A fund to alleviate the suffering caused by climate change is vital

2023-11-02 14:13:05
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As negotiations over how to finance and manage an international loss and damage fund teeter on the brink of failure before the COP28 climate summit begins later this month, Ann Harrison, climate change policy advisor at Amnesty International, has declared:

“UAn operational and effective loss and damage fund that can help communities shattered by catastrophic weather events recover can be a matter of life and death for people facing the serious consequences of global warming, such as droughts, floods, sea ​​level rise and loss of livelihoods”.

“It is shameful and deeply worrying that since the parties agreed to establish the loss and damage fund almost a year ago at the last COP in Egypt, consensus has yet to be reached on a proposal for how this fund should be financed and managed. background. This week provides a final opportunity for members of a key working group to agree recommendations for the fund at a meeting scheduled for November 3-4 in Abu Dhabi.”

“Amnesty International calls on the parties to take this opportunity to reach an agreement on the establishment of a fund that puts human rights at its core. Such a fund must provide full, rapid and effective remedy and reparation for all damages caused by climate change to affected communities in developing countries, which are typically already marginalized groups.”

“Historic greenhouse gas emitters should make the largest financial contributions to the fund, with additional funding based on the polluter pays principle. Since the fund should provide grants rather than loans to prevent further indebtedness of developing countries, and to ensure that all developing countries in need are eligible for financing, the fund should not be managed by the Bank. World.”

Any agreed proposals on the fund must be ratified at COP28, the United Nations’ annual climate conference, to be held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from November 30 to December 12.

The Conference will bring together 198 parties to address the global threat posed by climate change. Amnesty International Secretary General Agnès Callamard will attend COP28 from 1 to 6 December.