Protests Across Asia Demanding an End to Gas Expansion Ahead of COP 29

November 7, 2024
2nd admin

In the lead-up to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, various protest programs are being held across Asia from November 5–11 against gas expansion. As part of this, hundreds of fishing boats from rivers and seas in 10 Asian countries are organizing boat rallies to demand an end to fossil gas expansion.

On November 7, boat protests were organized in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, and Pakistan, demonstrating against investments in fossil gas. These protests will conclude with similar events in eight coastal regions of the Philippines on November 11, 2024, the opening day of COP 29.

In addition to Asia, similar movements and campaigns are also taking place in Africa and Latin America. Countries in these regions, affected by the expansion of the gas industry led by the world’s largest economies, are taking a stand against gas and LNG (liquefied natural gas) projects using fishing boats, a traditional livelihood symbol.

On the occasion of the Asia Days of Action, Lidy Nacpil, Coordinator of the Asian Peoples’ Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD), stated, “We from Global South movements are united in making this clarion call ahead of COP29. Continuing fossil gas investments endanger both people and the planet and are contrary to the pledge of governments at COP 28 to transition away from fossil fuels. World leaders cannot ignore the undeniable impacts of fossil gas on health, lives, the environment, and future generations. We urge them to honor their decarbonization commitments, deliver climate finance, and invest in renewable energy solutions that serve humanity and not lead us to extinction,”

She further noted, “According to studies, major economic powers, especially Canada, South Korea, and Japan, are financing fossil gas projects with over 142 billion dollars. Reducing reliance on fossil gas and transitioning to clean energy sources like solar and wind is the right path for our future.”

Sharif Jamil, Coordinator of Waterkeepers Bangladesh, said, “The expansion of fossil gas in Asia undermines global climate goals and compromises any hope of achieving the 1.5°C target set by the Paris Agreement. Continuing investments in gas infrastructure will lock Bangladesh and the entire Asia into a future of increased emissions, stranded assets and escalating climate risks. The people of Bangladesh are suffering now from the deadly impacts of climate catastrophe to their health, livelihood including the large-scale displacement of communities. This is something that future generations will have to pay for dearly.”

On Thursday, various programs were held in 15 rivers across 10 districts of Bangladesh, including Dhaka, to raise awareness about environmental protection, combat climate change, call for river conservation, and demand a halt to gas expansion. This campaign was jointly organized by the Asian Peoples’ Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD), Don’t Gas Asia, Asia Energy Network (AEN), Don’t Gas South, Dhoritri Rokhhay Amra (Dhora), Waterkeepers Bangladesh, Posur River Waterkeeper, Surma River Waterkeeper, Khowai River Waterkeeper, Shundarban Rokkhay Amra, Safe Development Foundation, Haor Rokkhay Amra, Kutubdia Island Protection Movement (KDSA), Amra Kalaparabashi, Payra River Hilsa Protection Committee, Patharghata Coastal Protection Movement, Latakata Fishermen’s Cooperative Society, Laluya Fishermen’s Cooperative Society, Pekua Coastal Fishermen’s Association, Coastal Protection Foundation, and Maheshkhali People’s Protection Platform, along with other local organizations.

Among the areas involved in these activities were the Turag River in Mirpur, Dhaka District; Meghna River at Meghna Ghat, Narayanganj District; Magnama-Kutubdia Channel in Pekua, Cox’s Bazar District; Pilotkata Canal in Kutubdia; Kohelia River in Maheshkhali; Khagdana River in Barguna Sadar Upazila, Barguna District; Baleshwar River in Patharghata; Payra River in Taltoli; Andharmanik River in Kalapara, Patuakhali District; Posur River in Mongla, Bagerhat District; Khowai River in Habiganj Sadar Upazila, Habiganj District; Bijna River in Nabiganj; Ratargul Swamp Forest in Goainghat, Sylhet District; Jamuna River in Jamalpur District; and Brahmaputra River in Mymensingh District.

Participants in the ‘Global Days of Action Against Gas Expansion’ program held placards with slogans such as: “Stop Gas Expansion,” “Stop Funding Natural Gas and LNG Projects,” “The Solution is Renewable Energy, Not Gas,” “Fossil Gas is Harmful to the Planet,” “Fossil Gas is Toxic for Humans,” “Fossil Gas is an Expensive Fuel,” “No Gas Expansion in Bangladesh,” and “Gas is Not a Transition Fuel; We Must Shift Directly to Renewable Energy.”

Their key demands included:

1. No new fossil fuel projects or financial support—whether governmental or private—no new approvals, licenses, permits, or expansions. Adequate and reasonable climate funding must be provided to honor this commitment.

2. To protect the 1.5-degree Celsius temperature limit, there must be a swift, fair, and equitable plan to phase out existing fossil fuel infrastructure, including a global fossil fuel agreement.

3. International measures must be taken to increase climate financing and technological support so that every country and local community can transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

4. Carbon offset, carbon capture and storage (CCS), and geoengineering are not real solutions to the climate crisis. These misleading solutions must be stopped.

5. Accountability for the damages caused by fossil fuel dependence must be ensured, and effective measures must be taken to rehabilitate and compensate the affected local communities.

6. Corporate influence in climate action must be stopped, and a corporate-interest-free environment must be ensured for climate discussions.