Consumers International to COP28: global energy system is unfair

The membership organisation for consumer groups across the world has issued a demand for equitable power.

Representatives from watchdogs in countries including India, Mexico, Canada, South Korea, Denmark, Oman, and the Netherlands have all signed. Rocio Concha, Director of Policy and Advocacy and Chief Economist at Which?, was the UK signatory. 

A climate summit is a chance to ‘radically reform’ the ‘unfair’ global energy system to prioritise customers over profits, and accelerate the transition from fossil fuels, the letter read. ‘It’s not just about expensive tech in affluent homes – but unleashing people-powered energy across the globe, from Albania to Zimbabwe’. 

‘Global leaders at COP28 must seize the opportunity to democratise energy – which will help them to avert climate catastrophe, through systems that are cleaner, more efficient and resilient, while people enjoy lower energy bills and better air quality,’ it continued. ‘To unleash this huge potential, consumers need fair up-front financing and fair payments for providing energy and flexibility services to the grid. We all need trusted information and advice to understand the solutions on offer. As representatives of consumers around the world, we know the time has come to accelerate people-powered clean energy. It’s the only viable future for both consumers and the climate.’

The UN climate summit, COP28 officially comes to an end today but disputes over the wording of a potential agreement on how fossil fuels could be phased out means many leaders are still in negotiations. Over the past two weeks, the conference, held in Dubai this year, has produced a number of significant deals, including those focused on methane and cooling system emissions. A new supply chain transparency platform has also achieved proof of concept and was unveiled to attendees. 

More on COP28:

https://environmentjournal.online/cop/cop28-delegates-are-going-nowhere-as-divides-deepen/

https://environmentjournal.online/cop/politics-vs-climate-cop28-fossil-fuel-deal-threatened-by-national-interests/

https://environmentjournal.online/cop/uk-climate-satellite-mission-contracts-awarded-at-cop28/

Image: Arthur Lambillotte