I’ve just come back from the international climate summit, COP27 in Egypt.
We went to sound the alarm about the debt crisis and call for debt cancellation and no new debt for countries on the front line of the climate emergency.
I’ve got some great news!
You may have read in the media about a new fund that has been set up for loss and damage. Civil society groups and campaigners from across the world have been fighting for this fund for decades.
Thousands of you joined marches, made placards, signed petitions and attended events to raise your voice for this campaign. This win really does show that every action counts!
However, there was a complete failure on wider climate demands to agree emissions reductions and phasing out fossil fuels.
This has left me even more determined to keep up the pressure.
We met many friends in Egypt who are also fighting both the debt and climate crises.
Juan Pablo Gutierrez, international delegate of the ONIC (National Indigenous Organisation of Colombia) told us:
“I'm here today because I have a daughter of six whose name is Inti, and I want her to become an adult in a live-able world, remembering how we overcame this crisis, not grieving for how we failed to respond to the seriousness of the moment. The moment has come to cancel all illegitimate financial debts”
In the coming months we’ll be standing with Juan Pablo and other allies to demand debt cancellation for climate justice.
But for now, I want to say a massive thank you for your contribution to our campaign. When we met with other activists from across the world, I was mindful of your support and all the ways you take action to build our collective power.
We were inspired by the strength of the global movement at COP27 and what can be achieved when we build solidarity together. We remain determined, in solidarity with the global movement, to keep fighting for debt and climate justice.
Best wishes,
Heidi Chow,
Executive Director, Debt Justice
