Demonstrators called for rich nations to compensate developing countries for climate change, demanded that a pipeline project in Congo be scrapped and complained about a lack of political will to sharply reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the main cause of climate change.
Lucky Abeng, a Nigerian activist from the Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance, said the group would continue to pressure world leaders to do more and "will not be intimidated." "We need countries like the United States to be a climate leader, to stand with the people, to stand with the planet, to stand with the coming generations," said Vanessa Nakate, a climate activist from Uganda and a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. "So my message to President Biden: will you show us the money? Will you stand with the most vulnerable communities?"
Other protests featured signs with messages and chants like, "Pay up for loss and damage!" and "People vs. Fossil Fuels!" The pipeline, owned by Total Energies, China National Offshore Oil Corporation and the Ugandan and Tanzanian governments, runs from Hoima district in Uganda to Tanga Port in Tanzania. It's criticized by international environmental groups and communities along the proposed route.
Global Witness, Corporate Accountability and Corporate Europe Observatory said that they have counted 636 people linked to fossil fuel companies on the meeting's provisional list of participants, an increase of more than 25% compared to the 503 fossil fuel lobbyists counted at last year's climate talks in Glasgow, Scotland.
Throw them in jail