Join Global Witness in putting #PeopleNotPolluters first at COP27

Together we will ensure that politicians put people not polluters first – to reduce carbon emissions, keep our forests standing, and to protect those most impacted by the climate crisis.  See below how you can get involved in our events on the ground.

Global leaders will face worldwide scrutiny to ensure climate commitments are urgently made to avoid disastrous climate breakdown. We’ll be teaming up with partners and allies at COP to put pressure on governments in the Global North and the EU to put in place strong corporate due diligence laws that put people not polluters first, with real accountability for corporate actors.

Last year, we revealed that Fossil Fuel lobbyists were the largest delegation at COP. This can’t happen again. From Indigenous groups in Brazil to activists in Uganda and land defenders in India, all around the world people are on the frontline of the climate crisis, standing up for our planet and our future. These are the people who have the solutions to the climate crisis and can create the change we need.  Without them, COP27 is just another room of powerful polluters putting profit over people and planet.

Our digital campaign #PeopleNotPolluters brings together the crucial voices of those impacted by the climate crisis to hold those in power accountable at COP27 – over 600 influential voices from over 30 countries will be amplifying these asks. We’re also collaborating with the Youth Pavilion, Fridays For Future, FFF Digital and Youth4Nature.

Be sure to sure to follow @Global_Witness on Twitter and sign up to our mailing list to be the first to know. 

If you’re in Egypt, here are two Global Witness events you can join to help us push for accountability and change that put people not polluters first:

Ending fossil fuels that fund war

Global Solidarity Against Fossil-Fuelled Violence & Climate Breakdown – November 9, 2022, 11:30am-1:00pm Egypt time. Location: Ukrainian Pavilion, Blue Zone. 

A high-level panel organised by the Ukrainian delegation to COP27 and Global Witness, highlighting the link between fossil fuels, climate breakdown, and war, and how different countries and communities from around the globe can come together to build a fossil-free future.

Event speakers include: Svitlana Grynchuk (Deputy Minister for Environmental Protection, Ukraine), Nina Lakhani (Senior Climate Justice Reporter, The Guardian US), Bill McKibben (350.org, US), Disha Ravi (founder, Fridays for Future India) and Louis Wilson (Global Witness, UK, event moderator)

Watch the live stream

Protecting land and environmental defenders around the world

Environmental Defenders Advancing Climate Justice: Rights, Resilience and Resistance – November 12, 2022, 4:45 – 6:15pm Egypt time. Location: Blue Zone, Room: Khufu (300) – Stay tuned for livestream information.

As the climate crisis worsens, so does the violence against those protecting our environment – including climate-critical forests. To achieve real climate justice we need to address the situation of those working on the frontlines to demand climate action. Join us for a panel discussion with Global Witness and civil society organisations on what must be done to protect defenders around the world from violence and threats.  

Event speakers: The event will be opened by keynote speaker Marina Silva, Former Minister of Environment of Brazil (2003-2008), followed by brief remarks by US Senator Edward Markey from Massachusetts. Speakers include Global Witness, FENAMAD, Amadiba Crisis Committee, Asia Pacific Network of Environment Defenders (APNED) and EarthRights International. Facilitators include Natural Justice and CIVICUS. 

A short video produced by Global Witness profiling a case of criminalisation of climate defenders will also be screened to showcase the voices of those who are unable to participate at the COP due to the threats they face.

See you in Egypt at COP27!