Join 180+ Groups: Pacific Climate Activists Urge Brazil to Break Free from Fossil Fuels Ahead of COP30

Pacific climate activists took a significant step this week by delivering a powerful letter to Brazil, the host of the upcoming United Nations climate conference, COP30. This letter, endorsed by over 180 groups—including Indigenous, youth, and environmental organizations—calls for a clear and urgent transition away from fossil fuels toward renewable energy. The campaign was organized by 350.org, a global grassroots movement focused on climate action.

Among the signatories were representatives from Indigenous communities in the Amazon, the Pacific Islands, and Australia. The letter was presented to COP30 President André Corrêa do Lago and Brazil’s Environment and Climate Change Minister Marina Silva at the Free Land Camp in Brasília.

The activists emphasized the need for global commitment to combat climate change effectively. "We demand that COP30 supports an equitable transition away from fossil fuels towards renewable energy," they wrote. The letter highlights concerns for marginalized groups, urging that proposed solutions consider their needs and ensure justice across social, economic, and gender lines.

A key point made in the letter is the urgency of stopping new fossil fuel projects. Scientists warn that without halting the expansion of coal mines and oil fields, limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius will be impossible, especially in sensitive ecosystems like the Amazon. The letter notes, “Tripling renewables by 2030 is essential, but it won’t be enough unless we also quickly phase out fossil fuels.”

George Nacewa, a community organizer for 350.org in Fiji, highlighted the gravity of the situation. He urged the Brazil COP Presidency to transition from discussion to decisive action. "This is a critical time for our people; the age of deliberation is long past," Nacewa said, voicing the demand of the group known as the “Pacific Climate Warriors.” They are urging that COP30 be the milestone that drives real change rather than empty promises.

The event will take place in Belém, Brazil, from November 10 to 21, and it comes at a time when climate-related disasters are increasingly common around the world. As more people recognize the urgency to act, social media is buzzing with reactions to the letter and the growing movement. Hashtags related to COP30 are trending, with users sharing their views and calling for concrete steps to be taken during the conference.

The call to action coincides with a 2023 report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), revealing that global greenhouse gas emissions must peak before 2025 to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. As the world watches, COP30 stands as a pivotal moment for climate policy and international cooperation.

This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ. For more on climate initiatives, you can visit RNZ Pacific or read further insights from Asia Pacific Report.

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