Filipina calls for end to fossil fuels at UN Climate Ambition Summit in New York
MANILA, Philippines — Last September 20, a Filipina made history when she spoke at the UN Climate Ambition Summit in New York and asked world governments to make huge changes in policies that affect the environment.
Climate campaigner and civil society leader Lidy Nacpil called for decisive bold actions for a rapid, equitable transition out of fossil fuels directly to renewable energy systems and urged everyone to “undertake an international treaty for the non-proliferation of fossil fuels and move for a global phase-out with clear timelines.”
"The current commitments are nowhere near enough. We need new commitments and agreements, including an international treaty for the non-proliferation of fossil fuels and a global phase-out with clear timelines and fair sharing of actions, to reach real zero (emissions) by 2050," Nacpil said in her three-minute speech, in her capacity as coordinator of the regional alliance Asian Peoples' Movement on Debt and Development.
She noted that transitioning out of fossil fuels directly to renewable energy must be made "with no loopholes, no exceptions, no false solutions that merely extend the life of fossil fuels and serve as an excuse to continue emitting greenhouse gases."
Nacpil called on wealthy countries to meet their "full obligations to deliver climate finance." She deemed this necessary "for equity and fair sharing of efforts in the energy transition, without which this transition will not succeed."
For the climate finance she calls for, she explained, "We, the people of the Global South, are not asking for aid or assistance. Climate finance is an obligation and part of reparations for historical and continuing injustices. We have a right, not just to survive, but also to build a better home and future for our children."
"The climate crisis has already claimed millions of lives, wreaked devastating impacts on our health, livelihoods, food and water statements, caused trillions of dollars in damages to crops, homes and infrastructure, and triggered horrifying disasters such as super typhoons, unprecedented droughts and raging wildfires. How much more pain, loss, and suffering will it take for governments and corporations to do the necessary?" Nacpil pointed out.
She added: "We urge governments to meet their duties and obligations to their people, to all of humanity. We especially call on the governments of the wealthiest countries, who bear the biggest responsibilities for the climate crisis, whose commitments are the farthest away from their fair share of climate actions, and yet are fond of presenting themselves as climate champions," she stated.
The UN Climate Ambition Summit convened by the UN Secretary General Ant?nio Guterres saw the participation of leaders from government, business, finance, local authorities, and civil society who are the "first movers and doers" in abating the climate crisis through their credible actions, policies and plans.
A total of 34 world leaders were invited to speak during the summit's morning session. Aside from Nacpil, six representatives from non-member states and international financial institutions were allowed to deliver their remarks. These included representatives from global financial services provider Allianz the Green Climate Fund, the International Monetary Fund, the State of California, and the World Bank.
At the end of the Summit, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres outlined an "Acceleration Agenda" to address the "horrendous effects of climate change," and one of the ways to do this is to put an end to fossil fuel subsidies around the globe.
