What are the action agreements?

All groups/individuals participating in actions on D12 and wanting solidarity from others, will need to respect and adhere to the ‘Action Consensus‘. This is a document has been co-written by many of the actors/organisations which outlines the modes of action that are planned to take place and which have to be agreed upon by participants. The purpose of this consensus is to enable participation from a diversity of people, calls for determined disciplined disobedience, no property destruction and rules out tactics which provoke escalation by police. Police violence cannot be ruled out of course, but we are clear from the start that it won’t be us causing it.

Where do I go to get briefed on the action?

Everyone should attend a briefing or training to confirm where to go and all action agreements. Action briefings in both French and English will be held every morning and evening starting December 7 at the Climate Action Zone (ZAC). In addition there will be two trainings each on Saturday December 5 and Sunday December 6 at the Citizen’s Climate Summit. Click here for locations, languages and start times.

NB:  Final D12 briefings with all final details will take place at 1 pm or 3pm at the Zone Action Climat in English.  French briefing will be at 1pm in at Salle Croizat, Bourse du Travail, Rue du Chateau D’eau (métro République).  Please attend one if you intend to participate.

Get the guide to street safety and logistics in Paris

The D12 team has put together a guide to safety in Paris that includes information on health issues, street safety in protests and resources in the city.

Click here to get the guide in English

Cliquez ici pour le guide français

What is the Climate Summit in Paris?

2015 is on track to be the hottest year in recorded history, and this December hundreds of world governments will meet in Paris to try to strike a global climate agreement. It will be the biggest gathering of its kind since 2009, and it’s a big moment for the global climate movement.

So far, however, commitments from world governments just aren’t adding up. This has the makings of a global failure of ambition — and at a moment when renewable energy is becoming a revolutionary economic force that could power a just transition away from fossil fuels.

On the other hand, this could be a turning point — a shift in power away from the industries causing the climate crisis and toward people fighting for climate justice.

But only if we push for it.

Why take action at the end of the summit?

This is not the only  mobilization happening during the COP. This one will show what the climate movement is marching forward, no matter what our leaders have accomplished at the talks. We’ll be amplifying the voices of  the most impacted countries at a key moment of the negotiation, making clear the last word on climate change will not belong to politicians, but to us.

What are the legal implications of joining these actions?

The French government has instituted a 3 month state of emergency following the terror attacks on November 13, and have gained extraordinary powers as part of the emergency laws. We will keep you informed of the evolving legal situation as we understand it. Please attend a briefing for the latest.

You can also click here for a guide to some of the legal changes in France, but please note that it is not official legal advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. When should I arrive?

We’re encouraging people to be in Paris as early as possible to have enough time to engage in briefings for the action and to help with final preparations in case you wish to get more involved.

If you can’t be in Paris that early then please aim to arrive no later than Noon on December 11. We’ll send out final location details to everyone who signs up shortly before the event. Sign up above to make sure you don’t miss out.

Q. Why do you need my contact details?

We need your contact details to keep you up to date with developments as we get them and help you plan your involvement.

Please note that you don’t have to use your real name and we will not share your details with anyone else. Your details will not be visible on the website.

Q: What is a red line?

Red line =  what you think a minimal necessity for a just and livable planet is. More specifically: a sustainable energy transformation, justice for impacted people, the right to food and water.

In order to avoid dangerous climate change we know we must keep at least 80% of known fossil fuel reserves in the ground. We must completely decarbonise our economy before 2050. Keeping these fuels in the ground is our movement’s red line: a minimal necessity for a just and livable planet.

We know that even if a Paris agreement sends a clear signal that the world is turning away from fossil fuels, our politicians aren’t going to do the job for us. No treaty in Paris will be enough. We need to show that people are ready to take matters into their own hands. We need to show that our movement is committed to take direct action to turn off the fossil fuel industry.

Q: What do we want to achieve?

At the last major climate summit in Copenhagen in 2009 the only thing that world governments managed to agree upon was that warming must be limited to 2 degrees above pre-industrial levels. We need to at least hold them to this while pushing for more. Key to achieving this target is to ensure that at least 80% of fossil fuels stay in the ground, by completely decarbonising our economy by 2050.  It’s clear even now that any deal coming out of Paris will fall way short of catalysing the action needed to ensure that happens, so it’s up to us as a movement to take the lead.

Q: What if I’m not in Paris?

You can join a D12 solidarity action — or host your own — by clicking here.

After the talks, whatever is decided, we’re all going to have to work together to avoid those red lines being crossed. By clearly stating what is required, and using the action to bring together social movements, the action in Paris can prepare the ground for meaningful action post-COP21, through 2016.

Accommodation and Travel

Accommodation

For many months, the climate coalition has been negotiating with the authorities to host the many thousands of people coming to Paris this December. The City of Paris and the French government are now refusing to offer enough accommodation for our needs, but we will keep pushing (and thank you to everyone who signed our petition to the Mayor of Paris).

At the moment there are no guarantees, so it’s a good idea to find and book your own independent accommodation if you can. 

Here are some suggestions:

350.org Tent Village.  We have reserved 150 beds in a secure, insulated tent village in Central Paris for divestment campaigners wishing to stay together in one space. €72 for the week

PLACE TO B is offering dorm, double and twin rooms for either the 1st or 2nd week (or both) of the COP, starting from €268 per week per person.

HUMAN HOTEL is matching climate activists with Parisians opening up their homes for up to 3 nights per person from 4-7 and 10-13 Dec, for a donation of €40.

MODERATELY PRICED HOTELS AND YOUTH HOSTELS – Coalition Climat 21 has produced this list of establishments in Paris whose prices are below €30 Euros a night.

COUCHSURFING or AIR B’n’B could also be options to look at.

For more information please see the Coalition’s accommodation page too.

Travel

From the Netherlands: the Fossil Free network are organising a bus trip (5 days) and Friends of the Earth Netherlands are organising buses and a cycle trip (2 days). More detailed info in Dutch here.

From the UK: Time to Cycle are cycling to Paris, and Reclaim the Power and People & Planet are organising coaches. You can also organise your own travel by train or bus. More detailed info here.

From Germany:  A range of groups are organising coaches to Paris. For November 29 Global Climate March buses leave from: Düren, Berlin and Prague (via Frankfurt). For December 12, buses go from: Berlin, Leipzig & Frankfurt , Wendland, Nürnberg and Regensburg, and Hannover.

From all over Europe: if you’re planning on joining the Climate Games there are 20+ buses planned from all over Europe by Climate Express, plus a train from Brussels. Climate Express are also listing independent groups organising cycle, hike and even kayak trips.

We’ll be adding to this list over the next few days, including buses from Sweden and Denmark. If you’re aware of other transport options we could share here, please get in touch.