groundWork

Compliments of the season from Friends of the Earth to friends, partners and allies in the Just Transition movement. Download our bumper Q4 2024 Newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/dEVCnzmR

It’s been over a week since the fifth round of negotiations for the Global Plastics Treaty wrapped up in Busan. While we hoped for stronger outcomes, our resolve to fight for a health-protective treaty to end plastic pollution remains stronger than ever. As our international delegation returns to their regions with renewed purpose, let’s look back on the highlights, frustrations, and hopes they shared during the final hours of INC-5. Join us in keeping the momentum alive! Let's continue pushing for a just and equitable #GlobalPlasticsTreaty that prioritizes health and ensures no exemptions for the health sector! #PlasticsTreaty #NoPlasticPollution #INC5 #PlasticsTreatyForHealth #PlasticsAndHealth Health Care Without Harm Europe Health Care Without Harm Southeast Asia Salud sin Daño groundWork Projeto Hospitais Saudáveis (Healthy Hospitals Project)

A far-reaching decision by the South African High Court yesterday: not only setting aside decisions to procure polluting new coal power, but also aspects of the 2019 Integrated Resource Plan that provided for 1500MW of new coal power. Critically, the judgment points to the failure to consider impacts of new coal power on children as a major flaw in the decision-making - this is directly relevant to the consultation processes underway around the 2024 IRP. Gratitude for the courage of the activists of the African Climate Alliance groundWork Vukani Environmental Justice Movement supported by the Life After Coal campaign, the incredibly hardworking lawyers at the Centre for Environmental Rights, the amicus interventions of the Centre for Child Law at University of Pretoria , Vaal Environmental Justice Alliance and SECTION27, and the advocates and experts who supported this case with their expertise. Special mention of the late Samson Mokoena who signed the affidavit for VEJA to be admitted as amicus curiae just a few days before he died of pneumonia in the Vaal, where he lived and fought for environmental justice all his life.

We have made history – new coal has been cancelled in court! This victorious moment marks the first time in South African history that youth have led a climate change court case against the government. Three years ago, the Cancel Coal court case was opened against the South African government to fight for our futures. The applicants included African Climate Alliance, groundWork and the Vukani Environmental Movement, represented by the Centre for Environmental Rights. Yesterday, we heard the news that we won. In a landmark ruling, the High Court of South Africa has overturned the government’s plans to add 1,500 MW of new coal-fired power to the national grid. The court found that the government failed to adequately consider the impact of coal on children's rights, particularly their right to a healthy environment, saying they are “unlawful and invalid". It’s not only young people that will benefit from an end to new coal. This is a victory for all South Africans as it writes into law the importance of considering environmental and health impacts in government decision-making. #CancelCoal To learn more about the judgement: https://lnkd.in/gyAiyjyM

With only a few hours left in the negotiations for a #PlasticsTreaty, we call on courageous delegations 🇵🇦 🇫🇯 🇷🇼 🇫🇷 to keep defending key ambitious provisions. #BeatPlasticPollution #BreakFreeFromPlastic #INC5 ✊🏽✊✊🏿We stand in solidarity with the negotiating champions and civil society actors helping the push to put planet and people before profit and pollution.

Landa ikhophi yakho yohlelo lwabantu lwezindlu ngesiNgisi: https://lnkd.in/d2Rdk-yy noma ngesiZulu: https://lnkd.in/dvdr-2rf

History was made today at the launch of the People's Plan, created over 18 months by members of the Durban Coalition. https://lnkd.in/dCf62R4d

Africa faces a dual challenge at COP29: securing adequate, predictable, and equitable climate finance and ensuring that Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are ambitious, just, and actionable. *Join us tomorrow, 18th November at 4pm in room 28 at our AJTN COP29 side event* *This side event seeks to address these intersecting issues by exploring the role of climate finance in supporting ambitious NDCs and fostering an inclusive, just transition for Africa’s most vulnerable communities.* With a focus on Africa's $1.3 trillion annual climate finance goal, the session will highlight the *importance of feminist and rights-based approaches to climate finance, as well as the role of NDCs in delivering tangible climate action outcomes.* Panelists will share diverse perspectives, from policy advocacy and gender justice to grassroots initiatives, emphasizing the need for inclusive solutions.

Weed out the Snakes! Artivist expression for global day of action COP29 Azerbaijan: climate justice campaigners take on the capture of CoP and by fraudulent fossil fuel polluters and their lobbyists who outnumber the participating member states. Go Yegeshni Moodley!!! 🙌✊🌍 https://lnkd.in/dSw5vsAP

Big up to our #JustTransition and #ClimateJustice campaigners in Baku including Yegeshni Moodley with FoE Africa, Marina Agortimevor of AJTN who spoke at the panel on Afro-Feminist Perspectives and @Kevin Munyoli of AJTN who shared insights on expanding green job opportunities for youth and accelerating the shift toward a sustainable economy. #COP29 Azerbaijan.