CAN’S Statement at the Opening Plenary of COP28

We congratulate parties on the decision to operationalize the Loss and Damage Fund, including the pledges already made towards the capitalization of the Fund. 

While we celebrate this decision, even if imperfect, at the very start of this COP, it is important to remind parties that the work is far from over.  The litmus test for the success of this COP is an agreement for the full, fast, fair, and funded phase out of all fossil fuels. 

The pledges made towards the Loss & Damage Fund, while welcome, is a drop in the ocean compared to the scale of funding needed. 

It is immoral therefore that rich nations cannot find adequate funds for addressing climate impacts, yet could instantly find billions of dollars, not millions, but billions of dollars, to support a war on the people of Gaza, a war that has already killed nearly 20 000 civilians, mostly children, UN staff, medical staff and journalists. 

THE WAR ON PALESTINE MUST END NOW. THE OCCUPATION MUST END. THERE CAN BE NO PEACE WITHOUT JUSTICE: THERE CAN BE NO CLIMATE JUSTICE WITHOUT HUMAN RIGHTS. 

#CEASEFIRENOW 
#ENDFOSSILFUELS WITH JUST TRANSITION
#FAST, FAIR, FOREVER