Climate Change, Poverty & Development

1. Climate Change, Poverty & Development Challenges for faith-based agencies, the Churches and their agencies! Nelson Muffuh Christian Aid

2. Some basics • Climate change is happening – global warming is taking place at an alarming rate • It is essentially man-made • It is affecting people – particularly in developing countries • It is a global emergency requiring urgent action. If we act now, we can make a difference

3. Why Christians should be involved • Poverty: it is affecting poor people and poor countries • Development: we need sustainable development • Justice: crisis has been caused by rich nations and rich people • Moral & theological issues – we can and must do something about it

4. Minu Basar: 38 year old mother from coastal village in Bangladesh

5. Triple Crisis • Poverty & Inequality • Threat from Climate Change • Lack of political will & global leadership • Minu Basar has scarcely emitted a single tonne of CO2 in her life

6. What is the challenge – if the world is to survive? • To cap global emissions • To enable people in developing countries to have a future • To get an equitable, globally accepted Climate Change agreement • We cannot ask poor people and developing countries to bear the burden of our challenge

7. The UNFCCC • Asks all to play a part in avoiding a climate catastrophe • How may this work? • Greenhouse Development Rights (GDRs) • Core UN principle of responsibility and capacity

8. GDRs have come up with some basic principles • Big cuts fast in the rich world • No offsetting of the rich world cuts • Binding cuts for the rich world on top of their domestic obligations • Sharing important technology • Countries to adapt to Climate Change • Measurable cuts in poorer countries

9. So what action can we take to tackle Climate Change? • Make the UN process work – churches, CSOs, peoples’ movements, development and environmental agencies • Climate Change should become an urgent political issue in which corporations, governments, international agencies must be challenged

10. Key Dates • December 2007 – 13th UNFCCC negotiations • April 2008 – Bangkok Climate Change Talks • June 2008 – Climate meeting in Bonn • August 2008 – Climate meeting in Ghana • December 2008 – Climate meeting in Poznan, Poland • Several (at least 8weeks) of climate talks spread out throughout 2009 • December 2009 – Copenhagen Climate Conferences (COP15) • End of 2012 – Deadline for ratification of a new Climate deal

11. So what can we do as an ecumenical family? • Faith-based stakeholders can continue their long history of involvement • Take leadership • Focus on influencing, supporting and accompanying the UN process: • Demand a fair agreement • Strong and vocal leadership from churches • Empowered and well-informed delegations from the South making a difference at the UNFCCC negotiations

12. What else can we do? • Work towards equity, poverty eradication and sustainable development • Help provide a theological, moral and ethical framework • Encourage personal choice • Keep up pressure – it works! (focus on UN process)