Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development
BAKU, AZERBAIJAN – Civil society organizations, environmental advocates, and representatives of communities affected by fossil fuel projects called on world leaders to put a stop to the global fossil gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) buildout in an action on the ground at the 29th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29).
In an action featuring the clownfish film character Nemo, international groups including the Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED), Protect Verde Island Passage, Caritas Philippines, Don’t Gas Africa, Instituto de Energia e Meio Ambiente (IEMA), and Oil Change International said LNG and gas should not be allowed to harm marine biodiversity and coastal communities in any part of the globe. The action was held during the Food, Agriculture, and Water Day at COP29.
International speakers gave the following statements:
“In the Philippines, the Verde Island Passage is touted as the Amazon of the Oceans. Unfortunately, when it comes to gas and LNG, VIP is also the epicenter of expansion. In a report we just published, we found that those who are supporting gas expansion in key biodiversity areas across Southeast Asia and in the VIP in my own home country are Global North and East Asian firms. We believe that gas and LNG is not a transition fuel for us, and we are asking to stop gas and LNG projects in Southeast Asia. To protect our biodiversity, stop LNG,” said Avril de Torres, Deputy Executive Director of CEED.
“Let’s be clear: LNG is not a ‘transition fuel’—it’s a time bomb. It only deepens our reliance on fossil fuels and locks us into a future of climate disasters. In just a month, the Philippines was ravaged by 6 typhoons with 4 being super typhoons, killing hundreds, displacing a half million communities and causing significant losses and damages in agriculture and infrastructure. As we are in the midpoint of the negotiations, we are here to show fossil fuel lobbyists and the world that their days of exploiting people and the planet for profit are numbered,” said Jefferson Estela from Protect VIP.
“We are delaying the process and we have no more time. We are in a climate emergency. Something abnormal is happening in our country because we already experienced six storms in a few weeks – one after the other. Our communities are still dealing with these disasters and the flooding caused by global warming. I hope that our voices in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, will be heard,” said Bishop Gerry Alminaza, Vice-Chairperson of Caritas Philippines.
“In Africa, we have the potential to push and develop the continent for renewable energy. Unfortunately, only 2% of the current financing of renewable energy is given to us, and it’s mostly from the Global South areas. The projects brought to us are mostly fossil fuels, which are colonial and exploitative, displacing communities from their land and polluting the waters. This has to stop now, not tomorrow or the day after tomorrow,” said Omar Elmawi from Don’t Gas Africa.
“They say that gas is improving lives – no one’s life is being improved apart from the rich billionaires. This is not helping actual people. We are here at the finance COP. We are here urging rich countries to pay up their fair share to mobilize the public finance that we know that we need to help the Global South with climate adaptation, climate mitigation, loss and damage, and transition away from fossil fuels,” said Collin Rees from Oil Change International US.
“We hope to have LNG exploration stop right now,” said Ricardo Baitelo from Instituto de Energia e Meio Ambiente (IEMA Brazil).
