Thread by @brandoncwu

Already seeing articles blaming India for #COP26 "phase down" instead of "out" coal language. REALLY important to see full context here. The problem is not India; the problem is the US & rich countries refusing to couch fossil fuel phaseout in the context of global equity. 🧵

The text targets "unabated coal power and inefficient fossil fuel subsidies" which leaves GIANT loopholes for CCS (and "efficient" FF subsidies) as well as leaving out oil & gas entirely. India earlier suggested that it address ALL fossil fuels in an equitable manner. #COP26

But an equitable fossil fuel phaseout would place most of the burden squarely on the US and rich countries, as we show in this year's CSO Equity Review report. This would be unacceptable to Biden administration negotiators. civilsocietyreview.org #COP26

Instead, the #COP26 existing language has heavy implications for developing countries like India and tons of loopholes for the continuation of US fossil fuel activities (note of course that Biden has refused to shut down new FF infrastructure like Line 3).

When India called out this inequity, they were portrayed as obstructionists blocking the first-ever mention of fossil fuels in #UNFCCC text. This is a bad victim-blaming take that serves US interests. #COP26

The US is exceptionally good at spinning the media so they're portrayed as "climate leaders" without actually committing to ANYTHING - then placing blame on developing countries instead. This is a perfect example & journos are already falling for it actionaidusa.org/news/fossil-fu… #COP26

Highly recommend this year's CSO Equity Review on a globally just fossil fuel phaseout, which shows (1) country fair shares of climate action - US falls way short; (2) how & why countries should phase out FF on different timelines, some w/intl support. civilsocietyreview.org/report2021/

Of course no govt is a paragon of virtue. Our friends in developing countries fight tooth & nail to get their govts to do better. But finger-pointing at poorer countries w/o a word on Northern climate colonialism is a bad problem definition that leads to bad & unjust solutions.