The Climate Action Network selected Japan and 8 other countries for its Fossil of the Year awards, criticizing the absence of their leaders from COP31. Reports also said that loud booing broke out at an event modeled on an awards ceremony.
The Climate Action Network, a global network of environmental organizations, announced on the 10th that it had selected Japan and 8 other countries for its Fossil of the Year awards. The reason given was that the absence of the countries' leaders from COP31 was viewed as "a dark sign for international cooperation."
The recipients included Japan and Germany, as well as France, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Ireland, the Netherlands and Canada. An event modeled on an awards ceremony was held at the COP31 venue, drawing loud booing from participants.
The network said of the 9 countries that "COP31 is no longer important," and argued that wealthy countries have a responsibility to provide funding and support to developing countries amid the damage caused by large-scale mudslides in Nepal. The Climate Action Network comprises organizations from more than 130 countries.
The network typically announces the Fossil of the Year awards several times during each COP, and this year's awards expressed skepticism about the global system of cooperation.