COP14, COP/MOP4
RICH COUNTRIES DODGE DECISION ON ADAPTATION FUND
Friends of the Earth International
MEDIA ADVISORY
POZNAN, POLAND, 4 December 2008 - At the UN climate talks in Poland, industrialised countries are dodging the issue of funding poorer countries' adaptation to climate change.
An expected outcome of the climate conference is an increase in the sources of revenue for the Adaptation Fund - the Kyoto Protocol's only fund for enabling developing countries to adapt to climate change.
According to developing countries, as well as most civil society observers including Friends of the Earth International, the size of the Adaptation Fund is woefully inadequate.
Despite calls for additional funds to be raised for a number of years, the EU, New Zealand and Norway have been avoiding the issue in Poznan by pushing back the deadline for committing money.
Friends of the Earth International Climate and Energy Campaigner Stephanie Long said:
"Poorer countries face an increase in storms, floods, famines and droughts due to climate change, yet the pot of money that rich countries have put aside to deal with this is almost empty.
"The Adaptation Fund was finally agreed and established one year ago. Yet to date, developed countries have pledged less than US $300 million to it, a tiny fraction of the US $86 billion the UN says is needed.
"To get a strong and fair deal in Copenhagen there must be trust between industrialised and developing countries - rich countries dodging their obligations on adaptation could jeopardise the whole agreement."
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT IN POZNAN:
Stephanie Long, Friends of the Earth International Climate and Energy
Co-coordinator: +48 698 327 785 (valid only until 13 December 2008)
Friends of the Earth International media line: +48 662 964 285 (valid only
until 13 December 2008); or +44 7921 039636
NOTES:
1. Under the UN climate change convention, industrialised countries are obligated to pay full costs for adaptation to climate change.
2. The Adaptation Fund is a pot of money governed by the UN, to which developed countries are encouraged to contribute. This could fund, for example:
. Agricultural support: Farmers may have to switch to different crops, or use new irrigation schemes if their traditional crops can't survive anymore due to climate changes.
. Investment in clean water: New wells and pipe systems will be needed to provide clean water where water becomes salinated due to changes in the water table.
. Healthcare: Malarial zones will shift due to climate change and in low-lying countries like Bangladesh, water-borne diseases will spread faster due to increased flooding.
3. The EU, Norway and New Zealand have suggested that the discussion on adaptation funding moves from the Ad hoc Working Group on the Kyoto Protocol (AWG-KP) to the Ad hoc Working Group on Long-term Co-operative Action (AWG-LCA). AWG-KP decisions could take effect immediately, whereas AWG-LCA decisions would only be finalised as part of the Copenhagen agreement in December 2009.
