NOPE28: A letter from Woola to the world

This letter originally appeared at NOPE28.COM on December 6, 2023

Dear world,

We need to talk. Somehow, the world's most important discussions on how to tackle climate change are being hosted and led by Big Oil in Dubai.

As the German MEP Michael Bloss put it, “It’s like putting the tobacco industry in charge of ending smoking.”

Let us quickly fill you in, ICYMI. For example, the host of COP28, Sultan Al Jaber (yes, the one who’s also the chief executive of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company ), is openly talking about a “phase-down” of fossil fuels instead of a phase-out.

At the same time, the global fossil fuel production in 2030 is set to be more than double the level deemed consistent with meeting goals set under the Paris Agreement.

Another stark illustration – just last week, BBC revealed the UAE’s plans to use its role as the host of the climate talks for striking oil and gas deals.

Surprising? Perhaps not.

Throughout this year, there has been widespread criticism and calls from elected officials all around the globe to free the world’s most important climate summit from fossil fuel industry interference.

Yet here we are. So, what can we do?

We don’t see any other option but to speak up and say NOPE, this is not okay.

And we put together this letter to encourage YOU to speak up.

Write to your head of state. Explain that we cannot let the fossil fuel industry lobby get in the way of a sustainable future on our planet.

See our template and guidelines for finding the contacts of your head of state.

Care to join us?

Your friends at Woola