Donor countries should raise up to 2 billion US dollar (11 milliarder DKR) to help vulnerable, poor countries adapt to climate change, according to a report titled “Closing the Gaps” submitted to the UN Thursday.
“As a first step, we urge donors countries to mobilize 1-2 billion dollar to assist the vulnerable, low-income countries, which are already suffering from climate impacts”, particularly in Africa and small island states, said the final study by the Stockholm-based Commission on Climate Change and Development (CCCD).
The commission urged donors to honor their official development assistance (ODA) commitments.
In addition to the commitment of 0,7 percent of Gross National Income (GNI) for ODA, it also called for new and additional climate adaptation funds without affecting ongoing development programs.
In the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change of 1992, wealthy nations pledged to help poorer nations adapt to climate hardships created for them by others.
“Unless this pledge is honored, the poorer countries will not agree to a post-2012 global framework on climate change”, the commission said.
Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told a meeting in New York on the CCCD report that effects such as droughts, floods, storms, forest fires and melting glaciers hit the poor most.
– Billions of people are at risk. That is why adaptation (to climate change) is a key element in the negotiations for a new climate deal, noted he.
Ban said simple community-based measures can save lives, such as early warning systems, disaster planning and improved management of crops and land.
Kilde: www.worldbank.org
Se også http://www.IRINnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=84455
