Rebecca Thissen, the Global Advocacy Leader for Climate Action Network International, recently appeared on the podcast “Sustainability In Your Ear” to discuss the upcoming COP 30 summit in Belém, Brazil. This summit, taking place a decade after the Paris Agreement, is seen as a critical moment for global climate action.
With a background in International Public Law and years of experience in climate justice advocacy, Thissen is uniquely positioned to speak on the intersection of finance, economics, and climate action. She highlights the importance of ensuring that financial resources are directed towards the areas where they are most needed, especially in the context of a just transition to a more sustainable future.
During the podcast, Thissen delves into a range of topics, including Brazil’s controversial Tropical Forests Forever Facility, the International Court of Justice’s groundbreaking ruling on climate obligations, and the concerning fact that only 10% of countries have submitted their nationally determined contributions.
One of the key issues that Thissen addresses is the inadequacy of the $300 billion annual commitment made at COP 29 in Baku, which falls far short of the $1.3 trillion that economists estimate is needed to effectively combat the climate crisis. She also raises concerns about the fact that 71% of climate finance is currently provided as loans rather than grants, exacerbating the debt crisis faced by developing countries and hindering their ability to invest in climate action.
Climate Action Network International represents nearly 2,000 organizations across 130 countries, making it the largest coalition working on climate change globally. As COP 30 approaches, Thissen encourages listeners to follow the organization’s daily updates through their ECO newsletter on climatenetwork.org.
In conclusion, the podcast with Rebecca Thissen offers valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing the global climate movement. As the world prepares to gather in Belém for COP 30, Thissen’s expertise and advocacy work provide a critical perspective on the urgent need for bold and transformative action to address the climate crisis.
