MEDIA ADISORY

Press conference: Youth urges leaders to phase-out fossil fuels and transition to a Paris-aligned food system

Media Contacts:

At COP29:

Lena Schilling Member of the European Parliament [email protected], +32494342221

Janmejai Tiwari, Secretary-General from Global Young Greens
[email protected], +919557782168

Enric Noguera, Plant Based Treaty Europe
[email protected], +34 608 779 005

Steven George, Independent, [email protected], +31 648072566

Offsite:
Global: [email protected]
North America: Anita Krajnc, global campaign coordinator, +14168256080, [email protected]
UK: Nicola Harris, communications director, +447597514343, [email protected]

Media Contacts:

At COP29:

Lena Schilling Member of the European Parliament [email protected], +32494342221

Janmejai Tiwari, Secretary-General from Global Young Greens
[email protected], +919557782168

Enric Noguera, Plant Based Treaty Europe
[email protected], +34 608 779 005

Steven George, Independent
[email protected], +31 648072566

Offsite:
Global: [email protected]
North America: Anita Krajnc, global campaign coordinator, +14168256080, [email protected]
UK: Nicola Harris, communications director, +447597514343, [email protected]

Press releases during COP29: www.plantbasedtreaty.org/press

Press Conference:

Date: Friday 22nd November
Time: 2pm (AST)
Location: Press Conference – Natavan, Area D

Photos: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1QyVji2i3HZu9J42bbXwQNafXm7Qn5bEm 

November 20, Baku — Energy and food systems are major drivers of the climate crisis, and both systems must be addressed in equal measure to avoid a climate catastrophe. MEP Lena Schilling, Global Young Greens, and Plant Based Treaty will deliver a joint press conference on November 22nd to highlight the disproportionate impact of fossil fuels and animal agriculture on the climate crisis and the solutions and finance needed to reach the 1.5C target of the Paris Agreement.

MEP Lena Schilling’s demand for COP29:
Lena Schilling MEP said:

“While people suffer worldwide, the largest oil and gas companies make yearly profits that far exceed the amount needed in the global south to adapt to and fight the climate crisis. It’s time to make those who profit from our planet’s destruction pay for the damage they have caused for generations.”

Plant Based Treaty’s demand for COP29:

Food policy is 30 years behind energy. Plant Based Treaty will highlight solutions from their Plant Based Treaty in Action Report and how to redirect resources, finance and public education to support a plant-based transition.

We must start negotiations for a global Plant Based Treaty to add to the UN Paris Climate Agreement to address ⅓ of greenhouse gas emissions from the food systems. It will further protect our planetary boundaries by guiding the human community back to plant-based food systems.

Enric Noguera, European Cities Campaigner at Plant Based Treaty

“Feeding the world and meeting everyone’s needs while staying within the safe operating space of our planetary boundaries is critical to climate action. A Plant Based Treatry can bring everyone together to work on plant-based solutions that protect livelihoods, the planet, and deliver food security.”

Global Young Green’s demand for COP29:

The Global Young Greens will talk about approach systems to derive capital from the massive profits of the fossil fuel industry and how finance from polluters can be accessed to implement  climate solutions. They believe young people should be put at the forefront.

Global Yound Green calls:

• On nation states to ensure a fair, fast, and forever phase out of fossil fuels
• On nation states to ensure a meaningful inclusion of youth organisations in the creation of NDCS

Janmejai Tiwari, Secretary-General from Global Young Greens at Global Young Greens said: “For too long, those least responsible for the climate crisis have borne its heaviest burdens. It’s time to hold big polluters accountable and ensure that those funds reach the most vulnerable communities for adaptation and resilience. As young leaders from across the globe, we demand mechanisms that are fair, transparent, and inclusive—because climate justice is not negotiable, it is essential for our survival.”

Two treaties to save the planet

Plant Based Treaty and Global Young Greens are calling on all governments, from local, to regional, to national, to endorse the Fossi Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty and the Plant Based Treaty to reach an agreement about the phase out of fossil fuels and a transition to a Paris aligned food system.

Background

MEP Lena Schilling
Lena Schilling, born in Vienna in 2001, is an Austrian climate activist and the youngest Member of the European Parliament since 16 July 2024. She became known for her work with Fridays for Future, is also a co-founder of the Austrian Youth Council and organised the occupation of the Lobau Tunnel construction sites. While she was studying political science she published the book ‘Radikale Wende’ in 2022. In the European Parliament, Lena Schilling is a member of the Green Party, fighting for climate and environmental justice, nature conservation and a socially just transport sector.

Global Young Greens
Global Young Greens (GYG) is a growing global organization supporting and consolidating the efforts of young people working towards social justice, ecological sustainability, grassroots democracy and peace. GYG is a joint project of over 90 youth organizations and hundreds of individuals, including the Federation of Young European Greens, Asia Pacific Young Greens Network, Cooperation and Development Network Eastern Europe, Young Volunteers for the Environment and many others. Prior to COP29 the Global Young Greens launched their statement.

Plant Based Treaty
Plant Based Treaty draws inspiration from landmark treaties addressing threats like ozone layer depletion and nuclear weapons. It advocates for a global agreement to align the food system with the Paris Agreement and implement best practices in plant-based food policy at city and institutional levels. The proposed treaty has been endorsed by 30 cities, including Edinburgh, Belfast, Los Angeles and Amsterdam. It has received support from 220,000 individual endorsers, 5 Nobel laureates, 1000+ elected officials, IPCC scientists, and 3500 groups and businesses, including the UK Health Alliance on Climate Change. High-profile celebrity endorsements include Paul, Mary and Stella McCartney, who said: “We believe in justice for animals, the environment and people. That’s why we support the Plant Based Treaty and urge individuals and governments to sign it.”

At a COP29 press conference on 11 November 2024, Plant Based Treaty launched their Plant Based Treaty in Action Report

Steve George, Climate Justice Activist & Earth Observation Engineer
Steve has built a professional career in earth observation and has expanded his role to include work as an independent researcher, writer, speaker, and climate justice activist. Beyond this professional career, he dedicates his personal time to communicating the science of planetary boundaries, earth system tipping points, and earth system stewardship while integrating an intersectional and systems thinking approach into his activism. He is here this year in Baku as an independent advocate, to bring attention to the discourse on food systems and the new paradigm of earth system governance.