COPENHAGEN (December 9, 2009) – World leaders have failed to agree on an ambitious, fair and binding climate deal in Copenhagen. "What came out after two weeks of negotiations is hugely disappointing to all of us and in particular to the world's poorest people", said Poul Erik Lauridsen, Climate Change Advocacy Coordinator for CARE. "It is clear that the 'Copenhagen Outcome' will not keep the world on track to stay well below a 2 degree warming nor deliver sufficient funding to enable people living in extreme poverty to adapt to the impacts of climate change."
"We are faced with a very costly delay, costs measured in human lives, and in dollars. The world cannot afford more delay in tackling climate change, which is already causing floods, droughts and hunger in developing countries. Leaders might fail to agree on ambitious action, but we cannot fail poor people", Lauridsen said.
However, according to CARE it is not the time to play the 'blame game' and push responsibility for the lack of results in Copenhagen around. "This will not get us anywhere. We need to move forward - rapidly. Pointing fingers will not help poor and vulnerable communities that face a changing climate", Lauridsen says. "We must strengthen our resolve and keep working towards sealing a fair and ambitious deal in 2010. Poor and vulnerable people cannot afford delay."
Lauridsen points out that although Copenhagen has failed to deliver the ambitious agreement we need, it is not the end of the road. "The world still expects political leaders to deliver a real climate deal. We now have more hard work ahead of us to finalize and reach a legally binding global agreement in the coming year. Science is very clear and we have to act. It is fundamental that we all keep working to protect the lives of the poorest and most vulnerable people who suffer most from climate change."
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.
Contact information:
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]