The 2024 Ministerial Meeting of the International Energy Agency (IEA) holding from February 13 to 15, is being criticised for allegedly excluding civil society representation at the events.
Climate Action Network (CAN), a network of over 1,900 NGOs in more than 130 countries, has accused the IEA of failing to champion any voices from the environmental, climate or wider civil society movements for the multiple panels taking place over the three days.
This, said the group, is despite leaders acknowledging that, without massive public support, a just energy transition will simply not happen.
The organisation claims that it is part of the clean energy transition and its efforts to further climate action is essential to the process.
“The participation of civil society in international forums related to the environment is a principle enshrined in international environmental governance and more than two thirds of IEA members have a legally binding obligation to promote public participation in forums dealing with environmentally related matters,” submitted CAN.
Tasneem Essop, Executive Director, Climate Action Network International, said: “A just energy transition aligned with the Paris Agreement and a 1.5 C pathway will not happen unless people’s voices, concerns and solutions are heard. It is shocking therefore that the IEA 50th Anniversary agenda gives no space to representatives from environmental civil society, social movements or trade unions from across the world and only includes the usual echo-chamber of voices from governments, business and technical experts.
“It is time that the IEA not only recognises the important role that civil society plays to address the climate crisis, but also puts this into action through creating the space to have our voices heard. It is the only way to address this crisis so that no one is left behind.”
In a letter to Dr. Fatih Birol of the IEA, Essop wrote:
Dear Executive Director Fatih Birol,
It is with shock that I write to you as Executive Director of Climate Action Network (a network of more than 1900 regional, national and international civil society organizations in more than 130 countries). Having read the full agenda for the upcoming 50th Anniversary and IEA Ministerial we realised that not a single voice from the environmental, climate or wider civil society movements has been considered for any of the multiple panels taking place throughout the three days.
This despite leaders acknowledging that without massive public support, a just energy transition will simply not happen. We are further concerned by the lack of invitation for CAN International and its members, especially since our Network has been a consistent and supportive contributor to the work of the Agency.
Over the past years, when the IEA finally changed its policy and accepted the 1.5 C narrative, your work has increasingly connected the dots between the energy transition and the climate action imperative, and this work has been of great importance for us in the Climate Action Network and the broader climate movement.
At the same time, it is important to acknowledge that the recognition of the imperative of connecting the energy transition to a 1.5 C pathway could have happened earlier if the IEA had received inputs from the climate movement and not only from corporations, who are regularly invited to IEA meetings. How should we interpret this consistent exclusion of civil society, and in particular the climate movement from your discussions?
The participation of civil society in international forums related to the environment is a principle enshrined in international environmental governance and more than two thirds of IEA members have a legally binding obligation to promote public participation in forums dealing with environmentally related matters.
Notwithstanding our expression of concern, we want to reiterate once again that the Climate Action Network remains open and willing to have a discussion with you and your leadership team and identify ways in which our contributions and presence could be better valued by your organisation.
Yours Sincerely,
