Dear, COP29 Leaders/Chairperson,
As women from coal-affected communities, we write to you with heavy hearts and high hopes for urgent and meaningful action to address the devastation coal mining has caused to our environment, health, and livelihoods.
Our Reality:
Coal mining has polluted our air, water, and soil, making it difficult to grow food, access clean water, or lead healthy lives. The emissions from coal power plants exacerbate climate change, resulting in floods, droughts, and disasters that disproportionately impact our families and communities.
Women bear the brunt of these crises. We face displacement, economic insecurity, and rising violence as natural resources are depleted. Our children grow up breathing toxic air and drinking contaminated water, while our voices are often ignored in decision-making processes.
Our Demands:
1. End Coal Reliance: Establish clear timelines for phasing out coal and transitioning to renewable energy by 2030 in OECD countries and 2040 globally.
2. Ensure a Just Transition: Invest in sustainable industries and provide social support systems for communities that depend on coal mining. Include women in designing and implementing these programs.
3. Hold Polluters Accountable: Strengthen regulations to stop financial institutions from funding coal projects and ensure corporations address the damage they cause.
4. Promote Gender-Responsive Policies: Prioritize women’s needs and leadership in climate action plans. Recognize that empowering women leads to stronger, more sustainable solutions.
We urge you to listen to the voices of those on the frontlines of the climate crisis. Women like us have the lived experience, strength, and resilience to contribute to building a sustainable future—if only we are given the opportunity.
COP29 must be a turning point where promises translate into action. For the sake of our children and our planet, we demand accountability, urgency, and justice.
Yours sincerely,
Mrs. Audu Salome
[Effeche Community Women Leader
Facilitated by Green leaf Advocacy and Empowerment Center- Nigeria
In the meantime,Effeche Community women has joined others to amplify their voices on the impact of Coal Mining as # COP29# ends.
“We all know how pollution and environmental degradation is triggered by climate change effects.Coal Mining impacts tremendously hit hard on women and needs urgent response.
As engagement at COP ends we hope modalities for equitable financing ratio has been reached, so that adaptation and mitigation of climate effects at local world community will be integrated during implemention.Community women whose voices are not always heard uses this medium to remind the world that Coal Mining is not benefiting to humans and even the environment instead is affecting us destroying the environment and the people,
“We don’t need more mining activities in our community. Big corporations should stop investing on coal Mining, enough of this deceit.#COP29#” the women said.
Effeche community women in the picture above