(3 December 2018):- On the opening day of COP24 in Poland ECOLISE is calling on government leaders to recognise the global climate emergency and to make decisions which reflect the urgency and gravity of the challenge it poses.

In launching the call on behalf of the 43-member strong network for community-led initiatives on climate change and sustainability, ECOLISE president Robert Hall said:

“Many thousands of communities across the globe, from community energy cooperatives to community-supported farms, social enterprises and zero-waste initiatives, are effectively and creatively responding to the global climate emergency. Now we need government leaders to do the same. We call on them to take decisions here at COP24, in Poland, that produce real results.”

“We need recognition of the catastrophic negative consequences of business as usual. We need decisions that will deliver for the world’s communities and citizens. We also call on leaders to recognise, enable and support the bold, creative action already being taken by communities.”

“As a follow-up to the Talanoa dialogue process, we call on governments to give voice to communities by declaring an International Day for Sustainable Communities.”

In 2018 ECOLISE was the primary organiser of the second edition of the European Day of Sustainable Communities, in which communities in 24 European countries celebrated their efforts in transitioning to an equitable, post-fossil fuel society.

Robert Hall also invited those attending COP24 to the ECOLISE joint event, Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Leading the Way for Enhanced Climate Action, Showcasing Transformative Change, on Friday, 07 Dec 2018 16:45—18:15.

Speakers: Luca Jahier, President EESC; Meera Ghani, Policy Coordinator ECOLISE; Amelie Krug, Student Researcher, Global Ecovillage Network – Germany; Edna Maguigad, Policy and Governance Advisor, NTFP-EP; Gobinda Shahi, Program Director, KIRDARC; Robert Hall, President ECOLISE

The full ECOLISE  COP24 statement is:

There is now clear evidence that we are in a global climate emergency. All people – at all levels, across all sectors and all around the world – need to start acting in a way which is congruent with and proportionate to the urgency and gravity of the challenges facing humanity and the rest of life on Earth.

ECOLISE is joining the many other citizens, groups, organisations, networks and institutions who explicitly recognise this reality and are demonstrably focusing time, attention and resources on finding solutions.  We are calling on governments at all levels, and international institutions, to do the same.

The particular piece of the solution that we offer is the power and potential of community. Communities represent a potent space where people can connect and collaborate across difference, navigate complexity and find practical, real-world solutions to systemic problems.

Many thousands of communities across the globe are already doing this, responding creatively and effectively in diverse ways. They aren’t waiting for governments to act. They are filling the void created by the failure of their political representatives to provide effective leadership or to take urgent, proportionate action at government level.  ECOLISE will redouble our efforts to support community-led action and, given the urgency of the current situation, we call for the following

We call on citizens and communities to:  

• Join the growing network of communities worldwide that are taking action locally, pioneering a radical shift to regenerative cultures;
• Connect with friends, neighbours and colleagues to find solidarity and collectively design solutions that work in your context;
• Stay positive and hopeful, knowing that by working together we can achieve amazing things and find better ways to live now and in the future.

We call on governments worldwide to:

• Recognise the catastrophic negative consequences of ‘business as usual’ policies on climate change and sustainability;
• Take responsible leadership at COP24 and beyond and take decisions that produce the results that the world’s communities and citizens need and deserve, and that keep global temperatures below 1.5 degrees Celsius;
• Recognise, enable and support the bold, creative action already being taken by communities across the globe;
• Give voice to such communities, as a follow-up to the Talanoa dialogue process, through the declaration of an International Day for Sustainable Communities.

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Join us at COP24, Booth 87 and on Friday, 07 Dec 2018 16:45—18:15 for our side event

Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Leading the Way for Climate Action

The role and contribution of indigenous peoples and local community initiatives for enhanced climate ambition, showcasing transformative change

Speakers: Luca Jahier, President EESC; Andrew Cooper, Rapporteur COR; Meera Ghani, Policy Coordinator ECOLISE; Amelie Krug, Student Researcher, Global Ecovillage Network – Germany; Edna Maguigad, Policy and Governance Advisor, NTFP-EP; Gobinda Shahi, Program Director, KIRDARC; Robert Hall, President ECOLISE

For further information please follow Twitter @Ecolise or contact Iva Pocock iva.pocock (at) ecolise.eu  or Robert Hall, robert.hall (at) ecolise.eu or +46 76 2187369