But UN session in Switzerland ends with ‘moderate’ signs of progress
GENEVA, Switzerland, 13 February, 2015 - Governments from around the world concluded their first, crucial climate talks of the year in Geneva today with ‘moderate’ signs of progress that they will agree a new climate deal in Paris in December.
But if the Paris deal is to truly address the climate crisis, and protect the needs of the world’s poorest people, governments still have a mountain to climb, says CARE.
Sven Harmeling, Climate Change Advocacy Coordinator at CARE International said:
“On the plus side, governments more or less accomplished the task they were given this week, and they leave Geneva with a draft negotiating text for a new global climate treaty. But, they’ve still got a mountain to climb if they’re going to turn the text into an ambitious blueprint to help fix the climate crisis. Extreme political engagement and intense negotiations will be needed in the coming months if countries are to find common ground.”
“CARE International welcomes the unprecedented attention on how climate change is affecting people’s basic human rights. Yet, the critical issue of climate-related loss and damage is still at risk of being axed. If the needs of the world’s poorest people are to be fully met, governments must commit to delivering climate action which protects human rights and gender equality at all costs.”
“There’s still time for governments to agree an ambitious political package and make 2015 the year of hope for millions of people and countless communities who are already being hit by climate disruption. CARE wants to see a rapid transition towards climate-friendly development and increased divestment from fossil fuels. We also want far more support for the poorest to help them prepare for negative climate impacts, with a particular focus on sources of food and water.”
CARE also calls on countries currently preparing to deliver their emissions reductions commitments - known as INDCs - to put ambitious proposals on the table as early as possible this year.
Harmeling says: “The latest climate science is nothing short of alarming. The EU, the US, China and others must not lose sight of the need to keep global warming to 1.5 degrees C as they set out their INDCs, and take their fair share of the burden. These commitments will set the tone for the rest of the world, so the weight of responsibility rests on their shoulders.”
The Geneva session set out to make progress on the draft treaty text which forms the foundations of the Paris climate agreement, build on discussions at COP20 in Lima, and formally adopt the draft treaty as the basis for this year’s critical climate negotiations.
After five days of mainly constructive talks, the draft text now contains contributions from all states. However, this has meant the text has ballooned to 86-pages, meaning much work remains to ‘streamline’ the content if governments are to make further progress and agree a final document, line-by-line.
The next round of negotiations will take place in early June, in Bonn, Germany.
Media contacts:
Jo Barrett, [email protected] or Sven Harmeling, [email protected]
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