Postcards, TikTok and a successful Loss & Damage Campaign for COP 27

At COP27, all 134+ governments agreed to set up a Loss & Damage Fund. This marks a clear victory for ClimAct-Spark project, who has been campaigning for #ClimateJustice for decades, putting sustained pressure on rich nations to compensate for the damage their economic growth has made on the planet. It will help billions of people, particularly in the Global South, who are the least responsible but on the frontlines of climate crises. In addition, other ClimAct-Spark campaigns left a strong mark on COP27:

Children’s Postcards showcased in COP27 Delegate Speeches

Thousands of postcards drawn by children sent a special climate message to negotiators at COP27. Across Europe, ClimAct asked school children to create a picture, reminding COP27 decision-makers to take real action to protect their future. A video visualises the beautiful cards handed to the negotiators in Egypt. Hungarian delegate Barbara Kovacs showcased the postcards in her COP speech: “These children who grabbed pens and colored pencils had no idea that their requests would be presented on this platform. But we really dedicate the closing of our national speech to them, because in the end, it is all for the sake of future generations.” Professor Diána Ürge-Vorsatz, one of the leaders of the IPCC, responded to the card’s messages on Instagram. A Slovenian delegate, posted a response on Facebook, stating “you deserve these goals. It is our responsibility here at COP, to make them true.”

Successful Campaign for a Loss & Damage Fund

Prior to the COP27 in Egypt, Kenyan climate activist Elizabeth Wathuti was invited to Europe by the ClimAct-SPARK project to raise attention around climate justice. Through months of campaigning and in a powerful letter to the Presidents of COP26 and COP27, endorsed by over 140 000 people, she asked for a dedicated finance facility to help frontline communities deal with the loss and damage. The letter was handed to the President of COP27 on 9 November by Ineza Grace, a climate activist and partner from the Loss & Damage Youth Coalition.

During her tour in Europe, Elizabeth met with fellow activists, members of national governments, the European Parliament, and spoke to many journalists. In Germany, she supported activists in Lützerath to protest against a coal mine. On 23 October, she held a key note speech at the Climate March in Brussels. In Belgium she also visited regions flooded in the summer 2021, highlighting that “#ClimateJustice and international solidarity is in everyone's interest.”

Her campaigning, alongside that of many others, succeeded in securing unanimous agreement at COP27  for a #LossandDamage fund. “The adoption of loss and damage fund at #COP27 is a monumental moment sprung out of decades of advocacy for #LossandDamage from civil society.” she tweeted. Read more about the success of the DEAR Project #Spark campaign.

TikTok Influencers for Climate Justice

A few weeks before COP, influencers working with ClimAct began posting videos on TikTok with the hashtag #Showmeyourclimateinjustice. Most of their videos show the climate injustice impacts on their local community. They also include a “duet video” or stitch between two influencers, one from the Global South and the other from Europe. Some use the TiKTok hook of a popular song, such as lapolitiquedemat which has over 238 000 views thus far. Twelve videos have been shared on TikTok with more than 372 000 views. Watch all videos at the end of the Spark a Change homepage.

Credit: @Joris_explains

Toolkit for Feminist Climate Justice

In preparation of COP27, on 20 October, SPARK partner WECF International organised a webinar launch of its Climate Justice Toolkit for Youth 2022. The toolkit is filled with explanations about how COPs work, how to link climate change and feminist issues, as well as leading questions and tips on how to improve activism! It is available in Dutch, English, Spanish, Portuguese and French on the WECF website: www.wecf.org/climate-justice-toolkit-for-youth-edition-2022/