26 June 09
Today, the government's climate change department DECC announced their 'Road to Copenhagen' manifesto. In it they outline the kind of deal they will be pushing for in the climate talks over the rest of this year, culminating in 'COP15' in Copenhagen this December.
The Prime Minister also outlined a plan for providing developing countries with finance for adapting to and mitigating against climate change.
Gordon Brown urged countries to work together to provide a global figure of around $100 billion per year by 2020 to help developing countries reduce their emissions, tackle deforestation and adapt to the climate change already being experienced. He also committed the UK to providing new finance additional to existing aid commitments.
Reacting to today's announcement Tearfund’s Advocacy Director Paul Cook said:
“Finally we are seeing a developed country talking about numbers which, if genuinely new money, begin to approach the level of funding developing countries desperately need to respond to climate change.
“However, the total number needs to be ramped up further and must be 100% additional to current aid commitments. What’s more delaying on delivery is not an option as poor countries need to see this money now, they can’t wait until 2020.
“The principles of equity, additionality, predictability and a stronger role for the UNFCCC in managing the funds are a step in the right direction. However rich countries will need to up their game even more if we are going to get a strong and fair deal in Copenhagen.”
Today’s announcement represents a real step forward on the road to sealing a strong and fair climate deal in Copenhagen this December. It is a recognition by the government of all the campaigning Tearfund supporters and others have done - they have heard us!
However, just because the UK has begun to show the leadership so desperately needed on climate change, it doesn’t mean we can let up on the pressure. In fact, we are encouraged by today’s announcement to be even more committed to urging the government to raise its ambitions. There will be no fair global deal if developed countries do not live up to their responsibilities and demonstrate the level of ambition and political will to act.
Finally, whilst this leadership from the UK Government is a welcome step forward, Tearfund stresses that:
- At least $150 billion a year needs to be provided by developed countries to developing countries. This must be in addition to finance generated by the carbon markets and existing aid commitments, as this would constitute double counting. The UK’s fair share of this would amount to $6 –7 billion per year.
- The money needs to be delivered as soon as possible.
- Money for adaptation must be provided in the form of grants and not loans