On the 4th day of the climate change conference, CARE International notes lack of ambition and leadership
Durban, December 1, 2011. On the fourth day of the climate change conference in Durban, South Africa, CARE International recognises that some key negotiating parties have not come prepared to tackle the growing climate crisis. Discussions have begun on critical areas put the Cancun Agreements into operation, including on national adaptation plans, a loss and damage work programme, and information systems on safeguards for REDD. However, there is a clear lack of ambition and lack of leadership by key countries to agree on a second commitment period for the Kyoto Protocol of no more than five years and a mandate to negotiate a long-term, legally binding climate regime.
“Operationalisation of the Cancun Agreements is within reach, but parties have a lot of work to do in the remaining week and a half to accomplish that“, says Tonya Rawe, Senior Policy Advocate for CARE USA. “Delay is not an option. For the sake of the poor and vulnerable people in all countries, parties must agree ambitious emission reductions to keep global warming well below 2 degrees. Otherwise, adaptation efforts will never be sufficient, because we will keep pumping the water out of the boat instead of sealing the leak."
Developing countries are bearing the brunt of climate-related natural disasters such as floods and droughts, and their poor and vulnerable populations are disproportionately impacted by the effects of climate change. Developed nations are also increasingly affected by climate change impacts, in terms of economic and human costs. However, the lack of capacity and resources to adapt and to respond – as well as to develop – among poor populations in developing countries exacerbates the severity of climate impacts. “The continued delay and lack of leadership that we currently see here in Durban are akin to playing a dangerous game with the planet’s future and the lives of vulnerable people around the world”, Rawe says. “Without leadership on the part of big emitting countries - leadership that reflects historic responsibility and current capability - we will fall short of securing a sustainable and equitable future for the most vulnerable populations, and in fact, for everyone.”
CARE’s experience working with poor and vulnerable people shows that local communities are not waiting but are acting now to adapt to impacts they already see in their environment. However, they cannot solve the climate crisis alone nor can they adapt their way out of a problem other countries created. “Parties must keep their shoulder to the wheel and their eye on the prize. To say it with the words of Nelson Mandela ’It always seems impossible until it’s done’”, Rawe urges.
