Don’t drop the ball: Over 10,000 cards go to Osborne!
Did the UK drop the ball at Durban? foo
You ensured that the UK took a positive stance, but more commitment is needed to deliver long term finance for the poorest people.
What we asked for:
UK to provide its fair share of climate finance to help the poorest adapt, and outline where this money will come from.
What we got:
The UK reiterated its pledge to give £1bn in short term climate finance until 2012, but has given no detail on long term support. There was no international progress on specific sources of finance and the UK has not made clear how it plans to raise the money.
What we asked for:
UK government to champion the setting up of the Green Climate Fund.
What we got:
The Green Climate Fund was set up and this was a good step forward. The UK needs to continue to play a role in ensuring this delivers long term funding to the poorest communities.
What we asked for:
UK to channel their climate money through the Fund.
What we got:
No progress on this as yet.
And what about the Kyoto Protocol?
The EU and several other developed countries agreed at Durban to a second commitment period of the KP. However, the length of the commitment period and its legal status is unclear – and seriously underestimates the urgency of this crisis for the poorest people.
On a seasonally cold Monday morning on 28 November, CAFOD Director, Chris Bain alongside CAFOD supporters and staff came together outside 11 Downing Street to present Don’t Drop the Ball action cards to George Osborne.
Throughout the summer, CAFOD supporters, be it in your pews, parishes, at festivals or in faith groups across England and Wales, have been getting behind the campaign. And your calls to the chancellor – urging him to champion a Green Climate Fund at Durban as well as finding innovative forms of finance for the fund such as a Robin Hood Tax – have now been handed in on Monday.
10,000 gave their names
Thanks to your support, we were proud to deliver over 10,000 cards to 11 Downing Street.
CAFOD Director, Chris Bain said, “It shows that people care, that they are really serious about climate change. It shows that they are really serious about those countries who have contributed adversely to climate change playing a part in finding solutions. It shows tremendous concern – it’s a wonderful achievement of our campaigners and supporters in getting George Osborne to listen.
“At the core of our faith is a sense of loving your neighbour. As well as the small acts of charity, it’s about addressing the long-term problems that cause suffering to our neighbours.”
CAFOD campaigner Rachel McCarthy, 22, who joined us outside Number 11, said, “It’s very exciting to be at the heart of a campaigns hand-in. It’s an incredible opportunity to represent all CAFOD supporters in England and Wales and the people who CAFOD works with throughout the world. It’s a chance to raise our voices together.”
People are part of this government
Anthuanette Hidalgo, 36, from Peru who also helped with the hand-in was unequivocal about why putting your name to a campaign is vital: “I believe in citizenship – participating. Signing a card is an invitation for people to feel that they are part of this government, part of our society and that they actually have a voice. I truly believe this. A lot of countries don’t have the opportunity to take part in democracy like this.”
Hand-in coincided with Durban
The hand-in took place on the same day as the start of the UN climate change talks in Durban – a timely reminder for the Government to show clear leadership in South Africa on climate finance and the move towards agreeing a binding deal on climate change.
CAFOD’s Parliamentary Adviser, Dominic Goggins, also joined the Downing Street hand-in. He said, “I speak to Government every day, but nothing compares to thousands of CAFOD supporters speaking with one voice. Being able to come to Downing Street today means that voice is heard. The global economy is in turmoil, the Chancellor is only a day away from making his Autumn Financial Statement to the country, yet CAFOD supporters new and old have reminded him of his promise to the poorest and most vulnerable people in the world. As an ordinary CAFOD supporter like the other 9,999 others who took this action, days like today make me incredibly proud.”
