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Q&A with Áine Beattie: Another Warning for Climate Crisis

With urgency, Áine Beattie reflects on the troubling dynamics of last year’s COP29 in Baku, where indigenous voices were silenced, women were underrepresented, and states failed to commit to effective solutions. As WILPF’s first article of 2025, this piece brings forward those critical reflections, emphasising that the climate crisis remains the most pressing issue of our time, demanding immediate and transformative action.

A person with long blonde hair stands smiling. They wear a black jacket and a blue lanyard. The background includes colorful designs with the text COP29 Baku and peace symbols.
Image credit: Young WILPF
Áine Beattie
16 January 2025

How was your experience at the COP29 in Baku?

It felt like there were two conferences going on simultaneously–one of hope, solidarity and positive solutions in the rooms where civil society convened, and another in the rooms where the actual decisions were being made, with the latter not hearing the former. This culminated in disappointing outcomes across the board.

At COP29, I witnessed a pressing need for climate action being met with an unyielding and often actively regressive force, consisting of Global North countries and fossil fuel lobbyists. 

The climate crisis is the most pressing issue of our time. Yet, instead of making history, and providing Global South countries with adequate, flexible, grant-based, and feminist funding, or providing tangible support for gender-sensitive climate initiatives and budgeting, or redirecting military spending towards climate finance, Global North countries continued to silence indigenous voices and refused to accept responsibility for the damage they continue to cause

A person with long blonde hair stands in front of a blue backdrop displaying the text COP29 Baku Azerbaijan. They are wearing a black coat and a blue lanyard.
Áine Beattie in Baku, Azerbaijan

We have been left with bureaucratic inefficiency, entrenched glaring disparities between Global North and Global South countries, and no real progress on tackling a rapidly accelerating climate crisis. Despite this, the resilience and positivity of the fellow advocates I met and worked with during COP29 is proof of the inspiring and transformative work that can be done. Remaining united in solidarity for feminist and climate justice has never been more important. 

The atmosphere became increasingly frustrated throughout Week 1 as negotiations grew more tense and demands continued to be ignored or deferred. The simmering tension throughout the conference descended into chaos in the final days as the boiling point was reached. Despite this, the solidarity, empathy, and community displayed between civil society organisations allowed for compassion and hope in the most difficult of circumstances. 

Personally, the most impactful moment for me at COP29 was attending a press conference of indigenous Brazilian women, who were calling for urgent action in the Amazon Rainforest and solidarity with women leaders defending and protecting their communities and territories. The strength, grace, and urgency that the women demonstrated was met with a standing ovation in the room. 

However, the dichotomy of indigenous women and other marginalised climate leaders sharing feminist solutions, whilst their very existence was being threatened in high-level closed-door discussions just down the corridor, was stark. Despite these advocates being at COP29 and sharing their experiences with sympathetic people, their calls continued to fall on deaf ears, as those who really needed to hear their voices were not listening. 

What lessons did you take from the conference?

At COP29, I saw first-hand a clear disconnect between the civil society space and the Party negotiations. Within civil society, the intersection of gender equality, peace, and climate justice was constantly addressed. Yet in the negotiation rooms and during high-level meetings, it was a completely different picture. For example, in the Gender Consultations regarding the New Lima Work Programme, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and other countries vehemently rejected any mention of intersectionality and gender diversity in the draft text, which led to major delays.

During the conference, I learnt that women’s leadership in climate spaces is now, more than ever, imperative. Yet women’s voices, especially those from communities living in marginalised situations, were not adequately represented. Statistically, 8 of the 78 world leaders participating in COP were women. UN Women shared that only 6 out of these leaders mentioned the impact of climate change on women and girls. 4 out of those 6 were women. The continued underrepresentation of women leaders at COP29 is worrying, disappointing, and simply not good enough. Women are powerful agents of change, and their inclusion at decision making level locally, nationally, and globally, is crucial. As a representative from Chad stated, “If you invest in women, you invest in the society”. Achieving gender parity in climate negotiations and integrating gender equality into climate initiatives will create more just and sustainable climate solutions.

What is it like to be an activist for climate justice today? 

A group of people stand together indoors holding signs advocating for peace and climate justice. Two prominent banners read Peace for Climate Justice and Ceasefire Now. The backdrop features the message In Solidarity for a Green World.

The experience of being a climate activist today is context dependent. I recognise my privilege as a white, educated, woman from Scotland, who can advocate without fear of government retaliation. The security I enjoy in my home country is not unanimous. This was especially evident in Azerbaijan, where there is an appalling human rights record. Local advocates face oppressive laws, torture, discrimination, prison, and even death. Prior to COP29, Azerbaijani authorities prosecuted over a dozen journalists and activists, and imprisoned key climate justice advocates. Azerbaijan’s own civil society’s participation was strictly limited at COP29 due to these threats, yet the brave local activists who did attend played a vital role in advocating for ambitious targets.  

I believe that the political climate that WILPF is working in globally is becoming increasingly difficult. The disappointing outcomes from COP29, combined with the deeply worrying push back from numerous Parties against making a genuine commitment to gender equality, is indicative of the wider global increase in misogyny. These movements are deeply connected to the entrenched systems of patriarchy and militarism that are exacerbating the climate crisis and gender inequalities. 

What is your message for other young WILPFers?

Climate and intersectional feminist action starts with each of us. Together, as feminists, we can be powerful agents of change, advancing demilitarisation and gender equality. We must listen to the indigenous voices of those on the frontline – they hold the expert solutions we need going forward. We cannot wait for the political climate to get better. We need to build momentum wherever we can at local, national, and international level. Although it may feel hopeless, or overwhelming at first, remember that doing something is better than nothing!

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A person with long blonde hair wearing a black top and blazer stands in front of a yellow background. They have a blue lanyard around their neck and are smiling.
Áine Beattie

Áine Beattie is a motivated intersectional feminist from the Scottish Highlands, particularly passionate about the gendered impacts of climate change and militarism. She has been the WILPF Scottish Branch Secretary since June 2023 and has represented WILPF at the UN in Vienna at PrepCom and New York at 2MSP. She is a Trustee of a young women’s leadership organisation and is dedicated to championing feminist peace in Scotland and beyond.

Matt Mahmoudi

Matt Mahmoudi (he/him) is a lecturer, researcher, and organizer. He’s been leading the “Ban the Scan” campaign, Amnesty International’s research and advocacy efforts on banning facial recognition technologies and exposing their uses against racialized communities, from New York City to the occupied Palestinian territories.

Berit Aasen

Europe Alternate Regional Representative

Berit Aasen is a sociologist by training and has worked at the OsloMet Metropolitan University on Oslo. She has 40 years of experience in research and consultancy in development studies, including women, peace, and security, and in later years in asylum and refugee studies. Berit Aasen joined WILPF Norway five years ago. She is an alternate member of the National Board of WILPF Norway, and representing WILPF Norway in the UN Association of Norway, the Norwegian 1325 network and the Norwegian Women’s Lobby. Berit Aasen has been active in the WILPF European Liaison group and is committed to strengthening WILPF sections and membership both in Europe and relations across continents.

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Melissa Torres

VICE-PRESIDENT

Prior to being elected Vice-President, Melissa Torres was the WILPF US International Board Member from 2015 to 2018. Melissa joined WILPF in 2011 when she was selected as a Delegate to the Commission on the Status of Women as part of the WILPF US’ Practicum in Advocacy Programme at the United Nations, which she later led. She holds a PhD in Social Work and is a professor and Global Health Scholar at Baylor College of Medicine and research lead at BCM Anti-Human Trafficking Program. Of Mexican descent and a native of the US/Mexico border, Melissa is mostly concerned with the protection of displaced Latinxs in the Americas. Her work includes training, research, and service provision with the American Red Cross, the National Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Centre, and refugee resettlement programs in the U.S. Some of her goals as Vice-President are to highlight intersectionality and increase diversity by fostering inclusive spaces for mentorship and leadership. She also contributes to WILPF’s emerging work on the topic of displacement and migration.

Jamila Afghani

VICE-PRESIDENT

Jamila Afghani is the President of WILPF Afghanistan which she started in 2015. She is also an active member and founder of several organisations including the Noor Educational and Capacity Development Organisation (NECDO). Elected in 2018 as South Asia Regional Representative to WILPF’s International Board, WILPF benefits from Jamila’s work experience in education, migration, gender, including gender-based violence and democratic governance in post-conflict and transitional countries.

A woman in a blue, black, and white dress smiles radiantly in front of a leafy green background.

Sylvie Jacqueline Ndongmo

PRESIDENT

Sylvie Jacqueline NDONGMO is a human rights and peace leader with over 27 years experience including ten within WILPF. She has a multi-disciplinary background with a track record of multiple socio-economic development projects implemented to improve policies, practices and peace-oriented actions. Sylvie is the founder of WILPF Cameroon and was the Section’s president until 2022. She co-coordinated the African Working Group before her election as Africa Representative to WILPF’s International Board in 2018. A teacher by profession and an African Union Trainer in peace support operations, Sylvie has extensive experience advocating for the political and social rights of women in Africa and worldwide.

WILPF Afghanistan

In response to the takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban and its targeted attacks on civil society members, WILPF Afghanistan issued several statements calling on the international community to stand in solidarity with Afghan people and ensure that their rights be upheld, including access to aid. The Section also published 100 Untold Stories of War and Peace, a compilation of true stories that highlight the effects of war and militarisation on the region. 

IPB Congress Barcelona

WILPF Germany (+Young WILPF network), WILPF Spain and MENA Regional Representative

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Demilitarisation

WILPF uses feminist analysis to argue that militarisation is a counter-productive and ill-conceived response to establishing security in the world. The more society becomes militarised, the more violence and injustice are likely to grow locally and worldwide.

Sixteen states are believed to have supplied weapons to Afghanistan from 2001 to 2020 with the US supplying 74 % of weapons, followed by Russia. Much of this equipment was left behind by the US military and is being used to inflate Taliban’s arsenal. WILPF is calling for better oversight on arms movement, for compensating affected Afghan people and for an end to all militarised systems.

Militarised masculinity

Mobilising men and boys around feminist peace has been one way of deconstructing and redefining masculinities. WILPF shares a feminist analysis on the links between militarism, masculinities, peace and security. We explore opportunities for strengthening activists’ action to build equal partnerships among women and men for gender equality.

WILPF has been working on challenging the prevailing notion of masculinity based on men’s physical and social superiority to, and dominance of, women in Afghanistan. It recognizes that these notions are not representative of all Afghan men, contrary to the publicly prevailing notion.

Feminist peace​

In WILPF’s view, any process towards establishing peace that has not been partly designed by women remains deficient. Beyond bringing perspectives that encapsulate the views of half of the society and unlike the men only designed processes, women’s true and meaningful participation allows the situation to improve.

In Afghanistan, WILPF has been demanding that women occupy the front seats at the negotiating tables. The experience of the past 20 has shown that women’s presence produces more sustainable solutions when they are empowered and enabled to play a role.