'A constant battle on what we can say': Activists say they feel stifled by COP29 rules

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🗞️ Driving the news: Activists at COP29 in Baku express frustration over restricted protest rules, limiting demonstrations to specific areas and imposing strict speech guidelines
• Despite creative efforts like a "Pay Up" banner and symbolic art, many feel stifled compared to past COPs, which allowed large-scale public marches
• The UNFCCC asserts that protest spaces comply with safety and legal requirements

🔭 The context: Restrictions on protests have intensified in recent years, especially at COPs hosted in nations with limited civil liberties
• Activists are now prohibited from naming specific countries or businesses, leading to inventive protest strategies like symbolic banners and artistic demonstrations
• This year’s focus on climate finance amplifies tensions as activists aim to spotlight Global South demands

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Activists play a vital role in holding negotiators accountable and amplifying voices from marginalized communities, crucial for equitable climate action
• Restrictions on protests risk muting demands for justice and accountability, especially during critical climate finance discussions

⏭️ What's next: Activist groups plan to persist despite growing limitations, using creative methods to convey their messages at COP30 and beyond
• Calls for expanded civic spaces and less restrictive protest rules will likely intensify, reflecting broader debates on inclusion in climate negotiations

💬 One quote: “We do feel that the restrictions have reached a stage where it’s a constant battle on what we can say,” - Rachitaa Gupta, coordinator for a global climate justice network

📈 One stat: At COP29, over 1,700 oil and gas lobbyists were registered, surpassing the number of delegates from almost every Global South country, highlighting the challenges activists face in promoting climate justice against entrenched industry interests

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