Time to speed up the energy transition with a price on carbon
Time to speed up the energy transition with a price on carbon
NEWSLETTER, Feb. 2024—CCI gears up for Climate Income push; Snowpersons help deliver climate message; CCI Africa Coordinator receives doctorate; World Bank/IMF spring meetings must focus on climate.
In early February, the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service reported that during the previous 12 months, global temperatures were 1.5 degrees Celsius warmer than in the pre-industrial era. This threshold, scientists warn, must not be exceed in order to avoid the most catastrophic consequences of climate change. Temperatures will likely drop below this benchmark as the current El Nino weather event runs its course, but this alarming news is another sign that we’re running out of time to phase out fossil fuels, the primary source of heat-trapping gases. By decreasing the demand for coal, oil and gas, we can speed up the transition to clean energy and transportation. The most effective tool to accomplish this is a price on carbon, which can be a tough sell when it causes the cost of living to increase. That’s why CCI volunteers are promoting a policy known as “Climate Income,” which gives the revenue raised by carbon pricing back to households with payments, in many cases, exceeding added costs. Sounds like a win-win to us.
CCI gears up for Climate Income push
In order to keep global temperatures from increasing to levels that will have catastrophic consequences, it is imperative that the world phase out the use of fossil fuels as quickly as possible. One of the best tools to speed up the process is a price on carbon, which will find greater public acceptance through a policy known as “climate income” that gives revenue to households. In January, Citizens’ Climate International launched the Climate Income Working Group with the aim of spreading the word about this effective approach.
Those who would like to join this effort are invited to attend a workshop the group is hosting on April 9. In the workshop, participants will learn how to discuss climate income, carbon border adjustment mechanisms, carbon pricing and redirecting financial flows in a straightforward manner for both the general public and politicians. CCI will also offer an opinion column that volunteers can submit to local newspapers in conjunction with Earth Day (April 22).
Register now to attend the workshop. You can choose from one of three convenient times.
Snowpersons help deliver climate message in Toronto
Citizens’ Climate Lobby Canada was among a group of 10 organizations that met in Toronto with 18 members of the Provincial Parliament to discuss the need for a radical shift in Ontario’s energy policy. Providing a little levity were snowpersons with various messages such as "Canadian winters with no snow?" Cathy Orlando, representing CCL Canada, emphasized the collective effort for the greater good, underscoring the risks posed to climate, health systems, financial structures, and energy infrastructure.
CCI’s Africa Coordinator receives doctorate
Congratulations to CCI Africa Coordinator David Michael Terungwa, who recently received his doctorate in Environmental Management from the University of Abuja in Nigeria. Mike’s thesis examined the impact that climate change is having on crop yield in the state of Benue in Nigeria. Known as the “food basket of Nigeria,” Benue’s temperatures have risen 0.23C per decade over the past 30 years. Rainfall is also decreasing. Mike’s study suggests that there is a strong and reliable statistical basis for concluding that climate variability is impacting crop yield and the farmers in Benue State. The findings underscore the importance of integrating climate change adaptation strategies into agricultural policies and practices at the local level to ensure food security for a growing national population.
World Bank/IMF spring meetings must focus on climate
The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund will conduct their spring meetings in Washington, D.C., April 17-19. The decisions these two international financial institutions make play an important role in determining the developmental priorities of much of the world. With climate change having an impact on every sector — industry, agriculture, transportation, housing, health, etc. — it is critical that those decisions further, rather than impede, the transition away from fossil fuels and toward a sustainable future, something we refer to as climate-smart finance.
Citizens’ Climate International will be part of that discussion in Washington, pushing for more climate value in the global economy that includes:
A clear, directional signal to transition away from global heating pollution;
Multilevel, multilateral cooperation, in line with the PARIS Principles;
Mainstream use of data systems that connect Earth science insights to financial and other decision-support data;
Climate-smart trade relations that routinely integrate decarbonized, resilience-building elements, across value chains;
Catalytic and vulnerability-sensitive finance, including through debt relief and co-investments;
Food systems that avoid climate damage, restore and sustain ecosystems, and deliver better health and climate value;
Capital to community systems that allow for localized design and decision-making.
For more background on what’s needed to achieve a climate-resilient future by 2040, check out our latest post on the Climate Value Exchange.
CCI’s Joe Robertson on Climate Optimists podcast
A lot has been said about COP28 being hosted by a petro-state (the UAE) and led by an oil executive, and now the next climate conference will also be hosted by a petro-state (Azerbaijan) and led by someone with a long career in fossil fuels. Can real progress be made with climate conferences hosted in nations that depend on the proliferation of fossil fuels?
Citizens’ Climate International Executive Director Joe Robertson will be featured on the Climate Optimists podcast to share his thoughts about the COP process, the progress that’s been made toward addressing the climate crisis and what can be done to improve the UN-led climate negotiations. The episode will be posted March 12. In the meantime, check out some of their previous episodes.
Updates
Five New Chapters launched in February: Rio de Jaineiro, Brazil; Cairo, Egypt; Monrovia, Liberia; Budapest, Hungary; Yola Adamawa State, Nigeria. Also, please welcome our new leader in Freetown, Sierra Leone, David J. Allieu.
Climate Income Exchanges between CCLCanada and a Spanish MEP: CCI Spain facilitated a dialogue and exchange of information about Canada's Climate Income policy between CCL Canada and a member of the European Parliament from Spain. Discussions to come.
CCI in Tel Aviv and CCI in Mexico City engaged directly with politicians about the topic of carbon pricing.
CCI’s Accra chapter marked Ghana’s 67th Independence Day celebration with a Climate talk/webinar on The Effect of Carbon Pricing on Developing Countries.
African regional dialogue on The Africa We Want and the United Nations We Need: CCI Africa Regional Coordinator David Michael Terungwa, PhD, participated in a 3-day dialogue held in Abuja, Nigeria, on March 6 as part of the process for the Summit of the Future in September 2024.
CCL Lahore leader Raza Hussain Qazi published an op-ed in The News, “A fund for the vulnerable,” about the recently launched Loss and Damage Fund’s focus on protecting women and children. He publishes a column weekly.
EnROADS update: Inspired by the 2023 work of Alba Pena (CCI Mexico), as part of their monthly education, Citizens' Climate International leaders were given an introduction to the EnROADS Climate Policy Simulator. Citizens' Climate Lobby UK then introduced their members to the simulator too. Alba Pena continues to empower us all and is currently on an 80-school tour with the EnROADS simulator.
CCL Canada and a member of Ontario’s Provincial Parliament held a press briefing to urge changes in provincial energy law that encourages use of electricity rather than methane in home heating.
CCL Canada gets what it lobbied for again — twice: Concerned about the lack of understanding and support for carbon pricing, in 2023 CCL Canadians lobbied parliamentarians to change the name of the Climate Action Incentive Payment (CAIP) and for the line in bank statements to make it clearer what the direct deposit from the government was about. On Valentine's Day, they got what they lobbied for. The CAIP is now the Canada Carbon Rebate and the government is urging banks to make the financial statement clearer. Check out CCL Canada's posts on Instagram to find out more and like what they have done.
Coming up
CCI Monthly Global Check-Ins: Join one of three calls around Tuesday, March 12, to share reports from around the world, learn together and empower each other. This month's educational segment will be how to pitch an opinion column to your local newspapers about Climate Income for Earth Day (April 22). CCI Leaders please look in your emails. Please note: Clocks will change in North America and thus the timing of the call changes.
Get-To-Know-Us: Join us to learn how you can help drive evidence-based and socially just climate action on one of three calls around Wednesday, March 20. In 2024, the agenda has been revamped to include an introduction to the EnROADS policy simulator and a primer on redirecting financial flows. Register here.
The Climate Income and Redirecting Financial Flows Workshop: On Tuesday, April 9, Citizens' Climate International's newly formed Climate Income Working Group will host a workshop on climate income and redirecting financial flows. There are 3 convenient times to choose from. Register now.
Citizens for Climate: Uniting Voices for a Healthy Manitoba: CCL Manitoba in Canada, alongside three other NGOs, is cohosting a training and breakfast in their provincial capital of Winnipeg April 3-4 at the Manitoba Legislature. Registration is now open here.
Dream No Small Dreams - CCL Canada's National Conference and Lobbying Days: If you live in Canada, make plans to join this event in Ottawa June 2-4. Registration opens in early March.
