Attending

Once you have arrived and settled into your accommodation, it is worthwhile to review your personal risk assessment to keep fresh in your mind the risks you identified and the response plans you made. When we get caught up in the excitement of being at a big climate event and fighting for our causes it is easy to lower our guard, potentially exposing us to greater risk.

Wellbeing

Attending an international event is an exciting opportunity to speak out for climate justice and further your cause. However, it can also be a daunting and intense experience that may take a toll on you physically and emotionally. Here are some tips to take care of yourself and those around you during COP.

You can also check out our Wellbeing Pocket Guide.

Take care of your physical health.

Ensure you eat well, stay hydrated and get enough sleep. Between jetlag and late nights it is easy to over do it. If you are tired, your ability to make decisions and respond to stress is reduced and your physical health may suffer.

Meet your needs.

Make sure to take time to replenish your energy, either by making time for yourself or by spending time with people who bring you joy. Calling a friend or family member at home can help to ground yourself if you are feeling homesick or isolated.

Take time out.

It can be hard to disengage when attending a big event which fills your social media feeds and all your conversations. Spend some time each day focusing on something unrelated (e.g. reading a great novel, watching a favourite show or listening to music).

Reach out for help.

Keep an eye out for signs of stress. Are you feeling overwhelmed or bad tempered, struggling to sleep, or relying more on unhelpful coping mechanisms like alcohol or tobacco? If you or someone you know is struggling, contact your delegation lead or reach out to the Safety Hub for information on available wellbeing support.

Look out for each other.

Check in with those around you. Is a member of your group seeming withdrawn or struggling to cope? See if there are ways you can support them.

Physical Safety

While we hope climate events are safe spaces for all YCAs attending, it is difficult to anticipate how authorities will react to any planned actions which may take place around COP. As such, it is important to be prepared and act with caution.

Overall Safety

Be aware of your surroundings. If something feels unusual (e.g. someone appears to be behaving strangely, or you suspect someone may have accessed your room without your permission) trust your instincts and share your concerns with someone you trust, for example, your delegation organiser.

Your physical safety and wellbeing are intrinsically linked. Here are some factors to be mindful of.

  • Be mindful of your valuables, keeping them discreet and not on display. This is relevant, even in locations where crime rates are relatively low.

  • Sexual, gender and identity-based harassment and discrimination, including racism, can take place in any location. If you experience harassment, reach out to someone you trust for support and consider if you wish to report the incident. See also the section on additional considerations for women, BIPoC and LGBTQIA+ participants. 

  • Maintaining sobriety reduces numerous potential risks. Check the laws around consumption of of alcohol when visiting a new place and be aware that being intoxicated in a public place can be considered a crime.

  • Take care if engaging in sexual relations, ensure mutual consent and use protection. Be mindful of your physical safety and make sure you are in a space in which you feel safe and can leave if necessary. Be cautious about what information you reveal about yourself or your work to people you don’t know (including people you have met in your hotel, at social activities, participating at the event, or through apps).

  • Consider who can hear your conversations. It is easy to relax when surrounded by friends and fellow activists. But remember that there may be people participating in the same event who oppose our mission. Consider who could overhear your conversation and make sure to only hold sensitive conversations in secure and private locations.

  • Consider who can view your device screens. Be careful about visiting websites, working on documents, or being on sensitive online meetings while in public spaces. You may wish to get a privacy shield – an inexpensive plastic screen guard that prevents your screen from being read by from anything but a direct angle.

  • Buddy up. Where possible, stick together in pairs or small groups. This is especially important when travelling or participating in actions. It is useful to keep in touch and arrange check ins if you need to travel alone.

Planning and Participating in Actions

Countries have very different laws governing demonstrations. If you are responsible for organising a demonstration, be sure to know what permissions you need to have in place and what local regulations might apply.

When planning for actions it is important to consider your security openly, ideally with your whole group. Risk and safety is an incredibly subjective and personal topic. What one person feels is an acceptable level of risk, may feel too dangerous for another. Ensure that all members feel comfortable with group plans and are not pressured to take risks they feel are unacceptable. Here are some key principles to bear in mind:

Mitigation: You cannot eliminate risk completely, but you can take steps to understand and reduce it.

Responsibility: You are responsible for understanding the situation you are entering into, and the potential consequences of your decisions and actions in that context.

Self-sufficiency: You are responsible for your own safety and preparedness.

Solidarity: Act in accordance with what is best for the group.

At COP (and other UN events) be aware that a different set of rules apply inside the Blue Zone. Demonstrations must be registered with UN officials and will only be permitted in specific areas. Unregistered actions can result in debadgement for everyone present, as well as anyone accredited by the same organisation (even if they did not attend the action). When preparing for actions inside the Blue Zone, keep in mind that you are not allowed to name (or target) any specific company or government. All action items (like posters or banners) must be registered and could be prohibited, especially if they break this rule.

Exercise – Creating a Plan for Actions

Together with others who will participate in the action, think about:

  • What is the purpose of the action and how will you seek to achieve it?

  • If you are not the organiser, who has organised it (do they have permission from authorities, do they have a planned briefing you can attend, information on social media, etc.)?

  • Who is likely to attend: Might there be counter-protesters? Groups who may escalate tensions?

  • Is there a planned route, procedure or objective? If possible, visit where the action will take place in advance. Are there escape route(s) if things escalate?

  • What tactics may be used/what developments may occur based on what you know of the event and the local context?

  • What risks can you anticipate and how will you respond to them? Consider what you can do to either minimise the likelihood that they will occur or to reduce their impact if they do.

Make sure to prepare:

  • A check-in schedule with someone you trust who is not attending the action.

  • A plan for your participation, including who will be your buddy at the action and what you will do if you become separated.

  • Rendezvous or safe meeting points

  • A list of your emergency contacts written down on paper or on your body.

  • A bag packed with supplies (water, snacks, sunblock and clothes to protect against the sun, phone and charger, items to protect your eyes against teargas, bandana, any medicines you may need.)

Responding to Risks at Demonstrations

While severe crackdowns on demonstrations that take place at international events are uncommon, it is always possible that a peaceful demonstration escalates or becomes violent through the actions of either the authorities, individual activists or infiltrators. The following provides some basic information and links to more comprehensive resources.

  • Avoid wearing contact lenses if there is a risk of tear gas, and pack goggles and a bandana or mask to cover your mouth and nose. If tear gas is used, identify the direction of the wind and turn your back to it. Do not run or panic. Know that you will be okay. Do not touch your eyes. When you are in a safe place, rinse your eyes with clean water. Do not use milk. When you can, wash your body with soap and water and change your clothes.

  • This is when police restrict the movement of a group of demonstrators, for example, by blocking both ends of a street or encircling the group.

    Be aware of your surroundings and listen closely to any signals given by the authorities that kettling will happen. If you hear this signal, you go to another place. Walk calmly without drawing attention to yourself. Tell your buddies/group what you are doing and why. Do not run or cause alarm for others.

  • A stampede can occur when everyone gets nervous and the group starts to run, resulting in possible injury if people trip or fall.

    Staying on the periphery will help avoid being caught in a stampede. If you are caught in a stampede, try to stay standing at all costs. If you do fall, protect your face and head. Be aware of the direction of the crowd and always, try to move sideways out of the crowd - not forward with the crowd.

  • Identify the direction of the cannons, and move out of the way.

  • Get your body low to the ground and behind cover. Certain dispersal methods can cause permanent injury or death. The closer you are to the weapon, the more harm it can cause. Do not invoke a chase.

  • Drop to the ground. Find cover that cannot be easily penetrated by live rounds, e.g. concrete walls.

  • Try to remain calm and comply with requests or orders to avoid escalating tensions. If you are asked questions, give basic relevant information, but avoid saying more than is needed. Your buddy (or you at the first opportunity) should contact your delegation organiser or the Safety Hub immediately.

Check out this toolkit for more information on preparing for escalations at demonstrations

Legal Considerations

As you prepare, it is important to consider not only the context, but also the laws and regulations inside the event space and in the country that is hosting it. Look out for specific Know Your Rights guides which summarise key information.

Beyond knowing your rights, it is also important to understand how interactions with authorities may play out. Are police, border guards or state security officials likely to respect your rights? Or is it better to comply with their demands and avoid escalating tensions?

At large international events, countries are often sensitive to how they will appear in the eyes of the international press and may take a more lenient approach to some topics and behaviours (e.g. LGBTQIA+ rights). While officials in event spaces and at airports may have been given specific instructions regarding their conduct in light of the event you are attending, this may not apply outside of the main event area. Be additionally cautious in interactions with local officials outside of the event area, or if you are travelling in the country before or after the event itself.

If attending COP, it is also useful to read the UNFCCC’s Code of Conduct to be aware of the expectations inside COP spaces.

Communications and Internet

The location of your event may have significant implications for electronic communications. Be prepared that data and network availability and speeds may vary. During large events or actions, the volume of users can also affect connection speeds for both WiFi and mobile data.

In most places it is possible to buy a local SIM card on arrival, for example at the airport, however you may be required to register the SIM with a valid personal identification document. If you intend to use roaming while abroad, check with your telecoms provider before departure for coverage and costs.

Device, Communication and Document Security

Around the world, governments are known to use digital surveillance techniques against activists. As such, it is wise to take steps to ensure your communications stay private. Some more restrictive governments have also been known to locally restrict or shut down the mobile network in response to demonstrations or to prevent live reporting.

  • Keep all your sensitive communications to an encrypted app (Signal is the most secure, followed by WhatsApp and Telegram (if using the secret chat function).

  • In places where active censorship exists, you may find your access to certain apps and websites is blocked (e.g. local and international news websites and websites of human rights organisations). To use or access blocked apps and websites you will need to use a VPN. Blocking is not always transparent and you may not immediately realise your access is being censored. instead it may appear to be a technical issue. However, not all VPNs work in all countries. The use of VPNs may also be banned. Check online for up to date recommendations.

  • These may reveal sensitive information about your sexual orientation or gender identity and result in increased risk if noticed during a device search.

    In countries where homosexuality is criminalised, avoid using dating and hook up apps for same-sex dates. Authorities have been known to use dating apps to entrap LGBTQIA+ individuals.

  • Past social media posts might also be viewed if your device is searched.

    Depending on the context, statements critical of the host government, its policies, current or past human rights issues and the treatment of activists could have serious implications (e.g. interrogation, arrest, deportation, or possible legal charges).

    Think carefully about what you post online during the event and consider deleting old posts that might draw unwanted attention. Think also about whether your posts may raise your risk profile when you return home.

  • Using a device with firewall enabled, a recent operating system, and ensuring any updates are installed is an effective way to reduce this risk.

  • For example, USB thumb drives or hard drives belonging to people you do not know or trust. These may contain malware that could damage your device or give others access to your information.

  • Leaving your devices in public areas, even briefly, or in order to charge them, means an untrusted person could access them.

  • Consider your devices, but also notebooks and materials. If you suspect someone has accessed your room or looked through your stuff, inform the relevant member of your group.

  • Mobile apps are typically well firewalled, and only have access to the data you allow them (e.g. contacts, location, microphone, etc). These restrictions are more reliable on iOS devices than Android, and on updated mobile devices than on devices that haven't been updated for a while.

    Take the following steps to minimise risks to your digital security when using these apps:

    1) Do not grant any permissions that do not make sense for the purpose of the app (e.g. camera for an app that shouldn't take pictures or read QR codes).

    2) Do not grant access to contacts or your microphone, especially if you use your device for organising actions. If these permissions are mandatory and you must use the app, take significant precautions. For example, by wiping your phone of important data like your contacts before granting the app permissions, and by keeping your phone turned off when not not needed.

    3) Restrict location access. If you have a newer Android or iOS device you can restrict location access to only when using the app. If you have an older device you may need to manually go into settings and disable location services for the specific app when you are not using it.

    4) Be aware that any personal information you enter into the app could get into the hands of the authorities. This is mostly dangerous when paired with other data access (e.g. contacts, microphone, location, etc.).

Review the Digital Security Checklist for more guidance on how to keep your devices and communications secure.

Talking to the Media

Speaking to journalists and broadcasting your campaign on social media is an important way to raise up the voice of your movement. However, sometimes the things we say in the media can carry risks. The more aware we are of these risks, the more likely we are to make risk-conscious decisions around what we say on public platforms.

The most effective way to manage risk is to come prepared. Think in advance of what you would like to say if you get the opportunity to speak to the media and rehearse your key messages. Talk with an activist friend (and any others that you think could provide wise guidance) to get their opinions both on your campaign messaging as well as on possible risks and benefits. In addition to thinking about your strategic messages, you can ask yourself:

  • If I make this statement, could this create risk for anyone/any group in particular?

  • Are there alternative ways to phrase this that maintains the integrity of my message but reduces these risks?

Practice for interviews with journalists. Keep in mind that you do not need to answer questions you don’t feel comfortable with or which you think may put you or others at risk. You can always decline to answer or redirect your answer to share what matters most to you.

While shaping media plans around campaign priorities should be your main starting point, here are some considerations you can take to consider safety in your plans for talking to the media or campaigning on social media during an event:

  • Knowing the specific risks for speaking up in your country is important. For example, if your country is known to have anti-foreign sentiments, it is advisable to limit the links you make publicly to a global movement.

  • No matter where you are in the world, anything you say may trend and capture the attention of the authorities in your home country. While it may feel safer to make statements about powerful players in your home country when you’re abroad, you should assume that whatever statements you make will be seen and heard by authorities before you return home.

  • To reduce chances of being targeted, you should consider speaking generally about a ministry, party, or group in power, rather than criticising specific individuals.

  • One tactic to offset threats or pushback from those in power is through taking a positive frame in your demands and asks - such as recognising positive progress, if any. If this approach aligns with your strategy and position, think about whether you can phrase criticisms constructively. For example, “My government took an important step towards environmental justice by passing the Environmental Restoration Act last year. It is now time to turn this law into action on the ground and close the destructive drilling projects in my region”.

  • Remain aware of your surroundings and location when there is filming nearby - your voice or actions may be inadvertently captured. Similarly, if you are being interviewed on video or photographed, be aware of signs or slogans in your background.

  • Remember that whether your message is published online or shared to a journalist, it is extremely difficult to retract statements once they are on the record. Similarly, while documenting demonstrations or actions consider, especially when live streaming, that videos or photos uploaded online cannot necessarily be removed - it is easy for others to copy your video and repost it without your permission. Ensure you have a system of consent for attendees to opt-out of being photographed or filmed. You should also be aware of any relevant local laws or event regulations (see Legal Considerations).

MAPA Voices in the Spotlight

It is important to consider the risks to those we invite into the spotlight - to speak in the media, at an event or demonstration, or online.

In our campaigning, we often strive to raise up the voices and stories of those most affected or vulnerable to the impacts of the climate crisis. It is important we consider the additional risks that those most affected face in their campaigning. Often, individuals - particularly from MAPA - are aware of their own contextual risks. So before putting someone in the spotlight, discuss together: are there ways we can ensure the stories of those most affected are heard, without undermining anyone’s personal safety?

Key Risks: Attending

  • Mental health and wellbeing challenges arising from participation

  • Identity-based harassment by members of the public or by authorities

  • Surveillance (physical or digital)

  • Public social media posts or statements in the media monitored, drawing unwanted attention from authorities

  • Violence or harsh crackdown at an action

  • Arrest detention or deportation in relation to activities defined as illegal