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Climate change threatens to destroy gains made in poverty reduction in many developing countries. In Africa changing rainfall patterns are already affecting food production and rising temperatures are increasing exposure to malaria. The impacts of these changes are felt most by the poorest people who have done least to cause them.
Substantial funding will be needed to help poor countries tackle climate change. This funding must be additional to pledges already made for development assistance because developing countries are not responsible for the emissions which have caused climate change and the estimated costs cannot be met from existing development assistance or national budgets. The Government should make clear that it stands by the principle of new, additional and predictable funding support for climate change responses in developing countries.
There is a danger that the current economic crisis could derail efforts to tackle climate change and increase the risks it poses for developing countries. On the other hand, it could provide an opportunity to chart a new "greener" growth strategy in developing countries if the right approach is adopted and the necessary funding is forthcoming.
Climate change should be central to the Department for International Development's (DFID's) work in developing countries. However, we found that limited progress had been made on ensuring that climate change informs all policy decisions ("mainstreaming"). There are a number of welcome initiatives and new projects but DFID must now move on from discrete projects to establish comprehensive climate change programmes.
Poverty can lead to resource degradation and hinder appropriate and timely responses to climate change impacts. Sustainable management of the natural resource base upon which many poor people depend for their livelihoods is therefore vital. DFID has recently renewed its focus on water resources management. It should now consider the creation of marine and forestry management strategies to ensure that these sectors can continue to contribute to economic growth, in a sustainable manner, for the benefit of current and future generations.
Developed countries should ensure that actions taken to reduce emissions do not impact negatively on developing countries. While aviation emissions must be tackled, this should be done in a way that at least does no harm to developing countries. Tourism and export horticulture are important contributors to poverty reduction in many poor countries. These sectors should be supported to increase their pro-poor benefits and reduce their climate change impact.
DFID has identified low carbon development as a priority area in its White Paper consultation. There is a pressing need for more research into low carbon options which are appropriate for poor countries and for mechanisms to facilitate knowledge and technology transfer. DFID should ensure that this is a focus for its new Centre for Climate and Development. However, emphasis on low carbon development should not displace efforts to meet the basic energy needs of the poorest people.
In December 2009 the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change will meet in Copenhagen with the aim of finalising the framework for a new agreement on climate change for the post-2012 period. The conference needs to secure international agreement on ambitious emissions reduction targets and substantial funding to assist developing countries in responding to climate change. These objectives should be central to the positions the Government adopts in advance of the conference.
Much of the impact of climate change could be reduced by strong mitigation efforts. Conversely, delayed or lesser emissions reductions will significantly constrain the opportunities to achieve lower stabilisation levels and increase the risk of more severe climate change impacts. Action is therefore needed now on emissions reductions. The UK should show strong leadership and commit to setting and meeting more stringent emissions reductions targets.
Urgent action is needed on adaptation to avoid consigning developing countries to greater poverty and hardship. Providing finance to help developing countries adapt has been slow and very little has gone to Africa. Agreement will not be reached in Copenhagen unless developed countries accept their responsibility to provide new and adequate funding to poor countries to help them respond to climate change. The UK must make clear its commitment to this ahead of the Copenhagen summit, and should encourage the multilateral agencies it supports to do the same.
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