The world leaders are gathering in Copenhagen to close the negotiations on a climate agreement. But the status of the negotiations is messy and a fair deal seems to be out of reach unless leaders take action.
COPENHAGEN (December 16, 2009) – Humanitarian organisation CARE expressed shock today that climate change negotiators have deleted commitments in their draft texts to prioritize the needs of the world’s most vulnerable people.
Heading into the final hours of negotiations at the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, CARE is deeply concerned by the deletion of financial commitments targeting the world’s most vulnerable communities. We are equally disturbed by the exclusion of poor and vulnerable people from the governance of adaptation funding.
‘All the talk about giving the most vulnerable people a say in how they adapt to climate change has given way to a draft agreement that renders them virtually voiceless,’ said Dr. Robert Glasser, Secretary General of CARE International.
`Poor people, who are least responsible for the problem, will suffer the most from its effects. For this reason, they have a right to participate, at all levels, in decisions about responses to the climate change crisis. This is especially important with respect to the governance of adaption funding, as well as the transparent, accountable allocation of adaptation resources.’
This setback comes after developing nations stalled negotiations, saying their concerns were being ignored. The talks have resumed, but so have fears that poor people will be the ones to lose out in the end.
‘Forget fears of a walkout. Poor people around the world are facing a ‘talk-out’ in Copenhagen. Their future hangs in the balance,’ warned Dr. Glasser, speaking in Copenhagen.
Specifically, CARE is urging delegates to assure that any final agreement includes:
• Language prioritizing the world’s most vulnerable populations. Otherwise, adaptation resources are unlikely to reach the people who need them most;
• A country-driven, gender-sensitive approach. Women shoulder the greatest burdens of climate change and are best positioned to help their families adapt.
• Languages guaranteeing that all relevant stakeholders are involved in making the decisions that matter. For adaptation programs to work, vulnerable people must participate in decision-making that impacts their community at all stages of adaptation, from design to implementation to monitoring and reporting. This will assure inclusiveness and ownership.
• Strong near-term and long-term financial commitments to help poor communities strengthen their resilience to the impacts of climate change
CONTACTS
Copenhagen
Marie Sisse Brown, +45 53 72 72 40, [email protected]
Sandra Bulling, + 45 53 11 26 44, [email protected]
Robert Glasser, CARE International General Secretary, is currently in Copenhagen and available for media interviews.
CARE is a leading aid organisation with more than 60 years’ experience fighting global poverty and delivering emergency assistance. In 70 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.