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In 2024, the fragility of our world was laid bare. The ongoing genocide in Gaza, spreading conflict in the Middle East, and the war in Ukraine have devastated tens of thousands of lives.
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At the same time, the fast-accelerating climate crisis – driven by the power of the fossil fuel industry – is wreaking havoc. Extreme weather events are destroying food systems, depleting water supplies, and devastating the world’s most climate-vulnerable communities.
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The concentration of wealth and power has been decades in the making; a direct result of the rules which govern our global economy. The inequality and injustice that have flowed is now so great that it is tearing at the social fabric in dozens of countries. International law, applied unfairly at the best of times, now has been rendered completely meaningless.
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So, the inequality, the conflicts and the climate breakdown we are witnessing aren't inevitable. They aren’t accidental. And that means that we can reverse the tide. With this email I want to give you some reasons for hope.
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Because this year, we also witnessed extraordinary solidarity and courage, not least the many millions of people across the world who have mobilised to stop the genocide taking place in Gaza. That fuels our determination and reminds us why our work matters. And even when it comes to challenging some of the most entrenched, hard-to-communicate international treaties, we can win. This year we celebrated a monumental victory: the UK’s exit from the climate-wrecking Energy Charter Treaty (ECT).
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Below, you’ll find the most significant moments from 2024 – each a testament to the power of collective action. I hope you’ll also share a sense of pride and determination. Because this work was only possible because of the incredible support of our members and supporters. Your commitment ensures we remain independent and nimble, allowing us to take on big, crucial campaigns without having to water them down. It’s because of people like you that we can stay true to our vision and push for the bold changes our world so desperately needs. Thank you for being part of this journey.
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The UK's exit from the climate-wrecking Energy Charter Treaty
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In February, the UK announced its exit from the ECT, joining a wave of European nations abandoning this harmful agreement. This victory against corporate power puts the ECT – often used by fossil fuel companies to block climate action – on the brink of collapse.
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This victory capped off three years of dedicated campaigning. Since 2021, we’ve been raising awareness about the ECT’s dangerous Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mechanism, which allows corporations to sue governments over climate policies.
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Through actions and events, media outreach, and building alliances across the UK and Europe, we turned up the pressure. By 2023, over 60 MPs supported withdrawal, and after grassroots pressure, the SNP joined the call. A petition with 120,000 signatures further fueled momentum.
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While the fight against ISDS continues, the defeat of the ECT marks a crucial step in dismantling corporate control and protecting both people and the planet.
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Looking ahead, next year we will focus on the UK-Colombia investment deal, which enables British companies to undermine human rights and the environment in Colombia through corporate courts. With the deal’s initial ten-year term now ended, we will push for the UK to collaborate with Colombia to terminate it.
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Mobilising support for a Fossil Fuel Treaty
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This year, we’ve taken significant steps toward tackling the climate crisis at its source: fossil fuels. 17 local councils across the UK, including Manchester, Glasgow, Reading, and Stroud, have now passed motions backing the call for a Fossil Fuel Treaty. Stirling University’s student union became the first in the UK to endorse the treaty, and we’ve secured growing cross-party support in Westminster, Holyrood, and the Welsh Senedd.
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We’ve also got growing support from the trade union movement, with Unison passing a resolution in support at the union’s annual conference.
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These victories are part of a global movement to phase out coal, oil, and gas production and ensure a just transition to renewable energy. Through grassroots activism, local campaigning, and strategic alliances, we’ve built real momentum.
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The climate crisis is driven by fossil fuels, yet they remain the elephant in the room at international climate summits – a sign of how powerful fossil fuel interests are. That’s why we’ve made it our mission to push this bold, globally coordinated treaty to the forefront.
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In 2025, we’ll build this campaign, pushing for more councils and more political support, including working with the union movement to ensure a just transition – the only way to undermine the power of fossil fuel corporations.
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Challenging the UK’s role in the Gaza genocide
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Historically, Global Justice Now has not campaigned on Palestine. No organisation can take on every injustice, and we have trusted others to dedicate the attention this issue requires.
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But this year, we could not remain silent. The horrifying violence unleashed on civilians in Gaza demands action. We cannot stand by while our own government actively supports a country committing genocide. Speaking out is not only our responsibility – it’s an obligation. We know that many of our activists and international allies expect no less from us.
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Over the past months, we’ve taken action to confront the UK government’s complicity in the crisis in Gaza. Israel's actions in Gaza, and its decades-long occupation, is made possible through political, military and economic support from countries like the UK.
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We’ve already increased the heat on arms sales, making some progress with a partial ban. But this isn’t enough. Next year we will work for a total arms embargo as well as challenging the UK’s trade ties with Israel, mobilising to block a new trade agreement and pushing for the suspension of the existing deal. We also plan to shine a spotlight on corporate complicity, particularly in the tech industry, exposing how major companies profit from violence and building momentum for divestment campaigns.
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Thank you for making all this possible
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It’s hard to look at the state of the world today without feeling a mix of fear, anger, and, at times, despair. But through it all, we must find hope in the incredible work being done by activists worldwide – and remind ourselves that change is possible.
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We can win, we do win, we must win. And without movements like ours, victories for justice simply wouldn’t happen. So, I want to say thank you. This year, together, we’ve made the world a little more hopeful.
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Wishing you a restful break and looking forward to seeing you in 2025.
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Nick Dearden
Director of Global Justice Now
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P.S. Most of our funds come from individual supporters like you, dedicated to challenging injustice. When you join us for as little as £3 per month today, you help us remain an outspoken and independent organisation. Again, thank you for your support this year.
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