Communities Worldwide Draw the Line: Fossil Fuel Phase-Out and the Push for Renewables

From Belem to Nairobi, activists demand a fast and fair transition to renewable energy ahead of COP30.

By Moraa Nyangorora

Movements in 93 countries are uniting under the banner, Draw the Line to demand an end to fossil fuel expansion, pushing for a just transition.

A press release "Movements Worldwide Draw the Line Against Genocide,Injustice,Fossil Fuels, and Call for Rights,Jobs and Justice" (issued 15 September 2025), protestors are demanding " a feminist, fast, fair, funded and forever phase out of fossil fuels, investment in renewable energy, and resilient food systems"

Anne Jellema, Chief Executive of 350.org, put it bluntly:

“This mobilisation is about power, people power. The power to reject the lies of fossil fuel billionaires and remake our world for the many, not the few. We are drawing the line, because when governments fail to act, we rise”.

This unity by communities around the globe adds impetus to climate change efforts.

The timing is significant , as the U.S, one of the largest and leading historical emitters pulled back from international climate commitments.

People taking the lead under this movement, may just be the pressure needed to end fossil fuel.

Thousands of actions are planned across the globe including strikes, festivals, marches and cultural events.

The movement has people mobilised from across cities namely Johannesburg, New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Karachi,New York, Nairobi, Lahore, Paris, Berlin, Jakarta, Tokyo, Dhaka, Manila, Cotonou, Ottawa, Melbourne, Suva, London and Belem

For Global South leaders, the U.S disengagement deepens the urgency for reparations. Dr Arjun Kumar Karki of Rural Reconstruction Nepal reinforces this reality.

"We demand the full delivery of climate finance obligations of the global North for urgent climate action including Just Transition. This is crucial part of their reparations for historical and continuing harm to our people."

The movement are opposed to false technological fixes that powerful states are promoting in place of real commitments.

The rallying call from participating countries is urgent action to protect the planet . Taseneem Essop, the Executive Director described the climate situation a crisis that must be tackled to save the masses suffering from global effects of carbon emission.

"A global movement of movements is rising up to respond to the moment with the launch of this action. Youth, women, communities across our ravaged planet are drawing the line against those fighting to keep us locked in a world of pollution, exploitation, wars and injustice".

SOLUTIONS IN MOTION

Indigenous-led solar micro grids in the Amazon.

Wind cooperatives among fisherfolk in Asia.

Biogas innovations by African smallholder farmers.

"This is not just a protest, it is a global movement for liberation. We demand a system change rooted in justice led by the people and communities."

The statement by the movement read.

 “From Fossiles: The 4 Steps of a Just Transition”

Phase Out Fossil Fuels

Scale Up Renewables

Fund Climate Action

Create Green Jobs