Press |

December 12, 2015

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Advocacy

Paris, France. Today the world reached a landmark moment in the fight against climate change at COP21, but it is still not enough for the world’s poorest people, says humanitarian aid organisation CARE International.

“The Paris Agreement gives a ray of hope to the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people on the frontlines of escalating climate impacts, but its significance depends on governments’ ability to deliver on the promises made in Paris today. The fight to build a climate safe world is not yet over.”

Philippe Lévêque, Executive Director, CARE France

“The climate vulnerable countries, supported by the civil society, led the way to increasing the ambition of the climate deal. The inclusion of the 1.5°C temperature limit in the agreement is a big win for the world’s poorest people. Now governments must accelerate the shift away from fossil fuels to renewable energies, and avoid false solutions which threaten people’s food security.”

Ruth Mitei, Advocacy Advisor of CARE International’s Adaptation Learning Programme for Africa

Sven Harmeling, Climate Change Advocacy Coordinator of CARE International said:

Politics block progress on loss and damage

“Climate change is already causing devastating impacts for poor people around the world. Developed countries politicised the issue of loss and damage in the Paris talks, trying to limit options for poor countries to deal with climate threats. With the Paris Agreement, all countries promise not to leave the poor behind. Developed countries now leave Paris with an even higher moral obligation to rapidly cut their emissions and scale up financial support for the most vulnerable people.”

Battle over human rights and gender equality

“Civil society and a broad coalition of countries fought hard to ensure that human rights and gender equality are enshrined in the Paris deal. The Paris Agreement can be a springboard for strengthened action on human rights and climate change, if all countries deliver on their promises.”

The fight for climate justice isn’t finished

“The next five years are critical for scaling up climate action across the world before the Paris Agreement comes into force in 2020 and to deliver the promises made in Paris. The climate problem has not yet been solved; as the poorest and most vulnerable people will continue to bear the brunt of climate impacts, CARE will continue the fight for climate justice.”