Both ENDS and partners at COP31

Why does this matter? Today only about 0.1 per cent of global climate finance goes to initiatives supporting women and the environment, and less than one per cent to youth-led climate action. “Promises about participation are not enough,” says Daan Robben, Both ENDS’ lead on locally led climate finance. “Women-led and community groups need direct, flexible, long-term funding.”

On trade and investment, Fernando Hernandez Espino, Head of Trade and Investment Policy at Both ENDS, points to the gap between what climate justice demands and what governments deliver. Investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) allows fossil fuel investors to file costly claims against public-interest climate action. “The Netherlands has a particular responsibility,” he says.

That is because the Netherlands is one of the main players in the ISDS system. It has 70 active treaties with ISDS provisions, and with 140 known cases, Dutch treaties account for almost 10 per cent of all ISDS cases worldwide. Only the United States has more. Claims under Dutch treaties add up to around €97 billion, and €17 billion has already been paid out. That money comes out of public budgets at home and abroad, especially in the Global South, and could have gone to climate action.

What we hope COP31 delivers

• A meaningful role for locally led adaptation in climate finance decisions

• Proven flexibile funding models for organizations on the frontline like the PAPeS Small Grants Fund for grassroots agroecology and the Global Alliance for Green and Gender Action (GAGGA) taken up as mainstream

• A fair, well-financed path out of fossil fuels, with wealthy countries moving fastest

• Commitments to end harmful investment treaties, including in national transition plans

• Companies held responsible for the damage they cause

Our Team at the COP

Both ENDS will be represented at the COP by our colleagus Fernando Hernandez and Daan Robben. Fernando leads our trade and investement work, while Daan leads the climate finace work.

Connect with us in Antalya
Will you be at COP31? We would love to see you. To meet our team, contact Daan Robben (locally led climate finance) at d.robben@bothends.org (10-21 November) or Fernando Hernandez Espino (trade and investment) at f.hernandez@bothends.org (12-21 November).

Events Both ENDS is co-hosting (All times are Türkiye time (TRT)

Reimagining trade for an equitable and just transition
Thursday 12 November, 13:15–14:45
Room 8 (Bergama) | With IBON International
Who sets the terms of the energy transition, and who bears the costs, from trade rules to mineral deals. Speakers include UN Special Rapporteur on climate change and human rights Elisa Morgera.

Unblocking Climate Action: Ending ISDS to Deliver the Transition Away from Fossil Fuels
Monday 16 November, 16:45–18:15
Room 3 (Zerzevan) | With Global Justice Now
What governments can do to stop investor claims blocking climate action. With Hon. Ralph Regenvanu, Climate Change Minister, Edidiong Dickson, Policy Alert (Nigeria), Coert Fossen, Groninger Bodem Beweging, (Netherlands), Fernando Hernandez (Both ENDS) and a senior Australian government representative. Moderated by Dr Stephanie Triefus (Asser Institute).

Funding locally led agroecology: the case of the PAPeS Small Grants Fund
Wednesday 18 November, 11:30–12:30
Senegal Pavilion, Blue Zone | With IED Afrique
How a small grants fund gets money straight to grassroots agroecology groups in Senegal. In French.

Events Both ENDS is co-hosting with the GAGGA Alliance
Both ENDS is one of the three core members of the Global Alliance for Green and Gender Action (GAGGA), which puts women-led climate solutions centre stage.

Extreme Heat, Gender and Climate Justice: Why Women-Led Action Matters
Saturday 14 November, 11:00–11:30
Press Conference Room 2, Area D4 | Organised by GAGGA
GAGGA launches its latest report on the gendered impacts of extreme heat on health and livelihoods, and the women-led community solutions that build resilience.

D&C Days at COP31: A look into the future

Saturday 14 November, 16:30-17:30 followed by reception

The Resilience Hub at the ALL IN Pavilion

We explore how to bridge the gap between grassroots movements and formal climate negotiations on locally led adaptation.

Beyond Participation: Resourcing Women-Led Climate Solutions
Wednesday 18 November, 16:45–18:15
Room 1 (Gordiyon) | With Vital Voices, NIDWAN, NTFP-EP, Mama Cash and Dhaatri
Women and youth from Asia, Africa and Latin America on why their work must be resourced and treated as a strategic partner in delivering the Belém Gender Action Plan.

Where else will you find Both ENDS at the COP?
Both ENDS and GAGGA partners also speak at these events.

Nature Security and Women-Led Resilience in a Changing Climate
Monday 9 November, 14:00–15:00 | UK Pavilion | Organised by DEFRA
GAGGA partner Emem Okon (Kebetkache, Nigeria) speaks.

The Evidence Is In: Women, Climate and the Future of Health
Tuesday 10 November, 08:00–09:30 | TED Countdown House | Organised by Project Dandelion and Wellcome Trust
GAGGA’s new research on extreme heat.

Bridging finance and implementation: from catalytic grants to sustained ecosystem-based climate action
Monday 16 November, 11:30–12:30 | IUCN/WWF Pavilion, Blue Zone | Organised by the Global EbA Fund
Daan Robben presents Tides are Changing, a people’s plan for ecosystem-based adaptation in the tidal rivers of southwest Bangladesh.

Frontline Women’s Health in the Climate Crisis
Wednesday 18 November, 10:30–11:30 | WHO Pavilion | Organised by WECAN
GAGGA speaks about how climate change and fossil fuel extraction affect women’s health, from pregnancy to mental well-being and care burdens.

To learn more about our COP31 asks, read this detailed interview with our colleagues.