Inside Anti-COP 2024: Where the Real Climate Talk Happens

Let’s be honest: the COPs (which stands for “Conference of the Parties”) are about as effective at achieving action to safeguard our planet and its inhabitants as a raincoat in a wildfire, and since COP 28, wildfires across the world have only worsened in intensity and frequency. Further proving that the institutions we depend on for change just aren’t getting the job done. 

When it comes to climate and environmental justice, the real change is happening outside the mainstream conference halls. 

Keen to be part of meaningful conversations about the planet that centre the voices of those most impacted by environmental injustice and the climate crisis, representatives from TIERRA attended Anti-COP 2024. The event was independently organised by a broad coalition of grass-roots organisations, climate activists, and Indigenous communities from across Mexico and the world, and took place over a week, prior to the Climate Change COP 29.

This independently organised event brought together people from movements across the globe, representing regions from Kurdistan and the ABC Islands in the Caribbean to Western Papua and Western Sahara, all united by the shared goal of tackling environmental degradation and the climate crisis from the ground up.

Anti-COP 2024 was structured around four core themes: (1) the link between mega-projects, militarization, and the climate crisis; (2) forced displacement due to armed conflict, organised crime, and environmental changes; (3) the monitoring and monetization of life; and (4) the global water crisis. Each of these pillars highlighted systemic issues often sidelined at the COP.

Over six transformative days, attendees built international solidarity, mapped out collective dreams for a just future, and strategized actionable steps toward a world where everyone can thrive with dignity. By the end of the event, participants had collectively developed a roadmap for collaborative, community-led climate action. Plans are already underway to reconvene at Anti-COP 2025, building on these discussions to drive sustained, people-powered change.

Events like Anti-COP are essential for centering those most affected by the climate and environmental crisis, who are often sidelined at mainstream COPs. In theory, countries in the Global North and South have equal say at COPs; in practice, however, powerful Global North nations and companies continue to dominate decision-making. Given their disproportionate role in causing environmental harm, should these countries wield equal influence in climate negotiations? Even when Global South countries participate, their delegates often prioritise economic growth over the needs of the people, particularly the communities most impacted by climate change and environmental degradation.

These groups are typically given “observer” status, effectively side-lining their voices from the decision-making process. So, whilst COPs claim to amplify Global Majority voices, the reality is different. Such events frequently tokenize marginalised individuals rather than genuinely centering their leadership. After all, the decision-makers at COPs represent colonial, capitalist, hetero-patriarchal, and neo-liberal interests, systems that perpetuate harm rather than fostering healing and solidarity.

Anti-COP 2024 stands as a powerful example of how climate justice can be pursued on more equitable, inclusive terms, spotlighting voices too often ignored in mainstream environmental discourse. It’s also a strong reminder that we don’t have to wait for our governments to create space for us, we have the power to carve out that space ourselves and set a path toward a just future.