operates as a non-commercial, advert-free, and subscription-free space. We do not accept donations and aim to provide information to our readers free of charge. Our content, including images and the Sheldon chatbot feature, incorporates information generated by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and various other technological means. Additionally, we may draw from sources such as Wikipedia and other published materials. It’s important to note that the content presented on this platform may include satirical adaptations derived from previously published sources. While we strive to maintain factual accuracy, we infuse elements of satire to engage and entertain our audience. Should any individual or entity find factual inaccuracies in our content, we encourage them to notify us promptly for rectification. We value accuracy and aim to address any discrepancies swiftly. Content may include gossip, rumours or exaggeration. Readers are therefore advised to verify all information for accuracy and completeness independently. Any actions taken based on the content provided on our platform are at your own risk. Shell’s New Puppet Master in Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay was first posted on July 16, 2024 at 9:21 pm.
©2018 "Royal Dutch Shell Plc .com". Use of this feed is for personal non-commercial use only. If you are not reading this article in your feed reader, then the site is guilty of copyright infringement. Please contact me at john@shellnews.net

There’s no doubt that we are living in scary and heightened times. Just as we know that climate grief and climate anxiety can take a very physical toll, so too can political news. So we encourage everyone to do what they need to ground themselves, process and channel anxiety, and rest up so they can keep on in our collective pursuit of justice. I hope as you read this you’re able to take a breath, and know you’re in community with us wherever you are. You can find resources and trainings for activist care and resilience here.

As we have seen dominating the headlines, this weekend there was an attempted assassination on the former U.S. President Trump that tragically killed a bystander, and also caused multiple injuries, including to Trump. 350.org condemns all forms of violence and mourn the loss of life. 

We also continue to mourn lives lost to all forms of political violence, including genocide and ecocide.

We remain grounded in the knowledge that violence and destruction are at the crux of what we are fighting—the violence of a powerful few deciding that whole regions, whole populations, are expendable in the name of profit. That, and the decisions that system leads to, are also deadly. And we seek to end them and to usher in a better, more sustainable, renewable, and life-giving way. 

The complex reality is that most political violence targets vulnerable and frontline communities, whether climate defenders in Colombia and Brazil, or folks resisting toxic pollution in the Gulf of Mexico. We recognize that there is inherent risk in championing justice. There is no getting around that, and U.S. political violence is likely to continue in the coming months.

This political violence is laying bare the contradictions in U.S. society right now. This is a country in which guns are considered more important than people, the Supreme Court believes it has the ability to legislate from the bench, and elected representatives deny electoral results and the reality of science. We are also facing the uncertainties of whether our nation’s leaders are able to lead. 

The most powerful interests in the world would rather we cowered from the uncertainty and backed away. And that’s why we need to do the opposite. We need to keep calling out the corporate and governmental entities that perpetuate injustice.

So we continue to mobilize and to connect the dots both in the U.S. and globally. This month, we’re joining Summer of Heat in New York to push back on the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP). This week we also launch REPower Afrika to speed up the global shift away from fossil fuel projects like EACOP to distributed, community-owned renewable energy. Next month, 350 groups take action across the nation to hold utility companies accountable for price-gouging and refusing to transition to clean energy. And we know that over the next few months, thousands of us will encourage friends, neighbors and strangers to vote. 

As we keep on in challenging times, it can be hard for any of us to assess where to place our energy. We vow to stay true to our mission, to move into action and provide opportunities for you to join and lead, and to stay nimble in our movement for intersectional climate justice. 

In my Jewish faith, there is a verse that says “You are not obligated to finish the task, but neither are you free to desist from it.” We need you.

Our team will be right there with you, sharing resources so you can assess risks and maximize safety, while urging us all to think about how we rise to this moment. In our own work and upcoming actions, we will plan for and maximize participant safety every way we can. We will also continue to offer virtual options for taking action from home. 

I continue to have hope and to be buoyed by all of you. Our movement is strong and growing. There is a growing collective appetite for a just and more livable world. 

Arundhati Roy reminds us, “Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing.”

It might not be a quiet day, but she is still coming, waiting for us to usher her in. And at the precipice of deep, healing, systemic change, there is often upheaval. Our task is to make sure that the tide turns for the better. That’s why 350 was founded, and that’s why we continue with renewed resolve. 

Find resources for activist care and resilience here, and stay tuned for more recommendations.

 

With grace and care,

 

Jeff Ordower

North America Director, 350.org

The post Resilience Amidst Upheaval: Reflections on U.S. Political Violence appeared first on 350.

Utility companies don’t want us to teach people how they operate. So that’s exactly what we did.

When they work well, our utilities exist in the background of our lives: they power our homes, cool us down when it’s hot, give us heat when it’s cold. But too often, they are sources of aggravation: the power goes off when it is dangerously hot or cold out, our bills skyrocket, our utility companies threaten to shut off our utilities due to inability to pay… the list goes on. We know that climate change raises those stakes even higher—and our utility companies themselves play a massive role in exacerbating the climate crisis. 

80% of electric utilities in the U.S. run on fossil fuels. Tackling utilities head on is integral to working towards a safer climate.

And yet the system is designed to make it difficult for us to fight back.

But there’s good news: we just need to equip people with the skills and information that utility and fossil fuel companies work so hard to keep from us. That’s why over the past two months, we hosted a public education series to dive deeper into how our utilities work and what tactics we can use to fight and restructure them. 

Hundreds of people joined to learn how to take on their utilities, from public utility commissions to legislation and corporate accountability.

So what’s next? We act.

Next month, together with local groups and affiliates across the country, we are taking to the streets all across the country to hold utility companies accountable for their role in the climate crisis.

Interested in joining us? Pledge your support for the week of action

If you did not get a chance to join us for our public education series, you haven’t missed out! You can watch the recordings and get a preview below.

 

Our education series focused on six topics and tactics:

1. Legislative and Ballot Initiatives, featuring John Farrell, Institute for Local Self-Reliance; Lucy Hochshartner, Pine Tree Power; & Taylor Smith-Hams, 350.org
   1. Find out how different states rank when it comes to energy democracy and utility accountability
   2. Learn from Pine Tree Power, Maine’s campaign for the first statewide utility with a climate mandate  
   3. See how 350.org’s utility legislation toolkit can help you win your campaign 
      1. Watch the recorded training
2.  Community Run Renewables, featuring Sachiko Graber, Cooperative Energy Futures; & Jonathan Walle, Cleveland Owns
   1. Learn how Ohio’s own community solar co-op is shifting the energy system towards energy democracy
   2. Dive deeper into how to change energy systems and drive profit back to communities
   3. See how 350.org’s Our Own Power toolkit can support your community-centered work
      1. Watch the recorded training
3. Corporate Accountability and Finance, featuring Bill Regan, Movement Cooperative; Kim Fraczek and Michael Paulson, San Energy Project; & Rob Galbraith, Little Sis
   1. Learn how legislatures enable utilities to have monopolies, and how to campaign on rate cases
   2. Find out how to campaign for public utilities to have a non-profit model
   3. See what movies utilities and how to build your corporate campaign strategy
      1. Watch the recorded training
4.  Public Utility Commissions, featuring Nancy LaPlaca, Third Act; Susan Miller, Earthjustice; & John Qua, Lead Locally
   1. Learn what Public Utility Commissions (PUCs) are and why they’re important sites of struggle
   2. Sift through different types of proceedings at PUCs and how to engage in them
   3. Unpack local and state utility elections and how to build an electoral utility strategy in your community 
      1. Watch the recorded training
5.  Power Mapping and Campaign Research, featuring Lauren Parker, LittleSis
   1. Learn how power research and power mapping can strengthen our campaigns against powerful actors like utilities
      1. Watch the recorded training
6.  IRA Direct Pay, featuring Heejin Hahn, Congressional Progressive Caucus
   1. Learn how to get federal funds to support building renewable energy projects in your community
      1. Watch the recorded training

The post In the fight for utility and climate justice, public knowledge is power appeared first on 350.

As groups and individuals around the world celebrate Plastic Free July by refusing single use plastics, join us in a series of learning sessions to learn more about some "solutions" to plastic pollution and what you can do to engage and participate in efforts to end plastic pollution.

 

1. Understanding How Plastic Credits Work

With several companies and institutions opting for plastics offsetting– deep dive and understand how plastic credits work.

July 24, 2024 | 9:00 am Delhi, 11:30 am Manila

Register here

2. Improving IFI Accountability to Plastic Pollution through Citizen Engagement

International financial institutions (IFIs) play a crucial role in addressing plastic pollution and the climate crisis –  and it is important to ensure that investments are going to sustainable solutions, not on techno-fixes and false solutions that bring more harm to communities and the planet. Learn more about climate financing, divesting from false solutions, and how you, too, can take action.

July 31, 2024 | 11:30 am Delhi, 2:00 pm Manila

Register here

 

With various kinds of “solutions” being peddled by corporations, and supported by international finance institutions and governments across Asia Pacific and beyond, the discussions in this series aims to shed light on these "solutions."

To learn more about real and lasting solutions to plastic pollution, head to this page.

 

This #FalseSolutionsExposed learning series is presented by Break Free From Plastic and its member organizations led by the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives Asia Pacific, among others. 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Nicole Rodel, Oil Change International – nicole@priceofoil.org

Switzerland breaks major climate promise on taxpayer finance

11 July 2024 – Switzerland is the first signatory of the Clean Energy Transition Partnership (CETP) to water down its policy to end international public finance for fossil fuels. The country has now also surpassed the United States in providing the most international fossil fuel finance since the end of 2022 deadline passed, providing a total of almost $3.6 billion.

In March 2023, Swiss Export Risk Insurance (SERV) pledged to end all its fossil fuel finance, with exemptions only where it could be proven that the fossil fuel project was in line with the globally-agreed Paris Agreement goal of keeping global average temperatures under 1.5°C.

However, last month SERV quietly watered down its policy, deleting it and its press release from their website, and replacing it with a new one. Doing a side-by-side comparison, the new policy opens up a loophole for midstream gas, as well as loopholes that render the policy meaningless by allowing SERV to fund any project it deems is in the “Economic, foreign, trade and development policy interests of Switzerland.”

This is the first time a CETP signatory has weakened its policy. All other signatories that have altered policies have made them more ambitious. According to Oil Change International, many countries are adhering to the agreement, including the UK, France, Canada, Sweden, Finland, Denmark and other major historical fossil fuel financiers.

Switzerland has also recently become one of the main violators of the CETP agreement, surpassing even the United States, according to Oil Change International. SERV has approved the most fossil fuel finance of the CETP signatories since the agreement took effect, providing a total of almost USD 3.6 billion for five fossil fuel projects. This includes almost $2.5 billion for one gas power plant in Turkmenistan, which SERV announced funding for last month.

This policy change comes soon after a group of Swiss senior citizen women won a landmark court case at the European Court of Human Rights, who claimed inaction on the climate crisis by their government put them at greater risk of death from heatwaves.

Adam McGibbon, Public Finance Strategist at Oil Change International, said:

“Switzerland has quickly become one of the worst promise breakers of them all. Our home is burning, but Switzerland is adding fuel to the fire with billions in taxpayer finance for fossil fuels, and covertly slashing their policy to allow any project they choose to go ahead. No scientific basis was provided for this change, because none exists.

“Other countries have kept their promise to end international public finance for fossil fuels. There is no time to lose. Switzerland must take urgent action to end this madness – and they will be held accountable to their promises. Public money that should be going to support a just transition to renewable energy is instead being pumped into more climate-wrecking fossil fuel projects, harming communities.”

***

The post Switzerland breaks major climate promise on taxpayer finance appeared first on Oil Change International.

July 10, 2024: The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be the largest sporting event ever to serve beverages in reusable packaging, potentially replacing millions of single-use plastic cups. In a letter led by organizations Sailors for the Sea Powered by Oceana and EcoAthletes, signatories expressed their concern for the growing plastic pollution crisis, and urged the soft drink companies to use Paris 2024 as a launchpad for introducing more reuse at future Olympic Games and other sporting events. The 113 signatories to the letter include 102 athletes and eleven organizations, representing 43 sports and 30 countries. Over 50 Olympians, Paralympians, world champions, and world record holders signed the letter, including 22 athletes who will be competing at the Paris 2024 Games. Notably, the list of signatories includes 39-time freediving world record holder from Italy Alessia Zecchini, two-time Olympic gold medalist swimmer for Team USA Zach Apple, and the 50-year-old skateboarder bound for Paris 2024 representing Team Great Britain Andy Macdonald.

“Escalating plastic pollution poses a massive threat to the oceans and our health,” said Dr. Shelley Brown, Director of Sailors for the Sea. “Plastics are everywhere, from floating on the surface of the ocean, to sitting at the deepest point of the ocean floor, to the air we breathe and the water we drink. We must reduce the amount of single-use plastic being produced. The answer is simple – we need more reuse and less single use.”

“In sports, the scoreboard doesn’t lie,” asserted EcoAthletes CEO and founder Lew Blaustein. “When it comes to plastic pollution and its many public health and climate impacts, humanity is behind and in dire need of a comeback. Recycling won’t get us there, not even close. The only way we can get to where we need to go on plastic pollution is a systemic commitment to exponentially grow reuse and a dramatic draw down of single use.”

Olympic sailor in mixed 470 sailing for Team USA, Lara Dallman-Weiss, added “I’ve competed in events around the world – and everywhere I sail, I find single-use plastics polluting our waters and shorelines. One thing is clear, more needs to be done to stop the plastics crisis.”

The organizations and athletes stressed that recycling alone will not solve the plastic pollution crisis – only 9% of all plastic waste ever generated has been recycled. In order to tackle the plastic pollution crisis, we need to prioritize the reduction of plastic production and transition to reuse systems. The letter refers to research by Oceana, which found that just a 10-percentage point increase in reusable beverage packaging globally by 2030 can eliminate the need for over 1 trillion single-use plastic bottles and cups. This shift can prevent up to 153 billion of these containers from getting into the world’s waterways and oceans. For the past six years, The Coca-Cola Company and PepsiCo have been found to be amongst the top global plastic polluters, according to annual brand audit data collected by the #BreakFreeFromPlastic movement.

Specifically, the letter asks Coca-Cola and Pepsi to keep the torch lit for reuse following the Olympics by committing to:

• Make reuse an option for all their customers globally and dramatically increase reusable packaging by 2030.
• Ensure future Olympics and other major sporting events rely on reusable packaging rather than single-use.
• Advocate for the inclusion of legally binding targets and other mechanisms to increase reusable packaging in national legislation and in the United Nations plastic treaty.

The letter was supported also in collaboration with #BreakFreeFromPlastic, Oceana, Adansonia.green, Defend Our Health, Front Commun pour la Protection de l’Environnement et des Espaces Protégées, Greeners Action, Habits of Waste, and Retorna.

The letter, together with its full list of signatories can be viewed at www.sailorsforthesea.org/beareusechampion

Media contacts: 

Sailors for the Sea:

Jen Brett, jbrett@oceana.org

EcoAthletes: 

Lew Blaustein, lew@ecoathletes.org

Oceana: 

Gillian Spolarich, gspolarich@oceana.org

Anna Baxter, abaxter@oceana.org

Break Free From Plastic: 

Caro González, caro@breakfreefromplastic.org

Overview

The Content Creator Academy is a communications fellowship program designed for content creators in Asia Pacific—including communications practitioners using different multimedia platforms—with the aim to develop their knowledge, skills, and expertise to effectively and creatively address plastic pollution and the climate crisis by reaching new audiences and inspiring behavior change for systemic solutions. 

Sign up today

Objectives 

• Build the capacity of content creators, influencers, thought leaders, and general communicators in Asia Pacific to effectively shift the narrative against false solutions and other false narratives on plastic pollution
• Develop communicators’ understanding of plastic pollution and its connection to climate change, health, social justice, and more
• Equip communicators with data, facts, tools, and access to experts to reach new audiences 
• Through the network of communicators, inform and educate the public and inspire behavior change to positively contribute in systemically ending plastic pollution through petitions, public campaigns, and public calls for corporate accountability and policy making 
• Build and sustain a network of advocates as a force for good in the digital space, leveraging their creativity and digital media platforms to contribute to addressing plastic pollution across the value chain—from extraction of fossil fuels to end of use— and the worsening climate crisis

Ideal Participants 

• Online content creators with demonstrated potential for influencing, leading, and capturing audience attention (see reach, engagement, quality of work, brand and voice)
• Communicators who can create multimedia content or any of the following: 
  • Written pieces
  • Short videos 
  • Full length videos such as video series, documentaries, vlogs, films
  • Podcasts
  • Social media graphics and related formats 
• Any of the following profiles: podcasters, bloggers, vloggers, social media influencer / thought leader / content creator, newsletter lead, and online community builders 
• Content creators with reach in any or multiple countries listed: South Korea, India, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand. Those in other Asia Pacific countries are also welcome to apply. Communication professionals and campaigners in the BFFP movement (core and associate members, and youth ambassadors) who can leverage social media channels for improved reach and advocacy campaigning are also welcome to apply. 

Program Design 

The program will run for about 10 weeks and will be a mix of asynchronous (self-paced) learning through Google Classroom and bi-weekly live online sessions via Zoom. Story grants will also be available to support outstanding creators in producing impactful content. 

Program Outline 

• • Plastics and Climate. Learn about the links of plastic pollution and the climate crisis, solutions to these global challenges, and the concepts of just transition and intersectionality. (~4 weeks)
  • Science Communications. Learn about leveraging science and data for advocacy, designing campaigns and data visualizations, hope-based communication and behavior change. (~2 weeks)
  • Social Media for Social Good. Learn about visual storytelling, video production, producing viral content, cultural sensitivity and security training among others.
  • Collaborative project. Get to work with fellow content creators on designing digital campaigns that may span multiple countries and platforms. (~3 weeks)

Expected Outputs

• Individual project: published digital material 
• Collaborative project: collaborative digital campaign (by group)

Timeline 

Onboarding of fellows is scheduled on August 9, 2024 which will mark the beginning of the 10-week program. 

Participant selection 

About 30 participants are expected to be accepted to the program although the number is flexible depending on interest and potentials of applicants, nominees, and invitees. 

All who are interested to participate in the program are asked to sign up through this form. 

Selected participants will be notified by July 31, 2024 at the latest. 

For inquiries, e-mail: eah@breakfreefromplastic.org or devayani@breakfreefromplastic.org.

This election has brought an end to a catastrophic 14 year Conservative rule that has decimated our public services and pushed millions of people into poverty. Make no mistake, the continued resistance and push back on Conservative policies from people like you is part of the reason for their colossal decline in this election. Thank you.

But perhaps like me, you’re feeling a mixed response to a Labour majority government. Whilst the end of the Conservative reign is truly welcome, we’re seeing some of the least ambitious politics from the Labour party in recent history and many of their positions on climate policy are weak. The Labour Party won on a platform largely made up of xenophobia, an attack on LGBTQ+ rights, and increased policing. As a trans person I cannot celebrate an incoming Prime Minister who is an outright transphobe and it feels impossible to feel represented by a government failing to call for a ceasefire in Palestine.

However, I believe an election doesn’t give us our leader, it gives us our opponent. A new Prime Minister is simply a new pressure point and under a Labour government there are far more opportunities to achieve change, than under a Conservative one.

This election has given me hope in other ways. We finally have a new government committed to no new oil and gas production, and during the election we saw a swell of people pushing for ambitious policies around climate, nature and democracy. The Green Party has 4 new MPs and 5 pro-Palestine independent candidates were voted in, in place of Labour MPs.

Whilst the Labour government has won a majority, the voter turnout was the lowest it’s been in 20 years and many of the seats were won by a lower number of votes than expected. This shows a lack of faith in Labour and their politics from the get go — something that will be impossible for them to ignore. As the new government finds its feet, this is a huge opportunity and we can and must push harder for the ambition we need.

Very soon we will be launching a new, ambitious campaign laying out what we think the UK government should be focusing on to tackle the cost of living and the climate crisis. 

We must not ignore that this election also saw a terrifying rise in support for far right politics. Across the channel our neighbors in France are facing the terrifying prospect of a far right government for the first time since the second World War, and it’s looking increasingly likely that Trump could return as President in the US. As we move forward, we cannot be intimidated or isolated by these hateful politics. A better climate and thriving communities can and will be won only by uniting together to fight for collective peace, justice and liberation for everyone.

Thank you to all our supporters for everything you have done to help bring climate and justice to the forefront of this election. There are never perfect wins, but today’s government has many more things that are better about it than the one we had yesterday.

Let’s take a moment today to celebrate what we have achieved together, and we will be in touch soon to continue the fight.

Whatever your feelings about today’s results, remember that in our victories, in our despair and in our fight — we’re all in this together.

If you’d like to help us push for better, bolder policies for people and the planet, please consider making a donation today. With your support, we can seize this moment and push for the climate action and social justice we desperately need.

The post Turning hope into action appeared first on 350.

Litigation can make or break fossil fuel expansion. As governments fail to meet climate and human rights obligations and spend billions in taxpayer money supporting fossil fuel production, courtrooms are busier than ever settling climate disputes and issuing crucial advisory opinions clarifying States’ obligations. 

This April I attended the public hearings held by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACtHR) in Barbados as OCI’s legal officer to present arguments on how fossil fuel funding worsens the climate emergency and endangers the protection of human rights. With Bank Climate Advocates and the Center for International Environmental Law, OCI argued that States must phase out fossil fuels production and use to avoid breaching the 1.5°C limit and take all necessary measures to prevent further foreseeable harm, including the irreversible harm that will follow if warming reaches or exceeds 1.5ºC. 

 

????On the final day of @IACourtHR #AdvisoryOpinion hearings, CIEL & partners are focused on States’ duty to uphold the #RightToRemedy & phase out #FossilFuels.

In this session, we are urging @CorteIDH to make history by naming the ? in the room…??

?https://t.co/8AbRnr25WI pic.twitter.com/XRzItObnsr

— Center for International Environmental Law (@ciel_tweets) April 25, 2024

This intervention follows OCI’s Amicus Brief submission, a legal document provided to the Court with key evidence on the topic. The brief supports the request for an Advisory Opinion asking the IACtHR to assess the scope of States’ obligations to respond to the climate emergency under international human rights law and the American Convention 

The request builds on a previous Advisory Opinion, in which the IACtHR recognized the justiciable right to a healthy environment and the responsibility of States for environmental damage within and beyond their borders. It parallels advisory processes at the International Tribunal on the Law for the Seas (ITLOS) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in which both courts are tasked to assess obligations of States with respect to the climate emergency arising under the United Nations Framework and the fundamental principles of international environmental law. While ITLOS focuses primarily on determining measures to protect and preserve the marine environment, the ICJ addresses broader obligations under international law to protect the climate from anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. 

Although these three courts have varied jurisdiction, their opinions will serve to clarify the interpretation of international law and further determine the application of international treaties concerning the climate, the environment, and the protection of human rights. Together, these courts have an opportunity to pave the way for climate action and lead the way towards a fossil free future.

The climate crisis endangers human rights, particularly in vulnerable regions

At the public hearings in Barbados, together with other civil society representatives we made one thing clear: rising global temperatures endanger human rights, with the fossil fuel industry being the main culprit, responsible for 91% of global carbon dioxide emissions.

At an already alarming 1.1ºC of global heating, Latin-America and the Caribbean are experiencing devastating climate impacts, with recurrent wildfires and floods disrupting livelihoods and threatening lives. What will come next if we let the global temperature increase further?

The science is crystal clear: staying below 1.5°C means no further investments — public or private — in fossil fuel production, a fast and fair phase out of existing fossil fuel production, and a fast and fair ramp up of energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions. Instead, governments continue to prop up the fossil fuel industry with public funds. That is what our intervention in Barbados focused on: government financial flows and policies favoring fossil fuels undermine our climate goals.

OCI’s research assessing energy finance of Multilateral Development Banks (MDB) and G20 international finance institutions indicates that between 2020 and 2022, MDBs and G20 countries provided $142 billion in international public finance for fossil fuels, almost 1.4 times their support for clean energy in the same period ($104 billion). Canada, the U.S., Japan and Korea lead the list of the top fossil fuel financiers, allocating on average $10.9 billion, $10 billion, $6.9 billion and $2.3 billion a year respectively in international public finance.

At the hearings, OCI and partners stressed that public finance flows are crucial to meeting or breaking climate commitments. Ending fossil fuel financing is critical for States to phase out fossil fuels and uphold international obligations, including human rights.

Scientific evidence informs the obligations of States and their due diligence duties to control GHG emissions 

Science plays a central role in the context of climate advisory proceedings at the International Courts. 

In the ITLOS opinion from May 21st, the Tribunal relied on the authoritative scientific work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Reports to recognize that GHG emissions, from any source, constitutes marine pollution and that climate change is a threat to humanity, particularly for communities most vulnerable to its increasing impacts. Further, the Tribunal concluded that countries have a legal obligation to prevent, reduce, and control their GHG emissions, among which Carbon dioxide (CO2) from burning fossil fuels, in order to protect the ocean, and this is a due diligence duty.

At the Barbados hearings of the IACtHR, we recalled to the Court that the best available science confirms that fossil fuels drive the climate emergency and emphasized that States significantly contribute to GHG emissions with their fossil fuel projects and financing for these projects, at home and abroad. This activates the state’s duty to prevent transboundary environmental damage. 

 

International fossil fuel finance matters because wealthy and developed countries must stop investing their money in projects that lock the dependence of developing states in coal, gas and oil. With the Fossil Fuel Non Proliferation Treaty Initiative we made clear that if the Court seeks to address the question of human rights protection, fossil fuels need to be taken out of the equation. States cannot avert the climate emergency or effectively limit its impacts without rapidly reducing fossil fuel production and use. Hence, the need for a concrete, binding plan to end the expansion of fossil fuels and manage a global transition away from them.

The IACtHR has a historic opportunity to enhance State capacity in safeguarding human rights, especially regarding access to information, participation, and transparency in financing institutions. The Court should have the possibility to address whether the State conduct in relation to fossil fuel production must be governed by and assessed against the obligations of States under human rights law. As stressed by our co-panelist MOCICC, it is urgent to establish clear and binding standards, effective monitoring and responsibilities for States, especially in the fossil fuel phase-out.

Advisory Opinions can become building blocks for stronger regulations or strategic litigation, as courts work to clarify the climate-related obligations of States. In particular, this should implicate the continued government support fossil fuels receive in the form of subsidies, grants, tax exemptions, other forms of public finance, and flexible regulations. 

Courts defining clear State obligations related to the climate crisis can help strengthen the link between the energy transition and international environmental law. Court cases have profound impacts on global law and diplomacy, and opinions from IACtHR, ITLOS, and ICJ will shape this trajectory.

We are looking forward to impactful and comprehensive opinions from the International Courts that can support stronger legal frameworks and recognize the undeniable urgency of a fair fossil fuel phase-out. 

The post International Courts must lead the way towards a fossil free future  appeared first on Oil Change International.

June 24th 2024, marked the third Anniversary of the wrongful arrest and imprisonment in Vietnam of the environmental lawyer and climate justice advocate, Dang Dinh Bach.

He was imprisoned on trumped-up charges of “tax evasion” after leading a campaign to reduce the country’s reliance on dirty coal.

Bach is the founder of the Law and Policy of Sustainable Development Research Centre (LPSD). He has dedicated his life to protecting communities from harmful pollution, phasing out plastic waste, and supporting the government’s transition to clean energy.

Bach is being kept under harsh and degrading conditions, including dangerously hot temperatures of 45º Celsius (113º F). He is being subject to discriminatory treatment, ranging from termination of access to the common yard to denial of the right to purchase food.

Despite his obvious fragile health, Bach undertook a 5-day hunger strike which lasted until June 29. This put both his physical and mental health at risk.

The UN has previously condemned the harsh prison conditions for Bach and other climate defenders. “Mr. Bách should not have to embark on a hunger strike to demand strict enforcement of laws and dignified prison conditions. Deprivation of liberty and mistreatment in prison should not be used as a tool by the Vietnamese government to silence human right defenders and civil society members working on sensitive issues,” stated UN experts.

Last week, the #StandwithBach campaign launched a global letter-writing campaign to express solidarity to raise awareness and demand the immediate release of Bach, and other climate leaders such as Hoang Thi Minh Hong, who have also been unjustly incarcerated in Vietnam.

Today, Oil Change International is writing to Bach, with our letter below.

Meanwhile, we will continue to raise the profile of other environmental and human rights activists in the region who are also being victimised. Earlier this week a court in Delhi, sentenced the Goldman Prize winner, Medha Patkar to five months in prison in a 23-year-old defamation case.

Reacting to the news, Patkar said “The truth can never be defeated … We have not tried to defame anyone, we only do our work … We will challenge the court’s judgement.”

Patkar won the Goldman Prize in the nineties, for organizing “massive marches and peaceful protests against the construction of India’s Sardar Sarovar Dam, which displaced thousands of tribal peoples and submerged vast stretches of forests and farmland.” OCI condemns the victimization of Patkar.

Our letter to Bach:

Dear Mr. Bach,

Oil Change International stands in solidarity with you and the other climate leaders who remain wrongfully imprisoned in Vietnam. We remain in awe of your courage in the face of adversity and continued commitment to climate justice.

We note that the UN Human Rights Council Working Group on Arbitrary Detention found your imprisonment to be a “violation of international law” as well as expressing concerns about a “systemic problem with arbitrary detention” of environmental defenders in Vietnam.

OCI therefore reiterates its call for your immediate unconditional release as well as the release of all climate defenders currently incarcerated in Vietnam.

We are appalled at reports about your inhumane treatment, including dangerously hot temperatures and denial of the right to food and exercise. The government’s failure to ensure basic, fundamental rights and minimum standards of treatment we believe is a clear violation of its responsibilities under the Convention against Torture.

OCI reiterates its demand for the protection of civil society space required for a just energy transition. We know that advancing environmental, climate and energy justice for the people of Vietnam is impossible without your and your colleague’s freedom and participation. A green energy transition will not succeed until environmental defenders can speak openly, freely and walk free.

We look forward to the moment when you walk free and can see your family and friends again. Until then, OCI will continue to advocate for your unconditional release.

In the meantime, please stay strong and know that you are not in this fight alone. The world is watching. We are with you.

From all at Oil Change International

 

The post Three Years on: OCI Stands with Bach and demands his immediate release appeared first on Oil Change International.

Bangkok, Thailand | Yesterday, 133 civil society organizations worldwide called on the leadership of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) working on a legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution, to provide greater transparency and access to civil society organizations and rightsholder ahead of the upcoming Ad-hoc Intersessional Open-ended Working Groups that will take meet in Bangkok, Thailand, in August.

At the conclusion of the fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, Member States agreed to hold two expert working groups to further the work between the INCs. While the work session is open for Member States, each working group can include up to twelve ‘experts’ that must be nominated and selected in advance. 

In a letter addressed to the INC Secretary, Jyoti Mathur-Filipp, the INC Chair, Ambassador Luis Vayas Valdivieso, and the members of the Bureau, the groups raised concerns about the restrictions on the participation of observers and the lack of transparency regarding the selection of the technical experts–who must be unequivocally free from conflicts of interest–who will be attending the upcoming meeting. Additionally, it calls for an open application process, allowing accredited observer organizations to register at least one representative. 

From the letter: 

“Many organizations have been involved in the process of negotiating a legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, from the beginning. These organizations have immense expertise on the issues being discussed and have dedicated that expertise, as well as time and financial resources, to participating in the INC process (...).”

“Observer participation offers an essential opportunity to civil society and rights holders, including impacted fenceline communities, Indigenous Peoples, women, youth, representatives of grassroots communities, and stakeholders like scientists, consumers, faith groups, health and environmental experts, and policy experts to share their expertise and experience and present practical, equitable, and well-founded solutions based on their firsthand experiences and expertise which should feed into a strong treaty.” 

The request from civil society groups for fair and meaningful participation comes as more than 170 countries are preparing to participate in the intersessional meeting in August. With the fifth and last scheduled round of negotiations to be held in Busan, South Korea, a lot is at stake to create a successful Global Plastics Treaty that can end plastic pollution. 

Penchom Saetang, Director, Ecological Alert and Recovery-Thailand (EARTH-Thailand) said:

“Limiting meetings exclusively to representatives from government agencies without allowing participation from civil society hinders the exchange of ideas and perspectives, which is detrimental to all parties involved. The Global Plastic Treaty is an issue that extensively concerns people worldwide and for the public benefit. Therefore, restricting the involvement of civil society in this matter does not lead to positive outcomes and reflects narrow-minded thinking by the Secretariat.”

Cecilia Bianco -  Latin American and Caribbean Network for the Reduction of Plastic Production with Globally Binding Targets, said:
"We are very concerned that due to the measures taken by the Secretariat, a large number of observers will be left out of the inter-sessional meetings where fundamental issues such as financing, plastic products, and chemical substances of concern will be discussed. It is clear that when it is considered that observers can join delegations, there is a lack of knowledge of the legislation of many countries, where only ministry and foreign ministry staff can be part of a delegation. With that, there is a possibility of an imbalance in the representation of civil society, in the knowledge that is contributed by the communities most impacted at each stage of the life cycle of plastics. Also, the Secretariat has not made known the criteria for deciding the selection of experts, and these criteria should include a policy that prevents and avoids conflict of interest."

Dharmesh Shah, Senior Consulting Campaigner (Plastics Treaty), Center for International Environmental Law / Turtle Island, said:

“Observers play an essential role in negotiations — they provide lived experience, scientific and legal expertise, and critical technical knowledge. An opaque nomination process with only 12 experts per working group betrays the purported inclusive nature of these negotiations and gives cover to polluters who do not need to disclose their affiliation.”

 

###

 

Notes to the editor

Photos and videos from the fourth round of treaty negotiations in Ottawa (April, 2024) are available here.

 

Global Press Contacts: 

• Caro Gonzalez | Caro@breakfreefromplastic.org 
• news@breakfreefromplastic.org 
• Cate Bonacini | press@ciel.org 

 

Regional Press Contacts: 

• United States and Canada: Brett Nadrich | Brett@breakfreefromplastic.org 
• Africa: Carissa Marnce | Carissa@no-burn.org 
• South East Asia: Eah Antonio | Eah@breakfreefromplastic.org 
• South Asia: Devayani Khare | devayani@breakfreefromplastic.org 
• Europe: Bethany Spendlove Keeley | Bethany@breakfreefromplastic.org
• Latin America: Camila Aguilera | Camila@no-burn.org 

This newsletter is also available in French and Spanish.

It’s early summer for most, but we’ve already had a taste of the harsh realities of climate change: brutal droughts in Africa, dangerous rain floods in the Arabian Peninsula, and savage storms in the US.

In my own country of India, along with other parts of Asia, we are experiencing a severe heat wave with record-breaking temperatures, losing lives everyday. In Brazil, relentless floods, fueled by climate neglect, continue to wipe out entire cities.

At the same time, big players like the EU, UK, France, and the US are prepping for major elections that could really determine the direction of the climate crisis globally. These economies are a part of the G7 group which is responsible for 27% of global oil and gas production and nearly half of carbon pollution from new projects. We want them to elect leaders who will push hard for a fair, safe energy future.

So we are doubling-down on our efforts to hold the G7 accountable. When their leaders met in Italy this month, we demanded that they urgently stop funding fossil fuels abroad and provide fair finance for renewable energy in vulnerable countries.

We know we have the power and resources to reduce these frightening climate impacts!

As one of the 10 Most Influential Environmental Campaigns, our work matters, now more than ever before…

In Case You Missed It Honoring Africa’s Renewable Energy Heroes

We kicked off June with a bang during our annual AfrikaVuka Week, led by 350 Africa. We honored local heroes in renewable energy through the AfrikaVuka Awards, celebrating incredible people and organizations from Cameroon, Senegal, Uganda, Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa for their dedication to renewable energy solutions.

Among the stars were individuals like Julius Mujuni, who has supported 190+ clean energy entrepreneurs, created 800 jobs, and offset 200,000+ metric tonnes of carbon in Uganda and groups like the Circle of Grand Pioneers, setting up decentralized renewable energy systems in Benin. For us these awards celebrate the rise of renewable energy in Africa, led by communities saying no to fossil fuels and yes to sustainable power! Congratulations to all the AfrikaVuka Awards winners – keep inspiring Africa and us all!

The Circle of Pioneers receive their AfrikaVuka Award at the AfrikaVuka Awards Ceremony in Benin. Photo credit: Cogito Arts Photography

Making the Future in Europe

With the European Parliament elections in full swing from 6-9 June, we knew it was our moment to raise our voices loud and clear! Across 13 countries in Europe, including Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, Spain, Austria, Poland, Denmark, France, and Belgium, we joined forces in over 130 cities. Teaming up with our partners at Climate Action Network (CAN) International, we took to the streets with clear demands for climate and justice:

• End fossil fuel finance and subsidies,
• Tax the rich and make polluters pay,
• Cancel the debt of Global South countries so the money can go to renewable energy.

We believe in the collective Power to the People: we have the right to decide how to manage politics, economics, and our energy systems. Our message was strong and unwavering: together, #WeMakeTheFuture!

Activists march in Germany on 2 June, ahead of European Parliament Elections. Photo credit: Santiago Rodriguez

Promoting a Fair Energy Transition

On 10 June, we had a powerful virtual press conference where we launched our Principles for Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETPs). JETPs are collaborative efforts among countries to ensure a speedy transition for developing countries to renewable energy sources. Sadly, the reality is that expensive access to finance traps these nations in debt and takes resources away from funding this transition.

The Principles for JETP advocate for fairness, transparency, and equity in climate finance, ensuring developing countries can transition to renewable energy without falling into debt. Collectively developed by 350africa.org, 350.org and our partners, they aim to empower local communities, promote climate justice, and call on global leaders to support sustainable energy solutions for all.

An overview of the principles for just energy transition partnerships in developing countries. Taken from: Principles for a fair JETP by Recipient Countries

Flipping the Switch on Banks in Asia

Throughout Asia, our Flip the Switch Campaign gained momentum as we joined forces at the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Asia Clean Energy Forum. From Bangladesh to Japan, our teams rallied in protest, urging the ADB to support a fair transition to cleaner energy across developing countries. We made it clear: no more funding for destructive projects like dams, nuclear facilities, waste-to-energy schemes, and fossil gas. Instead, we demanded a shift towards renewable energy sources. We called for transparency, fairness, and responsibility in investments and emphasized the importance of involving local communities in decision-making processes to protect their rights and livelihoods. Our activists protested directly outside ADB offices and project locations, showing the Bank that we are not backing down.

A hundred activists protest in front of the ADB headquarters, on 6 June, in Manila, the Philippines. Photo credit: 350 Pilipinas

One to Watch

Our fantastic team in Indonesia has just launched the long-awaited extended version of their film AdventuRE, where we explore the exciting challenges and opportunities of community-based renewable energy in Indonesia.

Have a look at Java’s powerhouse role in generating over 60% of the nation’s electricity, Bali’s bold steps towards a green energy transition, and Sumba’s eye-opening reality of unequal development:

Watch the film

Use Your Power

Are you sick of hearing about the devastating impacts of the climate crises? Do you want to do something about it? Join our movement by taking actions from signing a petition to organizing in your community for change. We’ve made it easy for you:

Get involved

Skill Up Your Activism

We’ve talked a fair bit so far about the need for our leaders to take action against the fossil fuel industry.

But do you know where the real power lies? That’s right – it’s with us, the people! We’re the ones choosing our leaders and we are the ones rallying every day to push them for change.

Dive into our fun (and free!) 20-minute course, developed by the 350.org team, and discover how social movements like ours can win, even against the wealthy and politically connected fossil fuel industry.

Discover the course

Quote of the month

“The planet is trying to tell us something. Now is the time to mobilize, now is the time to act, now is the time to deliver.”

– António Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations on World Environment Day, 5 June 2024

IN OTHER NEWS

• COP29 climate hosts say they’ll keep expanding fossil fuels
• Climate finance chasm remains unbridged at the Bonn Climate Conference
• Will Mexico’s new climate scientist President change the country’s energy policy?

 

The post Fossil Free News – A critical time for climate action appeared first on 350.