COP21 Global leadership must seize critical opportunity for climate safer world

Next Monday, Heads of States and representatives from almost 200 countries will gather in Paris to negotiate a new universal climate deal to cut greenhouse gas emissions and tackle climate change. The COP21 UN climate talks are a critical turning point. This is the moment when governments can decide whether to commit themselves to a fossil fuel free, safer and more prosperous future, or to continue ‘business as usual’ with increasingly dangerous climate change impacts.

Ahead of the COP21 climate talks, Wolfgang Jamann, Secretary General and CEO of CARE International said: “Putting a stop to climate change is not beyond us and we have all the resources needed to change the course of history. Our message is clear and simple: we cannot fight poverty, or the manifold humanitarian crises, unless we take urgent action to tackle climate change.”

Speaking at the French capital, Philippe Lévêque, Executive Director of CARE France said: “There couldn’t be a more important time to work for climate justice and the peace it will help bring. Civil society groups are showing more determination than ever to meet the challenges facing the world with hope, not fear.”

CARE International expects an ambitious and just climate agreement from Paris talks

As world leaders arrive in Paris, Sven Harmeling, Climate Change Advocacy Coordinator of CARE International, outlines what CARE expects from governments at this critical meeting:

“CARE also backs the call of 106 climate vulnerable developing countries and hundreds of civil society organisations to keep warming below 1.5°C. The 1.5°C goal should be part of the COP21 climate deal, as it is the only viable option to guarantee safety – 2°C is simply too much.”

“Many countries still disagree on key issues, such as how to pay for the worst impacts that are hitting the poor and vulnerable the hardest. We also know that the frequency and severity of climate disaster will keep on rising. The Paris Agreement must establish a process for scaling up public finance for preventing and responding to climate shocks, beyond the levels expected as part of the USD 100 billion promised for 2020.”

“CARE wants to see gender equality and human rights as guiding principles of the new agreement. At CARE we work with many women, who are leading climate change adaptation actions in their communities. For example, they are using and sharing new farming techniques to make sure they can provide nutritious food for their families in a changing climate. The Paris Agreement must ensure that climate actions guided by these principles and protect the livelihoods, food and nutrition security, and the rights of food producers in developing countries.”

Governments in Paris have a hefty task ahead of them, but CARE expects leaders to seize the critical opportunity to set the world on a safer and more equal pathway.

More information on CARE International’s vision for a climate-safe and poverty-free world can be found in the new report Sealing a Fair and Just Climate Deal for the World’s Poorest People.

A number of CARE International’s climate change experts from Denmark, France, Germany, Kenya, Niger, the UK, the USA, and Vietnam will be available for interviews throughout the COP21 climate talks in Paris.