Climate: talks fail to turn down the heat or help the most vulnerable
At the close of UN climate talks in Doha, governments have taken only the smallest of steps towards a global deal on cutting the emissions causing climate change, says aid agency CAFOD. There has also been no progress on funding to protect the world’s poorest communities who are worst hit by a changing climate.
In advance of the talks, CAFOD, as a part of the CIDSE and Caritas Internationalis networks representing 180 Catholic development agencies, called for all countries to take responsibility for reducing greenhouse gas emissions through reaching a global agreement by 2015. Action is even more urgent given new research showing the world is heading for dangerously high levels of warming.
Emissions cuts
Developed countries, primarily responsible for the problem, should lead by ensuring the continuation of the Kyoto Protocol. This is the only legally binding agreement on cutting emissions currently in place, even though it only covers around 15 per cent of global emissions.
At Doha, some governments agreed a second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol running to 2020, but others did not sign up and those joining set targets too low to prevent dangerous levels of warming.
Climate finance
CAFOD and CIDSE also called for developed countries to clarify what funds they will provide from 2013 onwards to help poorer countries impacted by climate change. Governments need to increase current levels of financing steadily from 2013 to meet commitments given at earlier talks to provide US$100 billion a year by 2020.
At Doha, there were welcome announcements on climate finance from the UK and some other EU countries but no collective agreement. This leaves the poorest exposed to the dangers of a changing climate, with no guarantees of future help.
Dr Sarah Wykes, CAFOD's lead analyst on climate change, said: “Against the backdrop of the hundreds of thousands of families in the Philippines hit by the destructive force of Typhoon Bopha, rich country governments collectively turned their backs on those who have nowhere to hide from extreme weather.”
Impact on food and farming
Finally, the talks failed to discuss the importance of tackling the increasing impact of a changing climate on agriculture, particularly on the small scale food producers who we work with.
Clare Lyons, CAFOD’s Head of Campaigns said: "Our Hungry for Change campaign highlights the shocking fact that one in eight people worldwide go hungry every day.
"Yet the lack of progress on agriculture at these talks means that small scale farmers who feed most of the world’s population will receive no further support, even though droughts, floods and erratic rain are making it increasingly difficult for them to put food on the table."
