ActionAid says it’s now ‘game on’ for just transition as Global South countries unite to call for new global mechanism

The COP30 climate talks in Belém witnessed a pivotal moment on day 2, when countries of the G77 plus China united to call for a new global mechanism to deliver on just transition. 

 
“This G77 proposal fires the starting gun on serious negotiations about the guardrails and systems needed to prevent climate action accidentally pushing people into poverty,” says Teresa Anderson, Global Lead on Climate Justice for ActionAid International.  

 
“It’s now game on for just transition. Countries are finally talking in earnest about how workers, women and communities can shape climate plans to make sure their lives are better and not worse. 
 
Anderson added, “Global North countries seemed taken aback by the proposal. It looked like they hadn’t realised that just transition really is a big priority for Global South countries at COP30.” 
 
“While they acknowledged the need for climate action to be shaped by just transition approaches, they couldn’t yet bring themselves to acknowledge that it’s going to take serious coordination and support to make this happen. Rich countries in the Global North can show they are sincere when they say they care about workers and communities, by agreeing to a mechanism that can raise standards for climate justice around the world.” 
 
ActionAid’s new report “Climate Finance for Just Transition: How the finance flows,” released shortly before COP30 climate negotiations, revealed that just 3% of climate finance is supporting just transition approaches.