CAFOD Responds to Chris Huhne's plenary address in Durban
UK Energy and Environment Secretary Chris Huhne addressed the Durban climate delegates today, in a plenary address advocating a global deal on climate change and a second commitment period to the Kyoto Protocol.
CAFOD's climate analyst Dr Sarah Wykes said: "The fact that Chris Huhne is keeping his head and backing a strong second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol, while others around him lose theirs, is impressive. The UK's positive stance here in Durban counters the nay-sayers back home who have suggested there must be a choice between dealing with the immediate dangers of the economic and Eurozone crises and the long-term global threat of climate change.
Read the text of Chris Huhne's address>>
"At a time when other nations, such as the US, are supporting a slide to a 2020 deadline for a legally binding agreement, Chris Huhne is digging his heels in for 2015. This is to be commended.
"But within the list of financing commitments DECC has announced and Chris Huhne took time to reiterate during his speech, the UK must do more than tip their hat to commitment to long-term finance for the Green Climate Fund. The Secretary of State must press for other nations to join him in laying out plans to bridge the financing gap post-2012. Developing nations feeling the brunt of climate change need resources to cope with their changing environments and the UK must now lead on the delivery of how the Fund will be filled."
