OILWATCH International network members have declared that there must be a halt to the propagation of false narratives such as ‘Net Zero Emissions’ at a time the world requires ‘Real Zero Emissions’ as the way out of calamitous climate change.
Oilwatch International network members made up of community representatives from oil regions, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), community-based organisations (CBOs), the academia made the demand when they met in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State, Nigeria, between October 19 to 21, 2021, physically and virtually, for the maiden edition of the Oilwatch International Global Gathering.
The gathering, which had the theme, “Demanding Real Zero, Not Net Zero” aimed to present the way out of the climate quagmire and present real options for climate action.
The gathering looked critically at the false solutions to Climate Change including the ‘Net Zero’ concept which world leaders, corporations and investors are echoing as the world gets ready for COP26.
Participants deliberated on the failure of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s Conference of Parties (COP) which over the years has become an avenue for trade talks, commercial pledges, and avoidance of real action irrespective of the glaring unfolding climate catastrophe.
According to a statement from Oilwatch, environment groups noted that at a time when the world is experiencing extreme weather events including droughts, wildfires, cyclones, hurricanes and floods, leaders are getting sucked into false solutions that lock in dependence on fossil fuels with the promises of techno-fixes for carbon removals, solar radiation management and/or carbon offsets.
The implications of fossil fuels exploitation on human rights and on primary economies including agriculture, fisheries, and livelihoods of community folks were also discussed.
Participants observed the following: “Big polluters, the perpetrators of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions globally have continued to wield untoward influence on the climate negotiations as evidenced in the new mantra of Net Zero, a suite of algorithms and technologies, an updated version of the myth of carbon offsetting, which now seems still to be leading the discussions, rather than real climate actions, now under the Paris Agreement.
“Countries and territories in the Global South that have not contributed significantly to the problem are disproportionately impacted by climate change.”
Flowing from intense debates and discussions, participants at the Oilwatch Global Gathering declared that: “There must be a halt to the propagation of false narratives such as ‘Net Zero Emissions’ at a time the world requires ‘Real Zero Emissions’ as the way out of calamitous climate change.
“COP26 in Glasgow UK, should not be an arena for deliberations on false notions such as Nature Based Solutions, Net Zero, Carbon neutrality, carbon offsetting but rather real actions including keeping fossil fuel resources in the ground.
“The use of Nature Based Solutions should not be an excuse for land and sea grabbing and displacement of indigenous communities.”
They also demanded that all governments need to urgently go back to a binding global emissions reduction rather than the so-called Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) which according to the UN computations of submissions made so far will lead the world to a calamitous temperature increase of up to 2.7oC above pre-industrial levels.
“There should be no new coal, oil, or gas extraction expansion plans in line with the best available science as outlined by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the United Nations Environment Programme.
“Phase-out of existing extraction of fossil fuels in a manner that is fair and equitable, considering the respective dependency of countries on fossil fuels and the importance of transitioning workers in the fossil fuels industry to more social, environment and climate friendly sectors.
“Need for Parties attending COP26 to reintroduce the distinction between the Kyoto Protocol Annex 1 Countries and consider the creation of the Annex 0 countries and consider payment of ecological debts to communities that have been sacrificed over the years while fossil fuel corporations rake in blood profits.”
“Ensure a global just transition to 100% access to renewable energy, with no corporate and no extensive base, that contribute to energy sovereignty, support for dependent economies to diversify away from fossil fuels, and enable all people and communities, especially in the Global South, to flourish.
“Communities should play major roles and be heard in negotiations at the COP as they are at the forefront of the climate disasters occurring globally.
“Oil impacted communities that suffer impacts like the Niger Delta, or Ecuadorian Amazon, must be properly cleaned up.
“Oil companies should be held accountable and not continue in impunity.”
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