Eleven actions you can take today to impact COP27

You can speak up to urge world leaders at COP27 to take the urgent climate action we need to see.

If “big, nebulous, and dry” sum up your thoughts on COP27, you’re not alone. Like a lot of political summits, conferences, and round-tables, the UN Climate Change Conference — taking place this year from Nov. 6 to Nov. 18 in Egypt — can seem impenetrable.

While leaders deliberate on the actions they’ll take to defend the planet in boardrooms, it’s easy to feel helpless as an everyday citizen without the knowledge, platform, or authority to make policy changes on a global scale.

But not only is it possible for you to engage with COP27, it’s actually essential — and you don’t have to have a degree in international diplomacy, promise.

Over the course of COP27’s two weeks, leaders from around the world will come together for crucial discussions regarding what urgent actions need to be taken to tackle the climate crisis head-on. But what they discuss and what they decide is still on the table. You, as a Global Citizen, can use your voice to make sure those leaders know what we’re demanding of them.

At the conclusion of last year’s summit, Alok Sharma, the UK President of COP26, said: “We can now say with credibility that we have kept 1.5 degrees Celsius alive. But its pulse is weak and it will only survive if we keep our promises and translate commitments into rapid action.”

Here’s how you can help put the activism defibrillator on COP27.

1. Learn More About COP27

What is a COP? Where is it happening? What really goes on there? Who takes part? And what are Global Citizens around the world campaigning for?

All of your COP questions, answered.

Knowledge is power! School yourself by reading Global Citizen’s COP27 explainer.

2. Stand Up for the Environment

From desertification to the acidification of our oceans, the environment is under threat from all angles because of the climate emergency.

This doesn’t just affect the natural world itself, it affects life on land and below water as well as communities that depend on these resources.

Sign the petition demanding that world leaders take immediate action to protect our world.

3. Pressure World Leaders to Stop Financing Fossil Fuel Wars

Not only are fossil fuels the main drivers of the global climate emergency, they also fund Putin’s war on Ukraine.

We’re demanding that all parties attending COP27 adopt concrete plans to phase out fossil fuel subsidies by 2025 or sooner, and reinvest these funding in clean, just, and sustainable energy systems, and green recoveries.

COP27 must put an end to fossil fuels. Join Global Citizen’s call now by telling world leaders to stop financing fossil fuel wars and the climate emergency.

4. Ask G20 Nations to Cough Up on Climate Finance

In 2009, wealthy nations (which are also those most responsible for the climate crisis) pledged to mobilize $100 billion in climate finance annually by 2020 to support vulnerable nations with mitigation (avoiding and reducing greenhouse gas emissions) and adaptation (adjusting to current and future climate change impacts).

But they’re still yet to pay it, and have said they don’t expect to do so until 2023.

We’re asking wealthy countries to deliver on their promise to deliver the $100 billion per year to climate-vulnerable countries with immediate effect until 2025. Tell those wealthy nations it’s time to cough up.

5. Put the Pressure on French President Macron

At a time when climate change is wreaking havoc on the world, France has the opportunity to be on the right side of history.

The French government has made an important commitment to deliver 6 billion euros by 2025 in climate finance — but it must not stop there.

Right now, only a third of France’s climate funding goes towards helping communities adapt to existing climate change. But the government must increase funding for adaptation projects while working urgently to close the $10 billion climate finance gap.

Ask President Macron to please make this issue a top priority this year, and throughout his new term as President, by signing this letter.

6. Tweet Wealthy Nations About Loss & Damage 

Now it’s time to put that learning into action by telling G7 leaders (that’s Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States) about loss and damage and making it clear that they need to act now.

This loss and damage funding must be new and additional to official development assistance (ODA).

In addition, countries must agree on a more ambitious post-2025 finance goal, co-created with developing countries and climate-vulnerable communities.

Hit the G7 leaders up on Twitter by taking action here.