Climate change agreement Do not put people in brackets

In Copenhagen, climate change negotiators must not ignore most vulnerable people

COPENHAGEN (December 13, 2009) – While the World is closely watching negotiations on finance and emissions reductions poor people are at risk of losing out in the Copenhagen Climate Deal. “In the negotiation text the term ‘vulnerable people’ is still written in brackets. That means negotiators haven’t decided whether their needs will be prioritized”, says Poul Erik Lauridsen, CARE’s Advocacy Coordinator on climate change. CARE International warns that this would be disastrous for poor people who are already facing the dire consequences of climate change.

“We are worried that the important words that prioritise the needs as well as the full and effective participation of vulnerable people will be taken out in the current closed door negotiations”, states Lauridsen. “This is a scandal for the poorest people who contributed least to climate change.” During the first week of negotiations in Copenhagen, delegations from small and poor countries were marginalised and outnumbered by bigger players such as US, EU, China, India and Saudi Arabia who dominate the negotiations. “Poor people need committed Parties right now to speak up for them and secure their future”, Lauridsen appeals.

Last week, no commitment was made for a massive scale up of funding for climate change adaptation in developing countries. However, in poor countries there is a great need for financing important adaptation measures so people can survive the impacts of climate change. “Poor people need long term financial commitments. But money is no silver bullet”, Lauridsen points out. He warns that national governments and multilateral organizations often make their decisions regarding the funding and implementation of adaptation measures without hearing the voices of poor and marginalized groups. “Poor people must be heard. We can’t put them in brackets”, says Lauridsen.

For further information or interviews, please contact CARE Media Coordinators:
Marie Sisse Brown: +45 53 72 72 40, [email protected]
Sandra Bulling: + 45 53 11 26 44, [email protected]

CARE is a leading aid organisation with more than 60 years’ experience fighting global poverty and delivering emergency assistance. In 72 countries, CARE works with the poorest communities to improve basic health and education, enhance rural livelihoods and food security, increase access to clean water and sanitation, and expand economic opportunity. Our long-term development assistance and emergency relief initiatives are currently benefiting about 55 million people around the world. In response to the growing crisis, CARE is helping the most world’s most vulnerable communities adapt to the impacts of climate change.