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Climate change campaigners from Oxfam, CAFOD and Tearfund delivered chocolate gold bars to the Treasury with a message for Chancellor Alistair Darling.
The chancellor will join other EU finance ministers at a vital meeting in Luxembourg this week to discuss how to help developing countries adapt to the effects of climate change and to provide funding for their low carbon development.
Europe has promised money to help developing countries, but is refusing to say how much it will provide.
Lots of technical discussions are going on, but there is no political agreement on how the money will be raised, whether it will be additional to aid already committed and who will control its distribution and use.
The UN climate change talks in December are a crucial opportunity for the UK government to step up as a global leader on climate change
The campaigners stood on the steps of the Treasury and unfurled a banner that read: “Be a treasure and fund adaptation”. They handed out Fairtrade chocolate gold bars and information about the climate change campaign to over 350 Treasury staff.
CAFOD's Lucy Hurn explained “The poorest have done the least to cause climate change, yet they are already experiencing its effects. The UN climate change talks in Copenhagen in December are a crucial opportunity for the UK government to step up as both a European and a global leader on climate change, securing funding for low carbon development, as well as for adaptation.”
Helen Heather from Tearfund added “In order to seal the deal at Copenhagen, the UK must commit to providing reliable funding for adaptation. The Treasury must play its part in making this happen.”
Oxfam Campaigner Lisa Rutherford said “The UK government must ensure that adaptation funds are both fair and adequate. The funds must be in addition to existing aid commitments, with no harmful conditions attached”.
