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FILE PHOTO: A coal-burning power plant can be seen behind a factory.
As world leaders gather in South Africa for the G20 Summit this weekend, the African Civil Society Organisation is demanding real action on climate justice.
The ACG20 Network – representing over 80 organisations, has issued three urgent priorities: a clear timeline to phase out fossil fuels, immediate adaptation finance for communities already facing climate impacts and debt-free climate finance to relieve the crushing cost of capital on African economies.
Researcher Charlize Tomaselli warns that with rising climate disasters, there’s no room for vague promises.
“If you look at some of the states that are involved in the G20, including South Africa and the US, both have re-committed themselves to continuing with fossil fuel production, as they say that they’re critical to development, trade, and national economies. And so, as long as you have this confusion between different state priorities around fossil fuels, it’s going to be very problematic to come to a consensus on fossil fuel phase-out.”
“Fossil fuel phase-out is not just about getting rid of fossil fuels and replacing it with renewable energies. We need to make sure that whatever fossil fuel is replaced with, that it’s done in a way that is justice-oriented and community-led,” adds Tomaselli.
G20 Social Summit | Civic groups conclude deliberations:
