Letter to all Governments in Asia
We are organizations and movements working for climate justice writing to urge you to commit to ending all coal in Asia before or by 2035 by immediately stopping all new coal projects and implementing a rapid, equitable, and just phase-out of existing coal.
The Paris Agreement aims to limit global temperature increases to 1.5C relative to pre-industrial levels to preserve a livable planet. The rapid phase-out of coal, the single biggest source of global temperature increase, is crucial. The Paris Agreement requires coal phase-out by 2030 in the OECD countries and the rest of the world before 2040.
A few years ago, the world made major strides in eradicating coal use and production in response to the climate crisis. Changes in the global pipeline of proposed coal power plants showed a 76% collapse in coal construction from 2015 to 2021. Today, global coal use and capacity have rebounded, growing to an all-time high in 2023, driven by strong demand in Asian countries. Total global capacity in pre-construction has also increased, with countries in Asia collectively accounting for the majority of these projects. We are likewise alarmed that less coal retirement is happening. Coal power plant retirements globally were at the lowest level since 2011.
We deplore the continued support of rich countries for the expansion of coal in Asia. The world’s top commercial banks mainly responsible for the global flow of funds for new coal in Asia and other regions are headquartered in countries like the US, Canada and the UK – countries that boast of no new coal within their borders. At the same time, we are alarmed that major Asian banks are playing a significant role in coal expansion in the region. These banks, which have weak or non-existent coal exclusion policies, leave the door open for coal investments and serve as regional and domestic financiers for coal expansion.
Further, we demand the rapid and just phase-out of existing coal to be completed by 2035 with developed countries who have invested heavily in coal in Asia like Japan to have an earlier phase-out date by 2030. The phase-out program should include:
The immediate retirement of very old coal plants. These old plants are more highly polluting. Not only have the investments in these plants been recovered, but the plants have already generated a lot of profits
The permanent shutdown of mothballed plants. These plants are not contributing to current demand anyway.
Early closure commitments for all existing coal plants. Currently, some 75% (1,626 GW) of global operating capacity is not covered by a coal closure commitment and the majority are in Asia.
Coal is obsolete. It is not true that we have little choice but to continue generating power with coal to meet increasing demand. Renewables, specifically wind and solar, have become the cheapest sources of electricity everywhere. Coal developers risk billions worth of stranded assets as renewables outcompete coal worldwide. In 2023, according to the report of the International Energy Agency (IEA), an estimated 96% of newly installed, utility-scale solar PV and onshore wind capacity had lower generation costs than new coal and gas plants, while three-quarters of new wind and solar PV plants offered cheaper power than existing fossil fuel facilities.
The rapid transition to renewables is not only crucial for stopping climate change, it will also make energy more affordable, accessible and fairer. IEA projections show that rapid clean energy transitions will lower consumer bills by 2035 in advanced economies and by 2050 in emerging and developing economies. In Asia, where millions remain without access to electricity and billions use fossil fuels for heating and cooking, the transition to renewable energy is essential to energy access and security. Phasing out fossil fuel subsidies and shifting finance to the clean energy transition will make clean, renewable technologies more accessible in emerging and developing economies.
Signed:
ASIAN REGIONAL NETWORKS
Asian Peoples’ Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD)
Focus on the Global South
Greenpeace Southeast Asia
South Asia Alliance for Poverty Eradication (SAAPE)
350.org Asia
BANGLADESH
Amra Klaparabashi (Patuakhali Power Plant)
Bangladesh Adivasi Samity
Bangladesh Bacolight Shramik Federation
Bangladesh Bhasaman Nari Shramik
Bangladesh Bhasaman Shramik Union
Bangladesh Bhumiheen Samity
Bangladesh Chattra Sabha
Bangladesh Jatyo Shramik Federation
Bangladesh Krishok Federation
Bangladesh Rural Intellectuals’ Front
Bangladesh Sangjukto Shramik Federation
Bangladesh Shramik Federation
Centre for Energy Research, United International University
Center for Participatory Research and Development-CPRD
Charbangla Bittoheen Samobay Samity
COAST Foundation
Dhoritri Rokhhay Amra (DHORA)
Emarat Nirman Shramik Bangladesh
EquityBD
Ganochhaya Sanskritic Kendra
In Taltoli (Barishal Power Plant)
Jago Bangladesh. Garment Workers’ Federation
Kohelia Matshojibi Samity
Motherland Garment Workers’ Federation
Nalbunia Matsajibi
Pasur River Waterkeepers
Ready Made Garment Workers’ Federation
Save Nature Save Life
SDG Action Alliance- NRDS
Sundarban Rakkhay Amra
Tetulbaria Matsajibi Samity
Upokulio Mukto Rovar Scouts Group
Waterkeepers Bangladesh
Youth4NDCs
350.org Bangladesh
INDIA
Aadarsh Nagar Hawker Union
Adivasi Ekta Parishad
Akhil Bhartiya Adivasi Mahasabha
All Arunachal Street Vendors Association
All India Women Hakwers Federation
Anchalic Suraksha Committee
Bagaicha Social Centre
Bhagirathi Palace Hawker Union
Bunglow Road Jawahar Nagar Hawker Union
Centre for Financial Accountability
Chandni Chowk Hawker Union
Dr. Ambedkar Lok Uthan Kendra
Dwarkesh Market vendors Union Rajasmand
Ekata Hawkers union, Maharashtra
Footpath dukandar redipatri union, Ranchi
Fruit and Vegetable Sellers Union, Jaipur
Goa Foundation
GTB Nagar Hawker Union
Hawkers Sangram Samiti
Heritage city thadi thela Union Jaipur
Himalaya Niti Abhiyan
India Gate Hawker Union
Indian Social Action Forum
Jaipur Pink City Street Vendors Association, Jaipu
Jan Chetnna Manch
Kamgar Ekata Union, Maharashtra
Kolkata Men Hawkers Union
Lal Quila Hawker Union
Lohiya Vichar munch Hawkers Union, Mumbai
Maharashtra Kantri Hawkers Mahasangh, Pune
Majnu Ka Tila Hawker Union
Mineral Inheritors Rights Association
Mines Minerals and People
Mirzapur Street Vendors Union
Nadi Ghati Morcha
National Hawker Federation
Nikhila Utral Khudra Bebasai & Vendingzone Mahasangha
People For Himalayan Development
Prasar
Reach Law
Redi pateri Hakwers Union, Alahabad
Rehdi Patri Ekta Manch
Revanchal Dalit Adivasi Sewa Samiti
Road side vendors association, Imphal
Sahid bhagatsingh Hakwers Union, Aurangabad
Samata
SETU: Centre for Social Knowledge and Action
Shahpura Vegetable Vendors Union, Mukherjee Chauk, Udaipur
Street Vendors Union, Durgapur
Swadesh Gramotthan Samiti
Thela Vyavsayi Ekta Union
Venella Rural Development
Citizens Welfare Association Chairperson, CSNEHA Foundation
Fight for Inequality Alliance – India
Forum for Gramsabha
Meena Bazar Hawker Association
Narayan Singh Uikey Adivasi Vikash Samiti
People for Himalayan Development
Rainbow Warrior
Ulgulan Manch
Paryavaran Sanrakshan Samiti
INDONESIA
Aksi! For Gender, Social And Ecological Justice
Signed:
ASIAN REGIONAL NETWORKS
Asian Peoples’ Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD)
Focus on the Global South
Greenpeace Southeast Asia
South Asia Alliance for Poverty Eradication (SAAPE)
350.org Asia
BANGLADESH
Amra Klaparabashi (Patuakhali Power Plant)
Bangladesh Adivasi Samity
Bangladesh Bacolight Shramik Federation
Bangladesh Bhasaman Nari Shramik
Bangladesh Bhasaman Shramik Union
Bangladesh Bhumiheen Samity
Bangladesh Chattra Sabha
Bangladesh Jatyo Shramik Federation
Bangladesh Krishok Federation
Bangladesh Rural Intellectuals’ Front
Bangladesh Sangjukto Shramik Federation
Bangladesh Shramik Federation
Centre for Energy Research, United International University
Center for Participatory Research and Development-CPRD
Charbangla Bittoheen Samobay Samity
COAST Foundation
Dhoritri Rokhhay Amra (DHORA)
Emarat Nirman Shramik Bangladesh
EquityBD
Ganochhaya Sanskritic Kendra
In Taltoli (Barishal Power Plant)
Jago Bangladesh. Garment Workers’ Federation
Kohelia Matshojibi Samity
Motherland Garment Workers’ Federation
Nalbunia Matsajibi
Pasur River Waterkeepers
Ready Made Garment Workers’ Federation
Save Nature Save Life
SDG Action Alliance- NRDS
Sundarban Rakkhay Amra
Tetulbaria Matsajibi Samity
Upokulio Mukto Rovar Scouts Group
Waterkeepers Bangladesh
Youth4NDCs
350.org Bangladesh
INDIA
Aadarsh Nagar Hawker Union
Adivasi Ekta Parishad
Akhil Bhartiya Adivasi Mahasabha
All Arunachal Street Vendors Association
All India Women Hakwers Federation
Anchalic Suraksha Committee
Bagaicha Social Centre
Bhagirathi Palace Hawker Union
Bunglow Road Jawahar Nagar Hawker Union
Centre for Financial Accountability
Chandni Chowk Hawker Union
Dr. Ambedkar Lok Uthan Kendra
Dwarkesh Market vendors Union Rajasmand
Ekata Hawkers union, Maharashtra
Footpath dukandar redipatri union, Ranchi
Fruit and Vegetable Sellers Union, Jaipur
Goa Foundation
GTB Nagar Hawker Union
Hawkers Sangram Samiti
Heritage city thadi thela Union Jaipur
Himalaya Niti Abhiyan
India Gate Hawker Union
Indian Social Action Forum
Jaipur Pink City Street Vendors Association, Jaipu
Jan Chetnna Manch
Kamgar Ekata Union, Maharashtra
Kolkata Men Hawkers Union
Lal Quila Hawker Union
Lohiya Vichar munch Hawkers Union, Mumbai
Maharashtra Kantri Hawkers Mahasangh, Pune
Majnu Ka Tila Hawker Union
Mineral Inheritors Rights Association
Mines Minerals and People
Mirzapur Street Vendors Union
Nadi Ghati Morcha
National Hawker Federation
Nikhila Utral Khudra Bebasai & Vendingzone Mahasangha
People For Himalayan Development
Prasar
Reach Law
Redi pateri Hakwers Union, Alahabad
Rehdi Patri Ekta Manch
Revanchal Dalit Adivasi Sewa Samiti
Road side vendors association, Imphal
Sahid bhagatsingh Hakwers Union, Aurangabad
Samata
SETU: Centre for Social Knowledge and Action
Shahpura Vegetable Vendors Union, Mukherjee Chauk, Udaipur
Street Vendors Union, Durgapur
Swadesh Gramotthan Samiti
Thela Vyavsayi Ekta Union
Venella Rural Development
Citizens Welfare Association Chairperson, CSNEHA Foundation
Fight for Inequality Alliance – India
Forum for Gramsabha
Meena Bazar Hawker Association
Narayan Singh Uikey Adivasi Vikash Samiti
People for Himalayan Development
Rainbow Warrior
Ulgulan Manch
Paryavaran Sanrakshan Samiti
INDONESIA
Aksi! For Gender, Social And Ecological Justice
Signed:
ASIAN REGIONAL NETWORKS
Asian Peoples’ Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD)
Focus on the Global South
Greenpeace Southeast Asia
South Asia Alliance for Poverty Eradication (SAAPE)
350.org Asia
BANGLADESH
Amra Klaparabashi (Patuakhali Power Plant)
Bangladesh Adivasi Samity
Bangladesh Bacolight Shramik Federation
Bangladesh Bhasaman Nari Shramik
Bangladesh Bhasaman Shramik Union
Bangladesh Bhumiheen Samity
Bangladesh Chattra Sabha
Bangladesh Jatyo Shramik Federation
Bangladesh Krishok Federation
Bangladesh Rural Intellectuals’ Front
Bangladesh Sangjukto Shramik Federation
Bangladesh Shramik Federation
Centre for Energy Research, United International University
Center for Participatory Research and Development-CPRD
Charbangla Bittoheen Samobay Samity
COAST Foundation
Dhoritri Rokhhay Amra (DHORA)
Emarat Nirman Shramik Bangladesh
EquityBD
Ganochhaya Sanskritic Kendra
In Taltoli (Barishal Power Plant)
Jago Bangladesh. Garment Workers’ Federation
Kohelia Matshojibi Samity
Motherland Garment Workers’ Federation
Nalbunia Matsajibi
Pasur River Waterkeepers
Ready Made Garment Workers’ Federation
Save Nature Save Life
SDG Action Alliance- NRDS
Sundarban Rakkhay Amra
Tetulbaria Matsajibi Samity
Upokulio Mukto Rovar Scouts Group
Waterkeepers Bangladesh
Youth4NDCs
350.org Bangladesh
INDIA
Aadarsh Nagar Hawker Union
Adivasi Ekta Parishad
Akhil Bhartiya Adivasi Mahasabha
All Arunachal Street Vendors Association
All India Women Hakwers Federation
Anchalic Suraksha Committee
Bagaicha Social Centre
Bhagirathi Palace Hawker Union
Bunglow Road Jawahar Nagar Hawker Union
Centre for Financial Accountability
Chandni Chowk Hawker Union
Dr. Ambedkar Lok Uthan Kendra
Dwarkesh Market vendors Union Rajasmand
Ekata Hawkers union, Maharashtra
Footpath dukandar redipatri union, Ranchi
Fruit and Vegetable Sellers Union, Jaipur
Goa Foundation
GTB Nagar Hawker Union
Hawkers Sangram Samiti
Heritage city thadi thela Union Jaipur
Himalaya Niti Abhiyan
India Gate Hawker Union
Indian Social Action Forum
Jaipur Pink City Street Vendors Association, Jaipu
Jan Chetnna Manch
Kamgar Ekata Union, Maharashtra
Kolkata Men Hawkers Union
Lal Quila Hawker Union
Lohiya Vichar munch Hawkers Union, Mumbai
Maharashtra Kantri Hawkers Mahasangh, Pune
Majnu Ka Tila Hawker Union
Mineral Inheritors Rights Association
Mines Minerals and People
Mirzapur Street Vendors Union
Nadi Ghati Morcha
National Hawker Federation
Nikhila Utral Khudra Bebasai & Vendingzone Mahasangha
People For Himalayan Development
Prasar
Reach Law
Redi pateri Hakwers Union, Alahabad
Rehdi Patri Ekta Manch
Revanchal Dalit Adivasi Sewa Samiti
Road side vendors association, Imphal
Sahid bhagatsingh Hakwers Union, Aurangabad
Samata
SETU: Centre for Social Knowledge and Action
Shahpura Vegetable Vendors Union, Mukherjee Chauk, Udaipur
Street Vendors Union, Durgapur
Swadesh Gramotthan Samiti
Thela Vyavsayi Ekta Union
Venella Rural Development
Citizens Welfare Association Chairperson, CSNEHA Foundation
Fight for Inequality Alliance – India
Forum for Gramsabha
Meena Bazar Hawker Association
Narayan Singh Uikey Adivasi Vikash Samiti
People for Himalayan Development
Rainbow Warrior
Ulgulan Manch
Paryavaran Sanrakshan Samiti
INDONESIA
Aksi! For Gender, Social And Ecological Justice
Aksi Ekologi & Emansipasi Rakyat (AEER)
Auriga Nusantara
FOSNU Probolinggo
Gema Alam NTB
KRuHA (People’s Coalition for the Right to Water)
Pilar Perjuangan Nelayan
Publish What You Pay (PWYP) Indonesia
Riung Hijau
Sabda Alam Banten
Serikat Nelayan Indonesia
Serikat Perempuan Sunggal (SPS)
Solidaritas Perempuan
Suluh Muda Inisiatif
Trend Asia
WALHI
Yayasan Mitra Insani
350.org Indonesia
JAPAN
Friends of the Earth Japan
Japan Center for a Sustainable Environment and Society (JACSES)
Kiko Network
Mekong Watch
350.org Japan
MALAYSIA
Climate Action Network Southeast Asia (CANSEA)
Monitoring Sustainability of Globalisation
MYANMAR
Karen Environmental and Social Action Network (KESAN)
NEPAL
All Nepal Peasants’ Federation (ANPFa)
Digo Bikas Institute
Human Rights Alliance
Jagaran Nepal
Rural Reconstruction Nepal (RRN)
The General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions (GEFONT)
Trade Union Policy Institute (TUPI)
PAKISTAN
Akhuwat Kissan
Alternative Law Collective
Alliance for Climate Justice and Clean Energy (ACJCE)
Anjuman e Muzareen e Punjab
ASR Resource Center
Beaconhouse National Uni
Cholistan Development Council
Clean and Green Khai
Climate Activists Collective
Community Developers Association (CDA)
Community Initiatives for Development Pakistan (CIDP)
Crofter Foundation
Feminist Collective Pakistan
Gilgit-Baltistan Social Welfare Organization
Haqooq e Khalq Movement
Home Net Pakistan
Indus Consortium
Kissan Ikkat
Kissan Karkeela
Kissan Ravi Club
Labour Education Foundation
Labour Qomi Movement
Lok Sujag
PakAid
Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum
Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (PILER)
Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee (PKRC)
Policy Research Institute for Equitable Development (PRIED)
Progressive Student’s Collective
Sanga
Sawera Foundation
Sindh Hari Porchat Council
South Asia Partnership Pakistan
Sukaar Welfare Organization
Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI
Tameer e Nau Women’s Worker Organization
Textile Powerloom Garments Workers Federation
Vision Building Future
Visionary Forum
Young Reformers
PHILIPPINES
Angat-GenC – Generation Climate
Aniban ng Mangagawa sa Agrikultura (AMA)
Atimonan Power for People
Bantay Kita – PWYP Philippines
Break-free Pilipinas, Break-free from Fossil Gas
Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP-Workers Solidarity)
Camarines Norte Movement for Climate Justice
Concerned Citizens of Sta. Cruz, Zambales
Constantino Foundation
Gitib, Inc.
Kilusan para sa Kabuhayan, Kalusugan, Kalikasan at Katiyakan sa Paninirahan sa Quezon City (K4K)
Koalisyon Isalbar ti Pintas ti La Union (Coalition to Save the Beauty of La Union)
Kongreso ng Pagkakaisa ng Maralita ng Lungsod (KPML)
Limpyong Hanging para sa Kaugmanon sa Tanan (Clean Air for ALL)
Living Laudato Si’ Philippines
Oriang Women’s Movement Inc.
Partido Lakas ng Masa (PLM)
Philippine Movement For Climate Justice (PMCJ)
PMCJ- Cebu
PMCJ- Davao
Piglas- Batangas
People of Asia for Climate Solutions
Sanlakas
Task Force Detainees of the Philippines
350 Pilipinas
SRI LANKA
Centre for Environmental Justice
TAIWAN
350 Taiwan
THAILAND
Climate Watch Thailand
Greenpeace Thailand
TIMOR-LESTE
Core Group Transparency/PWYP Timor-Leste (CGT/PWYP-TL)
La’o Hamutuk – Timor-Leste Institute for Development Monitoring and Analysis
ENDORSED BY INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND NETWORKS
Big Shift Global
Fundación Chile Sustentable, Chile
Urgewald, Germany
Equidad de Género: Ciudadanía, Trabajo y Familia
Publish What You Pay
Oil Change International
LDC Watch
Campaign of campaigns