Activists call for COP30 to deliver on just transition so that climate action leaves no one behind

Climate activists at COP30, distinguishable by their red jackets and colourful 'just transition' bingo cards, called for climate talks to deliver on an outcome that puts people first.  

The calls were made during a ‘Just Transition Bingo’ action organised by ActionAid and the Asian Peoples' Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD) inside the COP30 venue. Shouts of ‘we want just transition and we want it now’ echoed through the corridors of the venue during the photo op. The reverse of the just transition bingo cards also had 'greenwash bingo' listing the tools used by polluters to avoid real climate action.  

 Teresa Anderson, the Global Lead on Climate Justice at ActionAid, said: “Women, workers and communities need the chance to shape and benefit from climate plans that might affect them. Just transition approaches put steps in place to protect people and their rights, so that they are not accidentally pushed into poverty from narrow carbon-counting approaches. It’s time for climate action to evolve and put people at the centre, with a milestone decision on a global mechanism for just transition at COP30.”  

Lidy Nacpil, Coordinator, Asian Peoples' Movement on Debt and Development, said: “COP30 is close to establishing a Just Transition Mechanism that, if decided, will be a big step towards delivering real action for the lives and livelihoods of millions, if not billions, of people. This could not have been possible without the unity and collective action of trade unions, social movements, indigenous peoples, and civil society pushing for a Belem Action Mechanism. We continue to call for the formal representation of all affected sectors in this mechanism. There can be no just transition without peoples’ rights and representation.” 

Ends

ActionAid has spokespeople on the ground at COP30. Contact the media office to organise on media-enquiries@actionaid.org or via WhatsApp and Signal on +263772616506. 

Note to editors: The full collection of photos is available here:  https://stories.actionaid.org?c=70089&k=0c54d156e7

Available Spokespeople 

1. Teresa Anderson: Global Lead on Climate Justice at ActionAid International 
2. Brandon Wu: Senior Policy Analyst at ActionAid USA 
3. Agnes Schim van der Loef: Climate Justice Policy Adviser at ActionAid Netherlands  
4. Hamdi Benslama: EU Advocacy Advisor at ActionAid International 
5. Norwu Harris: Program Coordinator at ActionAid Liberia   
6. Michael Mwansa: Thematic Lead on Climate Justice at ActionAid Zambia 
7. Flora Vano: Country Program Manager for ActionAid Vanuatu 
8. Maryellen Crisostomo: A community leader from Baiao territory in Tocantins